The Backpack Adventures

Week 96: August 28 – September 1, 2023 Day 665: August 28, 2023 Monday – Rumoi It’s the start of my 96th weekend as an ALT under the JET Programme . Today, it would be mostly cloudy according to the weather forecast. Thankfully, the temperature would only be around 27 to 28 degrees. Rumoi High School 8.28.2023 Like my usual Monday work schedule, I’m back at Rumoi High School . Before work, I checked essays from Matsuda-sensei's classes. I'm happy to share that a lot of the students wrote good essays. This marked an improvement from the first time I saw their writings months back.  Here’s my workload for today: Essay checking in the morning Collaboration work with Sengoku-sensei during the second period. 2nd period – Video Project Presentation @ 3-4 of Sengoku-sensei Playtime with Ella and Kai After work, I spent time bonding with my children. It's a perfect way to relax after a long day at work.  Day 666: August 29, 2023 Tuesday – Rumoi It’s going to be a sunny day, but t...

The Yohtaka Andon Festival ( 夜高あんどん祭り ) of Numata is one of Hokkaido’s most popular summer festivals. This event is held every fourth Friday and Saturday of August in the town center of Numata. Yohtaka Andon Festival Yohtaka Andon Festival Details The Yohtaka Andon Festival in Numata is a must-see summer spectacle and one of Hokkaido’s three major andon (paper lantern) festivals . This vibrant event lights up the warm summer evenings with towering and beautifully designed lanterns parading through the city streets. It is a celebration of art, tradition, and community spirit, offering an unforgettable cultural experience. Yohtaka Andon Festival - Numata town, Hokkaido Prefecture A Tradition Rooted in History The festival traces its origins back 350 years to the village of Tonami in Etchu, where a procession welcoming the deity of Ise Jingu inspired the practice of carrying lanterns to illuminate the deity's path. This tradition found its way to Numata, Hokkaido, in 1977...