Unfollow Follow

+9

Amber Mezbourian

Japan Travel Member

I spent three years living in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher on the JET Programme, not knowing what to expect but with images of Tokyo, geisha and Mount Fuji in my mind. I was placed in Yamagata prefecture in a small rural town that I couldn't find in any guidebook.

I learnt to snowboard, climbed mountains, tried my hand at ikebana and kyuudo and koto, dressed up as a samurai, karaoked til the early hours, become obsessed with onsen, and had countless other adventures and experiences.

For a relatively small country, Japan has so much to offer, and I love nothing better than exploring - particularly heading off the beaten track and into the beautiful countryside. I set myself a personal challenge to visit each of the 47 prefectures, which gave me a great excuse to do a lot of travelling. Although I've now ticked them all off, there's still so much I want to see.

Japan will always be my second home and and I'm looking forward to discovering and learning more for a long time to come.

I spent three years living in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher on the JET Programme, not knowing what to expect but with images of Tokyo, geisha and Mount Fuji in my mind. I was placed in Yamagata prefecture in a small rural town that I couldn't find in any guidebook.

I learnt to snowboard, climbed mountains, tried my hand at ikebana and kyuudo and koto, dressed up as a samurai, karaoked til the early hours, become obsessed with onsen, and had countless other adventures and experiences.

For a relatively small country, Japan has so much to offer, and I love nothing better than exploring - particularly heading off the beaten track and into the beautiful countryside. I set myself a personal challenge to visit each of the 47 prefectures, which gave me a great excuse to do a lot of travelling. Although I've now ticked them all off, there's still so much I want to see.

Japan will always be my second home and and I'm looking forward to discovering and learning more for a long time to come.

Most popular

Goldfish Lanterns in Yanai

Goldfish Lanterns in Yanai

Try your hand at some traditional Japanese folk art

Couchsurfing in Japan

Couchsurfing in Japan

Meet local people, make new friends and share cultures

Gallery

A Peaceful Café in Heiwadai Park

A Peaceful Café in Heiwadai Park

Miyazaki

The Great Wanko Soba Food Challenge

The Great Wanko Soba Food Challenge

Iwate

Arita Ceramic Fair

Arita Ceramic Fair

Saga

Wisteria at Kawachi Fujien

Wisteria at Kawachi Fujien

Fukuoka

The Shimokita Hanto

The Shimokita Hanto

Aomori

Latest articles by Amber

The Great Wanko Soba Food Challenge

The Great Wanko Soba Food Challenge How many bowls of the famous noodles can you eat?

Couchsurfing in Japan

Couchsurfing in Japan Meet local people, make new friends and share cultures

Afternoon Tea at British Hills

Afternoon Tea at British Hills A taste of Britain without leaving Japan

A Peaceful Café in Heiwadai Park

A Peaceful Café in Heiwadai Park Organic vegetarian fare in beautiful surroundings

Fifty Shades of Green

Fifty Shades of Green The vibrant colours of Yamagata's countryside

Latest comments by Amber

On The Great Wanko Soba Food Challenge 2 years ago

I'm not sure if they said it every single time, but I definitely heard it a lot during the course of my wanko soba challenge!

On The Great Wanko Soba Food Challenge 2 years ago

Thanks Mandy, it's possibly my greatest achievement ever. :)

On The Great Wanko Soba Food Challenge 2 years ago

Haha, just make sure you don't eat a lot before taking on this challenge and you'll be fine! It is a lot of fun, even if you feel a bit ill...

On The Great Wanko Soba Food Challenge 2 years ago

Oh no, you were so close! Better luck next time. ;)

On Sado's Dramatic Sotokaifu Coastline 2 years ago

The seagulls were amazing to watch and I really enjoyed feeding them from on the deck of the ferry - it was a fun way to end my trip to Sado!...