I had very few expectations for my host families. Having never had that kind of experience sent me into a whirlwind of confusion. Before arriving in Tokyo, the concept of host families alone was worrisome, but I soon realized how much of a complication the language barrier would be. Upon meeting my first host family, … Continue reading Thoughts on my Japanese Home-Stays
When I received my itinerary for Japan, I was mildly disappointed that I was to be spending three of my four weeks in Tokyo. In the middle, I would be spending my third week in Sapporo City, Hokkaido. I had no idea where or what Sapporo was, but I was excited to find out. I … Continue reading Sapporo City
As an active person and a dedicated member of my crew team, it is necessary for me to be able to train over the summer. With my circumstances in Japan, the most effective training I could do was going on longer runs in the mornings. Since I was in Tokyo and Sapporo, it was most … Continue reading Running through Tokyo
I remember considering how much effort it would take to go to Disney before I left. It seemed like a lot of work: an hour-long train ride and an expensive ticket that my host families would most likely not want to deal with. What I didn't expect was that every single person who lives in … Continue reading One if by Disneyland; two if by Disneysea
Shibuya was one of the few places that I looked up before arriving in Tokyo. I knew that it was a tourist center of the city and that it could be considered the Times Square of Tokyo. According to my itinerary, I knew that I would be spending time in Shibuya during my first week, … Continue reading Scrambling to Shibuya
We arrived in Narita International Airport, and an immediate observation I heard was, "The bathrooms are really cool." I've seen my fair share of artist-designed or themed bathrooms, so I assumed this comment had something to do with the décor. Upon entering for myself, my first reaction was thinking, "Wow, its hot in here." The … Continue reading The Majesty of Japan’s Bathrooms
An overnight trip to a destination within driving distance has the potential to be stressful. The concept of traveling creates stress even for a seasoned wanderer. I have found that one of the best/worst things in the world is going on a trip within a trip. My first trip-within-a-trip in recent memory was last summer … Continue reading Trip-within-a-trip
*This is entirely my opinion from my limited perspective. From the moment we stepped into our first classroom, Kawaii culture was apparent. At a school in which girls had a very strict uniform and were not allowed to go anywhere directly from school, there was little in the name of self-expression. The one area where … Continue reading Kawaii Culture
In the US, this would be considered cultural appropriation, but in Japan, it was a friendly gesture to don a traditional yukata. I was excessively hot before we even left the house wearing the multiple layers of fabric. Not only is Tokyo always humid, it often rains which is uncomfortable and inconvenient. Of course, on … Continue reading Sumida Fireworks Festival
13.5 hours after leaving Boston we landed at Narita airport and I instantly began to sweat. The building was only mildly air conditioned, and I had a heavy pack upon my back. I was also covered in what I'd like to call flight-oil which seeps through ones pores when on a plane for an extended … Continue reading First Impressions of Tokyo
