Kyoto and/or JET-specific Groups:
Kyoto Association of JETs (KAJET) on Facebook
Stay connected through KAJET by checking the Facebook page, attending events, and updating other JETs on festivals and events that are worth visiting in your town! The Ganbatte Times Twitter account will keep the Twittersphere up to speed with KAJET activities.
For all of your JET-related needs. Plus, find articles at The Voice.
Nara AJET Facebook page (closed group)
Wakayama AJET Facebook page (closed group)
Mie AJET and find the bilingual news site at Mie Life Magazine
Hyogo AJET (Wiki page)
Get outside the JET bubble by participating in We Are One events. With activities held throughout the prefecture, We Are One draws Japanese and international participants alike. They also offer Japanese, Chinese, Cantonese, and French classes. Check out our article on them here.
Tourism, Restaurants, and Events:
“Kansai’s only English magazine” is basically everything that the Ganbatte Times aspires to be, but for the whole region. There are events, classifieds, gorgeous photos, and news, and you can also find out where to pick up a free printed copy!
Kansai Walker and Kyoto Walker
It’s in Japanese only, but a Google translation is mostly understandable. It contains restaurant reviews and information for the vehicle impaired.
“Written by local experts,” this website and publication is a great resource for what’s happening in the prefecture and where to hit or miss when you’re out and about.
Akin to a user-friendly Craigslist, KFM posts everything from restaurant listings to classes to sayonara sales. They can also help you make reservations in English for nearly every hotel in Japan!
International Centers:
Kyoto Prefecture International Center (KPIC)
They host events from aikido classes to informational lectures concerning foreign residency rights, offer translation and interpretation services, and send regular news and event updates to those on the mailing list. There are also lists of services, Japanese classes, and international associations throughout the prefecture. You need to check them out. They also have a Facebook page.
Kyoto City International Foundation (KCIF)
They’re much like KPIC, but they’re mostly Kyoto-shi specific.
Joyo International Exchange Association (JIEA)
Find your nihongo classes here, southern JETs!
Kyotango International Foundation
The Kyotango center offers Japanese classes!
Your hookup for personal Japanese tutors, Global Sessions (we aren’t supposed to tell you that you’ll make a little cash), cooking classes, international exchange events, and more. You can also find them on Facebook.
Miyazu International Center
No website was found, but there’s a map here. For the time being, contact Maggie O’Connor on the Kyoto JETs: Past and Present Facebook page.
Learning Japanese:
Every Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:30 in the Seika town office (Shinhousono Station). The classes are one-on-one.
Uji Speak Salon
Sonobe
Though the course is labeled ”beginners,” classes are divided according to general ability, and the teachers adjust to the students’ needs. Highly recommended.
Medical and Emergency Information:
KPIC Disaster Preparedness Handbook (PDF file)
Center for Health and Rights of Migrants (CHARM)
It occasionally offers free, anonymous medical exams for foreign residents in 8 different languages.
Kyoto Medical Guide
2011 Medical Guide (Microsoft Word .docx download)
2011 Medical Guide (PDF file)
IMC TELL Volunteering Responsibly (English) (PDF file)
Transportation:
Hyperdia offers a quick and easy way to look up train schedules and routes to almost every single train station in Japan.
Buy night-bus tickets to almost any area in Japan. The website is offered in English, and you have the option of paying by credit card or convenience store.
Laurel is a 4th-year municipal ALT in Kameoka, Kyoto-fu and the current co-editor and "webmaster" (is that a thing?) of the Ganbatte Times. Her leisure activities include taiko, aikido, making jewelry, and general silliness.