Takahashi Inari Shrine, Kumamoto City

I recently visited an amazing shrine not too far from my house in the city. In 3 years, I had not been there and no one had recommended it to me. Just looking at the pictures again, I'm glad I went. It's quite a beautiful place.

Farewell Speech Censorship

I was asked to give a speech for the farewell ceremony by Kumamoto Prefecture to departing ALTs this Friday. I wasn't told to whom or how long I would have to give the speech. I assumed it was only to other (foreigner) English teachers. So here is what I wrote:



Good afternoon. My name is Mark Fingerhut. I am a 3rd year chugakko ALT from Kumamoto City. I have been involved in many of the JET conferences, several workshops, English camps and Kumamoto AJET. I have had the pleasure of meeting and making friends with many of you. I congratulate you on completing your tenure on the JET program.

Today, I won’t talk a lot about my own personal experiences in Kumamoto. I won’t tell you about my numerous waterfall jumps from Amakusa to Yakushima. I am not going to talk about eating snake, dog or kangaroo on my JET vacations. I certainly will not discuss the too often than usual all night benders in the City. Also, I won’t spend time talking about my passion during my time in Japan, the Kumamoto Hash House Harriers.

Instead, I want to talk about how each of us can use our own experiences in Kumamoto, how we can learn from these experiences and put them to use in the future. Please allow me to hopefully be the last person to give you these immortal words: “Every situation is different.” Each of us comes from a different background, have lived very different lives here in Japan, and no doubt will pursue varying paths in the future. However, we will now be linked together with our time in Kumamoto.

I want to suggest that a large part of living in Japan has yet to take place for us. When we reflect on our time in Japan, we should have the proper time and space to do so. No matter where, when or how long we spend in this reflection will obviously vary, but when you do, try to keep a couple things in mind.

First, although some may disagree, we have all gained valuable teaching experience here. I imagine most of us have faced the familiar situation of a teacher asking us to make a fun and interesting activity specifically suited to today’s grammar point 5 minutes before class. At this point you know that the success of your English classes was dictated by the amount of work and energy you put into it. You could see the results of your efforts in the excited looks on the students faces, or more realistically for me, the puddles of saliva forming on sleeping students’ desks. Some of us have been lucky enough to work at multiple schools and have had the chance to work with many different teachers. We have had to adjust to each teacher’s teaching style and adopt a role in the framework of each teacher’s lesson plans, whether it was Mark, the university educated tape recorder or a leader in the classroom. In a word, the art of Flexibility.

My second point is similar, in that simply living in Japan and learning the culture has required a sense of flexibility in many situations. It takes a strong person to live in a foreign culture as we have done. I think that we are all better suited to handle situations of adversity and challenge because of our experiences here in Japan. One should not take lightly the fact that we have lived in a culture as unique as Japan’s. We have faced many challenges and have come out on top. As America’s omnipotent leader George W. Bush says: “It’s incredibly hard work.”

Thirdly, we can all take with us some kind of unique talent or skill that we have learned or developed in Japan. It may be mastery of the language or a martial art. Sure, it was only against shogakksei, but I’ve really become quite a terrific sumo wrestler. Perhaps it’s a skill such as photography, flower arranging or dodging buses on your bike. It always amazes me how people enjoy such varied activities in Japan such as salsa dancing, surfing, capioera, kimono contests, drum lessons, manga or ultimate frisbee. Maybe you take pride in your creation of dynamic and engaging lesson plans. Perhaps like myself, you enjoy exploring the unique landscape and amazing mountains and waterfalls in the countryside. However you have spent your leisure time in Japan will hopefully lead to increased cultural awareness and personal development.

Lastly, I could not think of reflecting on the JET program without mentioning friends. Although I was lucky enough to join my brother in Japan for my first 2 years, many of us came to Japan not knowing anyone else. We have formed countless friendships and relationships with our co-workers and fellow JETs. The amazing people we have befriended will forever populate our memories of Japan. We only hope that the kindness we have received can some day be repaid in some respect. Although we may not present future visitors to our house with a plate of raw horse swimming in wasabi-tinged soy sauce, we can offer hospitality nonetheless. Whether it is inviting a teacher to visit your hometown or providing a home stay for a student of yours in the future, we can continue our relationships with those we have met from Japan.

We have indeed formed unique bonds with other ALTs. Perhaps more often when we first came to Japan than recently, we may have felt as though we were placed on this small island with people speaking a strange language with strange culture and manners. Most of us have formed very strong bonds with other foreigners cast into the same situation. We have been comforted and entertained by each other. We’ve been travel partners, drinking buddies, givers of advice, mentors, sources of inspiration, teammates and most of all, friends. While many of us will remain friends and in contact after our time in Japan, we will see others only in our memories. Let us say thank you to these friends and wish them the best of luck in the future.

I would like to end my ramblings today with a couple quotes from others who have said it better than I or George W. Bush can ever hope to. The first is from author T.S. Eliot.

"We shall not cease from exploring and at the end of our exploration, we will return to where we started and know the place for the first time."

The next is a very special quotation commonly invoked in various situations throughout the English speaking community in Japan. Its use peaked during the tenure of my brother, one Joe Fingerhut. It has many meanings, but today I offer it as advice to you, something to remember above all things as you continue on your respective journeys from this day forward:

“Let’s enjoy.”

Good Luck to you all. Thank you.




I thought it was decent. It was an honest view of a lot of aspects of our job. I tried to keep it light and add a few jokes in there. So I faxed it to the Prefecture for review. My supervisor called me this morning and said I had to change it. (1) It was too long. (2) I wasn't to mention George Bush. I was told the speech would be for the governer of the Prefecture. Fine, point taken. Here is the compromised, watered down, censored other version:



Good afternoon. My name is Mark Fingerhut. I am a 3rd year junior high ALT from Kumamoto City. I have been involved in many of the JET conferences, several workshops, English camps and Kumamoto AJET. I have had the pleasure of meeting and making friends with many of you. I’d like to thank the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education for this opportunity to speak. I congratulate you on completing your tenure on the JET program.

Even though many of us will soon leave Japan, I believe a large part of living in Japan has yet to take place for us. The way we remember our experience here and how we use those positive experiences in the future is a large part of our internationalization. When we reflect on our time in Japan, we should have the proper time and space to do so. No matter where, when or how long we spend in this reflection will obviously vary, but when you do, try to keep a couple things in mind.

Many of us have received overwhelming kindness from host families, neighbors, co-workers and friends. When we first arrived in Japan, our transition was very smooth thanks to the energies of our supervisors and English teachers. Any difficulties or questions we had at the beginning were quickly taken care of with kindness and general efficiency. From whatever part of Kumamoto Prefecture you lived in, I am positive you received endless help and hospitality from those around you. We should never forget this.

There are many positive aspects of Japanese culture that we can take with us. I am sure we have all witnessed how much time our fellow teachers devote to their jobs and to the students. I hope our co-workers long hours and strong work ethic inspire us to devote all of our energy to whatever path we pursue.

Also, we should think about Japan’s commitment to internationalization. We should be grateful that we have been able to teach within the public school system and have contact with so many students. Although every student will not choose to pursue the study of English, I am positive we have increased interest in international cultures and awareness of a world outside Japan.

On behalf of all JETs present here today, I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us during our time in Kumamoto. I want to thank Kumamoto Prefecture for honoring us with these certificates. We may not realize how much the Prefectural Board of Education and the International Affairs section has done for us, but let us take this time to say thank you once again. I would also like to express my appreciation for our supervisors, who have worked tirelessly to make our lives as smooth as possible.

I urge everyone to enjoy your last few weeks on the JET program. Instead of thinking about leaving, think about all the amazing experiences you have had in Kumamoto and put that much more energy into everything you do your last few weeks. Good Luck to you all. Thank you.



If this one doesn't work, I give up.
Which do you like better?

A decidedly sub-par Hash

I apologize for not posting so much recently. Adam has got some good stuff lately, check him out.


If you click on the picture, I added several notes to tell you who the immortals are.
On Saturday June 18th, the Miyazaki HHH contingent put on their 2nd Miyazaki City Hash. The day had potential for greatness as 25 hashers gathered in a vending machine graveyard for the start. Among the 25 were 7 immortals, an astounding 13 hash virgins and an unprecedented 7 nihon-jin. Hash vet Emily and Stiffulis Hige were the hares.

After the virgins were thoroughly soaked with beer, the pack set out to follow the sparsely marked trail through several rice fields and snake-ridden backwoods before being spit out in the suburbs. After several dead stops and hard-core checking, they finally followed the path through the breathtaking Heiwadai Peace Park. Finally, the first beer near. 3 beers and 2 bottles of sports drink had to appease 23. By then the group was well-spaced out and winding through the labyrinth of city streets. Here is where things got hairy. As the hash approached its 3rd hour, the lead group, about 5-6 of us, followed the trail through Miyazaki Shrine and the surrounding park and struck out towards downtown. The second wave of people reached the shrine as darkness bagan to fall and could not pick up the trail from the Shrine. Myself, Andy and Hi and Squeaky stumbled on for another hour and eventually found the abandoned Home. Several others were lost on the trail between the Shrine and Home. As Stiff Hige and Emily took calls of distraught hashers and proceeded to pick them up, another 2 hours pas
sed. When everyone was retrieved and deposited back at the Shrine, it was about 9pm. We had started the Hash at 3.

I am not one to dwell on the negative aspects of a hash. It was just a rather ambitious trail for weekend warriors and especially for the large number of hash virgins. I think the hares underestimated the number of people coming out and overestimated their abilities. The hash should be a mildly challenging course with an emphasis on fun, drinking and the partying afterwards. Like Stiff Hige said later, it's a steep learning curve indeed. Here's to a successful Miyazaki City Hash in the near future. The highlights:

-Great turnout and lots of virgins, great job promoting it everyone.

-More Japan natives than have run a hash before. 4 local high school boys joined the run as well.

-The Heiwadai Peace Park and the Miyazaki Shrine were incredible settings to run through. Great scouting.

-For the first time ever, there was no religion; therefore no immortalizations.

-10 of the 25 hashers were from Kumamoto. Way to represent and get your rat out!

On a personal note, I refuse to leave Japan and have this be my last hash. Therefore, I will gladly come out of retirement to set a course. It's gonna be held on Sunday, July 17th, 2005. (It's a 3 day weekend) It shall be known simply as "The Professor's Return". The starting box will be in front of Kumamoto Station at 1:30 pm. Plan on an exciting course with some crazy twists and stunts like you've never seen before. If you are in town, come on out for it. Let's show them Miyazakians how to hash!

the great Kumamoto quarry jump

My pursuit of waterfalls to jump off has taken me all around Kyushu Island. However, one of the best jumps is so close to my home. Here you see me demonstrating a not-so-fundamentally sound jump into an old quarry, which is conveniently located near downtown Kumamoto (you can see downtown in the top right).

My brother and I first discovered this place on a tip from a local man who is famous for going down the stairs to the local bar on his hands. Trust me, it's awesome. We had only heard of people jumping it, never saw it. So naturally, unintelligently, we jumped right in. I can only guess how deep it is. The water seems to be clean enough... In addition to jumping here on several occasions, we ended a hash here and with drunken teamwork, we managed to push a couple thousand pound boulder over the edge and into the abyss. Still one of the coolest moments in Japan.

I post this because since last fall, the powers that be have decided to make this into a park. In the past, we had to access the quarry by walking through some dense bamboo forests, a very inaccessible, well-kept secret. The secret is apparently out. They have tore out the forests and foliage and built a road up to the quarry. They built a huge drain in the water to regulate the level. The even built a staircase down to the water so people could take a proper swim. (We all know how much Japanese people love swimming in cloudy water--not much). I hope to get another jump in here sometime, but it's a little hard when they are working on the place all the time. Another spot down.

Bund Tunnel, Shanghai

Recently, I've had a little time (and extra space on Flickr) to upload some old photos. I've wanted to put more pictures up from my past 3 years in Japan and my vacations around Asia. So stay tuned for more.


Here is the Bund Tourist Tunnel that runs under the river in Shanghai. My brother Joe, sister Lynn and I enjoyed Beijing, Nanking and Shanghai over Golden Week about a year ago. The first year or 2 I used my camera, I sometimes inadvertantly took photos in the night photo setting. Usually they would just turn out blurry, but sometimes it's a pretty cool effect. This was a slow tram ride on a futuristic rail car with an insane soundtrack. Although we were in China, there was a voice that spoke in very scientific language very softly over some very trippy music/sound effects. If I can remember, some of the terms offered by the pleasant voice were things such as "infinite time", "endoplasm reticulum", "photosynthesis", "synergistic elements", etc. The 3 Fingerhut sibblings proceeded to add our own narration: "premature ejaculation", "bloated intestine", "viscous secretions", etc. We are intercultural lotharios.

Adam's Sumo Prowess

In April of 2003, a large group gathered under the beautiful cherry blossoms of Kumamoto Caslte to celebrate Adam's birthday. As the beers were emptied and the shochu was busted out, Adam accepted the invitation of two drunken, scantily clad salarymen to sumo on the nearby gravel. Though he refused to break out his leopard skin boxers like the fine gentleman above, he partially disrobed for the big event. He proceeded to get tossed onto his back several times before retiring in shame. Adam, mad respect for swallowing your pride on your birthday.

And everyone else, check out Adam's Higo Blog here. Recently he's written some real interesting stuff on the state of Japanese education and his experience in a slightly furyo situation.

A stroll down the Hakuzan Dori

There is a street near my house named the Hakuzan Dori. It is certainly not a historical street. Quite the contrary, it's a suburban nightmare of a (thoroughfare?). I often speed (sped) down this street in my car (R.I.P.) or scooter and take the sights for granted. However, recently, I have reached the point of my career in Japan where I know I should take notice of normal things here and realize they are not so normal in the states, or anywhere else for that matter.

First stop:

There is a very busy intersection, in which the middle of said intersection is placed this rather odd sign. My first year in Japan, I simply thought it was a sign for a restaurant specializing in food from the far north of Japan, islands off Hokkaido. Having studied a bit of history while I have been here, I noticed that there are a few islands in the area that have long been disputed territories with Russia. (See Tsushima War) Upon further review, I noticed this sign was something more political, a patriotic message perhaps. I may be (correct me if I am wrong) off base here, but the sign translated means: "The Northern Islands (Japan's), the day they are returned to Japan, the day of peace." Pretty interesting for a peaceful nation...

Continuing down the street. A newly built attraction, full parking lot 24/7. Huge revenue into the neighborhood. What else? A pachinko parlor.


Noisy machines are the attration here. Slots and pin-ball style games dominate the average man's time and yen. I recently partook in the grand scheme with Manami and one of her friends. This guy knew what he was doing. He helped me out and the three of us ended up winning 5,000 yen in an hour. Not too shabby. I didn't mind it altogether, just a little loud and a bunch of low-lifes hanging around, I mean look at his award winner...


From there, it's about a 5 minute walk to the local used goods store. Here, you can find anything from delicious dishes, to dilligent drum sets. Check the name of the store:

I mean I have to say it. If this store sells used things, what's the name of the store that sells new stuff. Soft Off..? or, eh...