Shizuoka
Shizuoka City is located in Shizuoka prefecture which is located in Japan's approximate geographic center. It is best known as the home of Mt. Fuji, a volcanic mountain, whose elegant outlines are recognized all over the world as a symbol of Japan. Shizuoka Prefecture includes the Southern Japan Alps and about five hundred kilometers of Pacific Ocean coastline.
Four distinct seasons and lack of harsh weather are major factors in the region's long-standing prosperity. Beautiful tea plantations which resemble well groomed shrubs and abundant groves of mandarin oranges give Shizuoka its name which when translated is "Tranquil Hills". There is much industry and advanced technologies in the prefecture which stand as pillars of Japan's industrial success and economic prominence. Shizuoka University with a clear view of Mt. Fuji is located on a hill overlooking the city.
Festivals are held year round and there are many historic sites, museums, and ruins dating from centuries ago. Castles from Japan's feudal period as well as well-preserved temples and shrines can be seen throughout Shizuoka City and the Prefecture. The legendary Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu chose to live in Shizuoka which made it the unofficial capital during the 17th century. Traditional folk crafts are produced today as they have been for hundreds of years and are the pride of the prefecture.
Emboldened Believers
“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” –Matthew... [more]
Adotpion
1 John 3:1 – “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” Japan... [more]
I Love You
1 John 4:8 – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” In my language class one day I was shocked to learn that Japanese simply do not say to one another, “I love you.”... [more]
Land of Setting Sun
Romans 2:4 – “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” I am often astonished at how... [more]
Fogged In?
The name Shizuoka (pronounced shee-zoo-oh-kah) means “quiet hills” in Japanese. Shizuoka City is surrounded by luscious, green hills and the awe-inspiring Mount Fuji. This year has brought an unusually... [more]
Shall I Fall Down Before a Block of Wood or Stone?
In Shizuoka City, the Rainer’s are grateful to have some patient, friendly families in the building that they live in. One family in particular, the S-family, will go to great lengths to listen to, talk... [more]
Overcoming being a foreigner
As David was reading through 1 Corinthians last week, he came across a passage that seemed to jump off the page at him. It wasn’t a hallucination, anything supernatural, maybe not even spiritual, but... [more]
Koinobori Flying Carp
Golden Week in Japan starts this week and it is the longest stretch of vacation for the year for many Japanese employees. Some companies will even shut down for the week. Several holidays occur during... [more]
Brevity of life and blossoms
This is the month when the Japanese celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossom trees and when spring begins to manifest itself all over the beautiful land of Japan. Flowers are blooming, the weather is... [more]
At the top of a mountain
A narrow, concrete stairway that shoots straight up a steep hill would probably peek most peoples interest. Curiosity got the best of David and he had to follow the steps that were beckoning his attention.... [more]
