Taras Alexander Sak first came to Japan to teach English, after studying business at university and becoming interested in the growing economies of East Asia.  After living in Hiroshima for a few years, and realizing how little he knew about Japanese history and culture, he returned to the US and to university--including a one-year exchange program in the Kansai-area--and later began graduate studies.  He now teaches American Literature, English and Composition at a Japanese university.  These articles are his personal reflections on various topics related to life in Japan.