This page will be updated as suits our fancy.

As is our prerogative, the Ganbatte Times accepts anything that gets dropped on our Internet doorstep. However, one of the most common phrases we hear is, “I’ve been meaning to write something, but I don’t know what.” With that in mind, we compiled a list for the Indecisive Imogens and Ikes out there. If you only have a line or two, send it anyway. We’ll post it on the Twitter account!

1) Autumn Hit or Miss Travel Tips and Events

As the weather cools down and the old people start handing out sacks of persimmons to unsuspecting passersby, we may find ourselves itching to explore more of this fine country. Tell us where you’ve been that is worth a day or weekend visit! What events are coming up?

2) Sports, News, and Reviews

Give us a play-by-play of how awful/awfully good Ikemen Desu Ne has been. Tell us why Japan keeps changing prime ministers and what the newest model could do for the country. Explain the rules for cheering on our favorite baseball team (How do we learn the chants?), or choose your own topic and write about it. We’re really just throwing stuff out here.

3) House Tours

The lodgings on JET are a mixed bag. Sometimes we move into apartments with nothing more than a futon and a toilet. Sometimes our predecessors leave us so much junk that we have no space to turn around. Are you proud of what you’ve done with the place? Send us some pictures of your favorite elements in your home–especially the DIY successes.

4) Uncomplimentary Postcards

We love Japan. We can’t help ourselves. Most of us also love traveling and being culturally sensitive while doing so. Nevertheless, sometimes we’re unprepared for the more unsavory or quirky aspects of the places we visit or where we live. We’re reviving this from a pre-website PDF edition of the GTimes (that we can’t upload here because the file is too big) because frankly, sometimes you wish the postcards were more accurate. Now you can make your own. If you could give a town or country a new slogan, what would it be? Send us your best captions and a photo.

5) ”I Wish I Had Known…”

We’re collecting anecdotes about the faux pas we make in the language and culture. For example, did you know that when distributing omiyage that you should give it to the highest ranking/oldest individual first? Had someone but told us, it could have saved us some embarrassment in aikido class .

6) Kansai-ben for the GTimes Twitter Account

Share your favorite phrases and expressions. It’s not in our textbooks.

Visit the Contact page for ways to get a hold of us or to submit that awesome thing you just thought of now.