2017/03/07

Hi, this is Novi sharing for HSAA. I am a big fan of Japan's toilet! I just love how clean toilet here, can be found easily almost everywhere. Rarely running out of toilet paper, nice odor, well maintained and high tech. Today I found this toilet in one of rest area in Highway. They have board sign with the light where you can see which toilet is vacant and occupied. Simple but useful!

2017/03/06

Hi, this is Novi sharing for HSAA. March 3 is the Doll or Girl's day where people celebrate it for their daughters by displaying "hina ningyou-emperor's doll" at home and have special meals together with the family. I went to Jyoge, in Mihara Hiroshima, to visit a Hina Matsuri where they display beautiful dolls, many of them hundred years old! They also sell handicrafts, and foods. I love handicraft so much that I always end up with hand full of shopping bags, everytime I visit such event. They...

2017/01/17

Hi this is Novi sharing for HSAA. Well, it’s a sad story that happened to me and I wish not to happen to anyone else. I lost my wallet and everything in it when I was travelling in Tokyo. I blame myself first as careless person, and second to the person who may find it but decided to keep it instead of reporting. Whether it was stolen or found but the founder keep it, is still a mistery. It ever happened to me back in my country too, but what I experienced here as Japan residence have...

2016/12/26

Hi, this is Novi sharing for HSAA. Living in Hiroshima as student for few years, I often get asked by people who are searching for university to study in Japan, about which university to choose, or which Professor to contact.For me personally, this topic has a deep meaning, since I experienced changing my major in extreme way I can say. My study here and back in my country is totally different world. I made it to finish my master study and now in PhD program. It was very challenging and...

2016/12/12

Hi, this is Novi sharing for HSAA Still about rural area. I also learned about how to make broom using the unused rice straw. Actually Japanese have many things that they can make from rice straw like shimenawa (new year decoration) or you may see in temples or shrine as decorations too. This time we learned about how to make broom. The process was quite simple. We were taught by Oasa Junior High School students, in Kita Hiroshima. They learned it before from the sensei who usually decorate...

2016/12/09

Hi, this is Novi sharing for HSAA. Do you know if you are around Hiroshima University Higashihiroshima campus, you don't have to go too far to taste Chicken Kebab (middle eastern food). There is a mobile kebab, a van that stay in Daigaku Kaikan Mae or other area (near bus stop usually) around University. The price is 500 yen. I tried it and it was good to fill my empty stomach after whole day of work! Please try!

2016/12/08

Hi this is Novi, sharing for HSAA. Most of us like udon, agree? But do you know how to make it? I learned it from people in a small town in Kita Hiroshima. And yes, by a traditional method, it requires us to step on the dough, to make it soft (of course we use plastic to cover) :D I call it udon dance! :D It takes around 2-3 hours in total to prepare delicious udon. Since then, I always remember how it requires a lot of effort before our food is served on table. Makes me understand more the...

2016/12/07

Hi, this is Novi sharing for HSAA. Every time I go to Kita Hiroshima, I wish to have time to visit this cafe. Beautifully design by natural ornament, this cafe offers menus with herbs theme. So they have herbs tea, herbs cookies, and other unique tastes of food. Very relaxing atmosphere and the staff are very friendly and they have a cute dog!

2016/12/06

Hi, this is Novi, sharing for HSAA. Being in nature, and get our food by harvesting them by ourselves is a bless. I did this as part of activities in Kita Hiroshima. I work with the people there to develop their rural tourism activity. I will keep postponing what I do there, hope they will be posts that you enjoy !

2016/12/05

Hi, this is Novi sharing for HSAA. It has been awhile since I post my article last time. Life is getting busier especially ending of the year, don't you feel so? It's nice to relax yourself by doing some art or learn new skill. Like I did last time in Kita Hiroshima. We learned how to make stamps. Mine supposed to be cute elephant but was end up as two faces elephant haha. But it's ok, I enjoyed the learning process very much.