April 2026

Spring has sprung and the flowers are in full bloom. This season is all about new beginnings. So, this month we’re excited to introduce the beginning of a new chapter in the Mikan Blog with a ZINE all about Vince – your new blog editor and content writer! Along with Gizelle last year, this will be our 20th edition of the ZINE. We are honored to have worked with so many amazing JETs from Ehime and beyond on this project. After nearly two years and many mistakes along the way, the ZINE has blossomed into the creative platform that it is today thanks to all of you. We can’t wait to see what exciting things are to come with Vince at the helm.

But for now, please enjoy the April Edition of the Mikan maga(ZINE)!

Vince

Philippines ---> Matsuyama

What’s your favorite thing about April?

Definitely the flowers, especially sakura. It’s such a mood booster whenever I see them on my way to work. It’s a shame they only last two weeks, but that’s what makes them even more special.

What do blossoms symbolize for you personally?

Impermanence. They remind me that beautiful things don’t last forever, and that’s exactly what makes them meaningful. There’s a kind of ache in that, but I think it’s a good reminder to be present — to truly experience things while they’re here.

Are you more of a spring rain person or a sunshine person?

Sunshine, definitely. I do love the rain, as it gives me this sense of comfort and home — sometimes, I even want to soak myself in puddles like a kid again… but I probably shouldn’t do that here in Japan. After months of cold, though, I really crave warmth. After hibernating for so long, spring feels like a chance to finally go out and be with the world again.

Have you ever had a perfect picnic day? What made it perfect?

Yeah, my first hanami at the German Castle last year. It was just really nice being with friends, playing card games, having our usual dramatic conversations, and diabolically laughing about the smallest things. We even made this video where we kept filming in the same frame, changing positions, then running in to hug each other. It was honestly so cheesy, but also really heartwarming. It wasn’t anything grand, but it felt homey.

If spring had a scent to you, what would it be?

Off the top of my head, it’s Katy Perry’s Meow perfume. It’s this really sweet, playful scent in a pink cat-shaped bottle. I used to wear a dupe of it back in high school, and I still remember bees literally following me because of it, which was honestly a bit traumatic. Luckily, I did not have what Edmund Bridgerton did. But yeah, it reminds me of something light, youthful, and a little chaotic… which feels very spring to me.

What’s one song that feels like spring every time you hear it?

“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves. It’s the perfect spring song. Imagine this in your earphones while tying your shoes, getting ready to head out, and the moment you open your door, the sunlight hits your skin, and the cool spring air slaps you in the face. What could be more spring than that?

Honorable Mentions:

“Get Happy/Happy Days” by Barbra Streisand & Judy Garland If you want a slow, sentimental, reflective spring anthem, this is it. I’m kinda biased toward the Glee version, but nothing beats the original, of course.

“Kanlungan” (Shelter) by Buklod & Noel Cabangon This one has never failed to make me feel deeply nostalgic, especially as a zillennial who’s experienced both pre- and post-smartphone eras, which honestly feels like two different lifetimes. Listening to it feels like coming home — but to a place that’s no longer there.

What color best represents your mood this season?

Pink. Probably because of the sakura here in Japan, and the fact that this is the only kind of spring I’ve experienced so far (hello, wet and dry seasons of the Philippines👋). But also because it feels soft and calm, which really captures the essence of the season.

Do you celebrate any holidays in April? How do you usually spend them?

Back home, it’s Holy Week. In Marinduque, we have Moriones Lenten Rites, which is a really big cultural and religious event. It’s meant to be solemn, with traditions like processions and reenactments, but at the same time, it’s also when families come together. People who moved away come back home, and there’s this strong sense of community. Growing up, it felt like a mix of reflection and reunion – with schools holding alumni homecomings, families doing beach outings, and friends catching up at cafés. It’s the exact opposite of the quietness here in Japan.

What does a “perfect day off” during spring break look like for you?

Sorry, but for me, it would be something slow and a “bit” romanticized. (Disclaimer: hypersweet words ahead – may cause diabetes). I’d start with cleaning my space, then go out to a garden or a flower field, wearing something light and flowy, running around, smelling the flowers, taking pictures, maybe painting, sitting under a tree with a book. Then later, a picnic with friends or someone special, just talking, snacking, playing games – no pressure, no time. The kind of day where you’re not thinking about anything else. But honestly, deep cleaning my apartment, running errands, and having tea & biscuits while watching a romcom film already sounds perfect to me.

What feels like it’s beginning anew in your life right now?

My mindset, honestly. After the “growth pains” I experienced last autumn — pains that I would never wish on anyone else — I’m glad that now, it feels lighter. These days, it feels like there are endless possibilities, there’s so much of life that I have yet to savor, and so many versions of myself I’ve yet to explore. Let’s just hope I don’t turn into a flashdrive (See: Lucy [2014]).

What are you ready to let go of as the seasons change?

🎤🎶Seasons change and we’re running in circles…🎤🎶 Charot. I’m ready to let go of my unrequited feelings. Charot again. On a serious note, probably the limits I’ve placed on myself, and the need to control everything. I need to let go. I think I’ve spent a lot of time thinking, thinking, and thinking, and it just left me drained. Not that it’s bad to think, but overintellectualizing can lead to analysis paralysis, which can be counterproductive. Now, I’m learning to start doing, letting things be, participating in my own life, and trusting that I’ll be okay whatever happens. Faith is the secret ingredient, ほんとに.

Is there a habit or goal you’re starting (or restarting) this spring?

I want to be more active — running, hiking, just moving more in general. I’ve been walking to my schools for the past year now, which made 10k steps a day quite achievable, but I want to push myself more. I’m thinking of climbing Mt. Fuji soon and maybe doing a marathon, though I’m still not fully sure about the latter. But yeah, spring just feels like the right time to start showing up for myself again physically, and do harder things.

What inspires you most about this time of year?

The warmer weather! Plans! My nephew! New beginnings! This season honestly feels like a softer version of New Year — but flowers instead of fireworks. I’m excited to meet new people at work, too! There’s a lot I’m looking forward to this year, and I’m really excited to see how things unfold. I hope the omikuji I drew at Senso-ji Temple comes true. 🤞🧿

Thanks for the Memories - Farewell

Working on The Mikan maga(ZINE) over the past two years has been an incredibly meaningful experience. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate, create, and grow alongside such thoughtful and talented people. From brainstorming ideas to bringing each issue to life, every step of the process has been both challenging and rewarding in the best way. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, creativity, and energy-you’ve made this journey truly special, and I’ll always appreciate being part of it.

Most importantly, thank you so much Justin, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner/editor in this project in fixing the website together and bringing the blogs after years of inactivity. I am so so so beyond proud of us. Thank you as well to Gizelle as she helped me and Justin in our first year of working on the zines. Truly so grateful for your continued support even after the blogs. Last but not least, to you all, the readers!! All of you who have supported this huge project with a lot of work on the behind the scenes, to work with me if you were picked for the zines, and even as a reader. Thank you kindly.

This project and role has been a lot of work but truly I an so beyond proud of the work me and my team has done the past two years. So thank you once again. Of course, with the flames being dimmed down on one side another one grows effervescently with Vince your new Blog Content Creator and Editor.

Like Dillon, working on both the zines and the blogs for the past two years has been one of the greatest parts of my JET experience. I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to support and grow the Mikan Blog to what it is today. From all the amazing article submissions to the inspiring zines, it’s great to see how creative everyone has been. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to and supported the blog – it means the world to me.

Thank you as well to Dillon, Gizelle, Gaby, and the entire AJET team for all your hard work keeping it going. It has been a lot of work creating the zines, editing articles, managing the website, planning events, and everything in between but it was more than worth it. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the blog and the new AJET team accomplishes in the future.

Best of luck to everyone. Thanks again for keeping up with all my crazy travel articles over the years 🙂

Hey, Mikans!

We hope you’re enjoying this month’s ZINE. If you have a story to tell, an idea to share, or just want to contribute we’d love to hear from you!

We’ll have a new maga(ZINE) post for you on the first of each month, so keep an eye out! Interested in having your own ZINE? Reach out to us at themikanblog@gmail.com!