Links

Aikido Links

Tokyo Hombu Dojo - This is the homepage for the world headquarters of Aikido, which includes maps and class schedules for anyone interested in going.

Toronto Aikikai - An excellent dojo in the Toronto area.

Kyoto Aikido Federation - All in Japanese, but has links, info and directions to all of the affiliated Aikido dojo in Kyoto, including the Budo Center.

Aikido Kyoto - A relatively new dojo here in Kyoto, this is a great choice for foreign people living in the city, as the teacher - Yoko Okamoto - is both an excellent Aikidoist and speaks perfect English.

Japan / Kyoto Links

Nanzen-ji Zen Centre - If you're interested in studying Zazen in Kyoto, check out the Zen Centre at the famous Nanzen-ji temple, overseen by Yoshitomi-san. The centre is in a historic sub-temple building called Kou-un-ji, which has a Chinese-style meditation hall which was built some 400 years ago by the grand-daughter of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Please remember Babel Fish (below) if you can't read this page!

Hannya-no-Kai - The personal homepage of my Zen teacher, Yoshitomi-san. An excellent page, complete with photos of both Nanzen-ji and Kou-un-ji throughout the various seasons, as well as short stories and essays about zen life. Please remember Babel Fish (below) if you can't read this page!

Tanchouzuru.com - A really nice website with some really excellent pictures that capture the feeling of Japan so well. Jim is a guy I met while over in Kyoto, and when he sent me this link I was almost sick with nostalgia for the place...worth a visit.

Internet Radio Links

Radio Paradise - A fantastic internet radio station...this guy has a great talent for knowing what mood you're in and playing good tunes accordingly.

SomaFM - If you like electronica, then I guarrantee that you'll find something here to fit your tastes. These guys have been around for years, and their "Groove Salad" station continues to be an incredibly solid stream.

Generally Useful Internet Links

Babel Fish - An indispensible tool for anyone trying to, say, read otherwise incomprehensible pages in other languages. Stick this in your ear...

Firefox - If you're not using this browser yet, then you should be. It works better than Internet Explorer, it's more secure, and you get the added bonus of stickin' it to the man while you surf.

Wikipedia - If you're looking for information on the web, hold on before you Google it. Try this. Wikipedia is an amazing online encyclopedia that's growing like crazy...and it's free. Ridiculously useful, and unbelievably interesting.

News Links

Newslink - Okay, so you're looking for a newspaper from a particular place? This site lists most major newspapers around the globe, really opening you up to just how much is out there. A very useful resource.

The Economist - Always an interesting read. Lots of in-depth news analyses and interesting economic perspectives...with and obvious slant, of course.

The Washington Post - Great for political news and insights from the United States.

The Globe and Mail - Should be no mystery to anyone here...a pretty solid paper, with a good crossword.

The New York Times - One of my favourite newspapers...too bad a subscription in Japan costs about $2500, and that's only for the Sunday paper. Solid reporting with a pretty wide range. You have to sign up to read the articles here, but it's free, and very worth it.

Al Jazeera - If you're a hardened news junkie, then you just assume that bias is built in to what you're reading. The only way to counter that is to hear the news that you're regular sources aren't telling you. What better place than the news agency that both Middle Eastern and Western governments hate? I'm constantly amazed at how often stories appear here first.

Daily Yomiuri - One of the major Japanese newspapers...gloriously unhindered by thoughts or concerns about the outside world, this is sadly one of the best papers available in English here. Introverted...introspective...introducing: the Japanese news media!

Japan Times - You can lay this one down side by side with the Daily Yomiuri and read the same paper twice. The only possible indication that this paper is different/better is that the crossword is harder. But since World Cup Soccer and Sumo probably should be front page news anyway...give this one a shot.

Pages from friends and family...

Tom Creighton's Portfolio - The online portfolio of my cousin Tom. Some truly impressive material here; this page is well woth a look just to see what kind of fun things can be done with a website.

Howard Williamson - The man himself...my Dad's page from sunny Ottawa, Ontario!

Let me know if I'm forgetting anyone, or if there are any additions that would be worthwhile!