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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Races and Events
      • dd4d brewing

        DD4D Brewing

        In nearly e...
        fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

Maple Leaves and Pricey Sheaves

troll spirit of silence

While our group was struggling to get down the bunny slope without falling, there was a skier who was kicking up rooster tails of powder on every turn. Upon further inspection, we noticed he was seated in a chair mounted on a single ski. In last month’s column I was in Canada, more specifically Banff and the nearby ski resort, where I was enjoying some tele-marking with friends.

During our time at the resort we ran into a lot of chair skiers and noticed how the lift operators ever so slightly slowed down the lifts and allowed them to ride the mountain without assistance. It felt to me as if these handicapped people, although not considering themselves as such, were living their lives and were able to express themselves like everyone else.

Does the same hold true for deaf people whose appearance doesn’t easily reveal the fact they can’t hear? Canada is a nation of immigrants, and large cities are filled with Japanese. Most Canadians seem accustomed interacting with foreigners and, while in Japan it is common to associate body language with someone who is deaf, in Canada where people express themselves more animatedly, it’s not as easy to get your point across with just your hands.

Upon entering a store, it’s usually necessary to write out plainly, “I’m deaf” on a piece of paper. This smoothly transitions into a written conversation, and everyone acts very friendly upon hearing the word “deaf.”

There are some who can communicate through a bit of ASL (American Sign Language) and still others who seem to have their own “personal” style of expressing themselves. After having one written conversation, everyone remembers you. When you next meet, things go much smoother and gestures are delivered with a smile.

If you forget to write out, “I am deaf,” be prepared to get some dubious looks. Trouble also occurs when Canada’s mercury drops to 20 degrees below zero and the ink in your ballpoint pen freezes. Canadian ballpoint pens hold up well in the cold but, when it really gets chilly, your best option is a pencil.

I was also surprised to find that paper is ridiculously expensive in Canada. A slightly thick notebook can run as high as $10 (approximately ¥1,000). Therefore, it’s not uncommon to have kind Canadians giving you paper as a present to use for your “memos.”

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