Japan IX

Here's a video that explains some not-so-common knowledge about Japan. Enjoy the fun graphics of this video!

CAUTION: Since I know I have a very diverse group of people reading this blog, here's a considerate warning. This video contains some mildly suggestive content including some slight sexual content. DO NOT watch this video if you think the mentioned suggestive content will offend you.

Here is a video about Japanese rock culture:

https://vimeo.com/1520249


Here's another video about the Japanese diet in comparison to the American diet:

A longer video about Kansai International Airport, the airport I used:

Japan VIII: Nara

...And then I realized I was REALLY overdue for a post.

Sorry for the delay. I've actually sat down multiple times to enter a new post but I've been too busy to finish something worth reading.

Since my last post I've been to Nara, Osaka and a popular shopping district here called Kurashiki. Here are some photos. Remember to click for larger versions:

[Kofukuji Temple]

 [Deer in Nara park]

 [The 2nd tallest pagoda in Japan!]

 [Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden structure in the world!]

 [The Daibutsu Buddah inside Todaiji Temple]

 [Sarusawa Pond]

 [One of my high school senior students]

 [One of my freshman classes at the OUS festival]

Galen also visited last week. We had a great time in Nara and since he had to spend so much money on a plane ticket, he stayed for about a week. Aside from Galen's visit, I've been very busy teaching at all my various schools. The weather has also FINALLY started to cool down. Lately we've had a high temperature of 75F. The trees are also just starting to show slight autumnal shades. It's odd to think that as of this coming Monday, I will be at the halfway point of this internship. Here's a look at my regular work schedule:

MONDAY --> Junsei Nursery 10:45am-11:15am

TUESDAY --> Kurashiki University 11am-4:30pm

WEDNESDAY --> Okayama University of Science 10:55am-11:30am and Kibi International University 3:50pm-8pm

THURSDAY --> Eisugakkan Junior High School 10am-2:30pm

FRIDAY --> OUS High School 9am-12pm

Occasionally I help with English classes on Saturdays at Eisugakkan. My favorite classes are the university classes by far. Surprisingly, I'm also having a bunch of fun with the Junsei 5 year-olds! 

Here are a few interesting or odd things that have happened to me:

• I bought milk that was lemon flavored on accident at the store...
• I spent nearly three hours desperately trying to find an internet connection in Osaka with Galen. Japan really is the place of no wifi, even if the restaurant says it provides free wifi.
• I witnessed some high school boys get in a fight at my school. The fight was actually a little unnerving since I couldn't really understand what the two were yelling at each other. The two boys sounded like monsters!
• Almost everything imaginable went wrong in one of my middle school classes a few weeks ago. The students wouldn't listen to anyone, they made the Japanese teacher irritated and one girl had an asthma attack at the end of class while the other students proceeded to make fun of her. Young Japanese students can be very cruel to each other I've learned.
• I've experienced the remnants of two typhoons but not one full, healthy typhoon.
• I've mastered riding my bike while holding an umbrella in one hand! This is extremely common in Japan.
• While Galen was here, we ate at a Japanese McDonalds. To me, the food tasted the same but Galen swore he could taste soy in his hamburger.
• I've rode the shinkansen (bullet train) a few times in order to travel long distances faster. The inside of the shinkansen is really similar to the inside of a really nice airplane. 
• I've also stayed in a ryokan or a traditional Japanese hotel!

Next week Hannah and I have a trip planned to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima Island. We are also registered to attend a kayaking tour around the island!

***

[Some methodical thoughts that are not based on proper surveys or samples]

On an anthropological note, the is a stark difference here between young adults and older citizens here. I mean, of course there is a difference between age groups anywhere but in Japan, the difference in behavior is quite vast. Most young adults are what people refer to as Westernized. Instead of following more Buddhist or Confucian values (I suppose), many people are more interested in adopting Western patterns of behavior. For example, many Japanese people aren't getting married until their mid or late twenties. Some Japanese are also abandoning the idea of marrying in order to please parents. One of my university students told me that many Japanese couples will get married out of high school or early in college but then perhaps divorce three years later. The majority, according to studies I've read, are marrying later in age but this trend of impulsively marrying and then divorcing is becoming more common. Though it's not a recent change, eating meat aside from fish is also due to Westernization. Something that still perplexes me about young Japanese students is that the students can be very shy but also very mean at the same time. After observing my high school and middle school classes, I'm amazed at how cruel some students can be to other students. 

Also, it seems that most Japanese people aren't exactly monogamous. Extra martial affairs are very common and accepted, according to one of my students. Most Western people would find this shocking, at least, I did. It seems to me that Japanese have a more scientific understanding of the world around them unless of course the Japanese person in question is a serious practitioner Buddhism or Shinto especially. Though it is not often talked about, people don't care here if a same sex couple wants to be together. I'm not sure if a couple is allowed to be legally married though. Japanese people are also not ashamed of the human body. Things like nudity or even discussing more personal body parts are not treated with the same kind of sensitivity you see in the USA. To me, it seems that Japanese see the human body and its desires as something that is just there and they accept it as opposed to fighting it or hiding it. 

***

Something I've enjoyed while living in Japan is actually being able to use my Japanese language skills. While there are many kanji I can't read and many things I do not know how to say, I still really love being able to communicate at a very basic level. I can often understand what people say to me but finding the right words and arranging them into the proper sentence structure is difficult! Being able to understand what a waitress or sales clerk says to me makes me feel like the culture I'm immersed in currently isn't so different than my own. I'm also finding that I am too busy to read all the books I wanted to read while I am here! I'm only 72% finished with the towering 1Q84 and which means I don't have permission to start my book about Zen, Thoreau's Walden and 20 something Nietzsche books. GAH! Hopefully this will change. OH! Quickly before I go, here's a video of me riding the train in Japan. Almost everyday I ride the train to work so here's a snippet for you:

To any reader and everyone at home, take care and enjoy the rest of this blog!

-J

Japan VII: Kyoto, Fukuyama and Tomonoura

...And then I realized I was overdue for a post!

The last week has consisted of another week of teaching and a free weekend. Hannah and I also made a short trip to Fukuyama, Port Tomonoura and Sensui Island. I was going to make a two day trip to Kyoto but unfortunately I fell ill Sunday morning so I decided to cancel my plans and instead went this past weekend. Here's some photos from Kyoto:

[An impressive Rinzai Zen Temple.]

 [A shrine I can't remember the name of...]

 [Heian Shrine]

 [Heian Shrine]

 [Heian Shrine]

 [Kyoto Station]

 [Inside Kyoto Station!]

 [Stone foxes at Inari Shrine.]

 [The many Tori of Inari Shrine.]

 [more Tori]

 [A view of Kyoto from the top of the train station.]

Kyoto was my first extended stay in a larger city in Japan. It was also the first REAL test of my knowledge of Japan's railway system. In order to get to Kyoto, I had to take a train from my local station (Hokaiin) to Okayama station, then to Aioi, then rapid service to Osaka and finally from Osaka, more rapid service to Kyoto. In Japan, there are several types of train services. There are regular, local trains, there are regular trains that go outside the local area, there are trains that are called "rapid service trains" or trains that only stop at major stations and pass local ones and finally there is the shikansen or bullet train. Anyway, I performed with outstanding marks. Once I arrived in Osaka I got to experience the super crowded trains though I didn't see any train operators pushing people into cars in order to make all the passengers fit.

I stayed in a hostel that was about a 10 minute walk from Kyoto Station. I was only at the hostel briefly as I checked in around 9:30pm, wolfed some chips and salsa down at their small restaurant and then returned to my dorm to fall asleep an hour later. Staying in Kyoto was my first experience with hostels and it wasn't a bad one; I was provided with a clean bunk bed, clean, soft sheets, a fresh pillow and comforter as well as a nice reading light attached to my bunk. The staff spoke English and Japanese and there were many useful maps and sight seeing suggestions in the main room. Upon entering the hostel, I had to take my shoes off and leave them in a locker provided for me. I thought this was amusing as not every place I've been in Japan requires a person to take off their shoes. Sadly I didn't have any time to make friends because I left the following morning at 8am in order to make my day plump with sight seeing. After checking out, I bought a pastry from a convenience store and first visited Sanjusangendo shrine, a few random shrines I couldn't name, some local gift shops, a towering Rinzai Zen temple (pictured below), the Gion district and finally Heian Shrine (pictured below). By the time I was done with Heian Shrine, I was utterly exhausted. Apparently there was also a food festival and anime convention that day at the design and art museum across the street from Heian so I braved floods of Japanese people to order lunch and consume it like a starving woman. Though I had planned to walk back to Kyoto Station, I decided to take a bus since I was already feeling depleted. The bus I took was so full of people, I was almost sitting on the man behind me. People filled the seats as well as the aisle. Once I was back at my arrival point, I found the train to take me to Inari Shrine (pictured below) and spent time exploring the expansive shrine that was featured in my favorite movie of all time, Memoirs of a Geisha. Two hours later, I returned to Kyoto Station (pictured below), floated around its innards and then hopped on a train to go home. Another side note before I move on is that major train stations are like malls in Japan. Kyoto Station, in particular, was massive. Kyoto Station hosted a massage and hair parlor, several souvenir shops, a few gardens, an observation floor, a 9 floor mall called Isenta and a cute bouquet of places to eat. Needless to say, when I first walked off the escalator and saw Kyoto Station in all its grandeur, I literally stopped and said "Wow."

As I'm continuing to adjust to life in Japan, I still find that even though I know some Japanese and that I think I'm good at blending into different social environments, I'm still have my foreigner moments. I'm still getting used to riding my bike on the street, using the trains and buying things. In bigger cities, like Osaka and Kyoto for example, most people just automatically talk to me in English. As a random side note, when I took the bus from Heian Shrine to Kyoto Station while standing in the crowded bus, a lady standing in front of me addressed me in English. I was able to speak Japanese to her but she was actually learning English and showed me her notes on a small notepad as proof.

I'm also getting more comfortable with how polite and helpful Japanese people are. At least, polite behavior here has become less compelling to me, not to say that I don't appreciate it of course. Unlike in America, people working jobs in retail or food never look sour or annoyed. Train and bus operators always look very polished, disciplined and professional. Waiters and waitresses are quiet, polite and when they serve you, one can't help but to feel all warm and fuzzy from the special attention. 

Here's some other photos from Fukuyama, Port Tomonoura and Sensui Island. Hannah and I went here a few weekends ago. The weather that day was probably the hottest weather I have ever endured but it was worth it! See my facebook for more photos and remember to click the photos in this blog for larger versions!

[Fukuyama Castle]

 [Port Tomonoura]

 [Sensuijima]

[More Sensuijima; a path went around the entire island.]

["Tangled" in Japanese! The Japanese call it "Rapunzel" though.]

 [This is called goya. Goya is like a cucumber but very bitter.]

 [A large mural in Okayama. It encourages citizens to extinguish fires!]

Japan VI: Okayama

Greetings from Japan again!

And so, I have been living in Japan for about 2 weeks now. It's still ridiculously hot and humid here. I've also gone through one week of class, minus the university classes because the universities around here haven't started yet. Here was my schedule for this week (not including Japanese class):

Monday: Junsei (5 year olds) 10:45am-11:15am [1 class]
Thursday: Eisugakkan (middle school students) 10am-3pm [4 classes]
Friday: OUS (high school freshmen/seniors) 9am-12pm [3 classes]

Once the university classes start, I should be at a different school each day. Junsei and OUS are within walking/biking distance but in order to get to Eisugakkan, I have about an hour commute by train. Once I get off the train at Daimon station, I have another 20 minute walk. What's one funny thing about all the Kake schools? They are all on steep hills...I've already lost 2 lbs. from all the walking and bike riding I do!

Thus far, I've just done introductory activities with the classes. The style of teaching I have to do at each school is very different. For example, at Junsei I am completely in control while at Eisugakkan, the Japanese teacher I work with likes mandating what we do in class. The hardest part about teaching so far is not so much directing the class but effectively communicating with with my Japanese co-teachers. The Japanese teachers don't directly tell me what they want me to do (which I just assume is a cultural difference) so I have to ask very thorough and specific questions to clarify what I am and am not responsible for. I honestly can't wait for my university classes to start even though it will be a few more classes to teach. I feel like I'll have more freedom to manipulate the atmosphere of the classroom which I think will help the students learn more. More opinions about the Japanese schooling system once I've taught a few more classes.

Japanese students aren't extraordinarily different from American students. Like any adolescent kid, they like to goof off, watch their favorite TV shows and be rowdy. Most of the kids who like sports are very particular to baseball or tennis, which are very popular in Japan. And of course, there are the few artsy kids and nerdy kids. A few things the students commonly asked me were:

"Do you have boyfriend?"
"When is your birthday?"
"What is your blood type?"

I'm convinced all the students are trying to figure out my personality type as things like astrology are very popular here...This weekend, Hannah and I went to OUS's Sports Day at Okayama Dome. The event was comprised of a series of games for the kids. Each class of kids wore a certain color T-shirt and created their own choreography to a few songs as well as a special flag. These were very entertaining to watch considering that even the male students were into the dancing! The best part was when a group of students did a dance to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way."

[The Okayama Dome]

Here are a few quirky things I've noticed about Japanese people:

• Being tan isn't popular. Being pale is. Thus, many Japanese girls will wear arm-length gloves to cover their arms while still wearing a T-shirt on sunny days and many will walk with umbrellas in order to not tan. 
• The only things that are commonly stolen here are bicycle parts or whole bicycles...
• The Japanese trifecta is coffee, alcohol and cigarettes. Choose two to do in order to participate in society.
• Japanese people are fascinated by foreigners...No matter where I go, I am guaranteed at least 3 people gawking at me. What never fails to shock me is when I enter Okayama Station and there are nothing but Asians, everywhere.
• Japanese people are extremely polite and patient. Heck, the language has several levels of politeness to address people if that doesn't give anything away.
• People in Okayama are bad drivers.

[The view from home]

So, do I miss home yet? Bits and pieces I suppose. Open spaces of healthy grass are rare where I live which makes me miss simple walks on the bike paths that run through Ohio like veins in a circulatory system. In my opinion, all the architecture here looks the same; I miss the variety that is in America. I also miss the coziness of places like Yellow Springs and The Neon in Dayton. I also miss cheap fruit. Citrus is very expensive in Japan, especially grapes! I also miss fresh air in the city. This weekend I went to Okayama City and by the time I was done with my wanderings, I had a headache from all the cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes. I also miss being able to have a handy water bottle with me! Water bottles are surprisingly expensive here so I saved the plastic water bottle I bought from a vending machine a few days ago to serve as a water bottle. Anyway, as far as home sickness goes, I'd say I'm doing fine.

This week, Hannah and I might go to Osaka since both of us have a free day on Wednesday. Other than that, it's week two of classes!

Japan V: New Home!

[click for a larger version to see where I live. look for the red circle.]

So, Hannah and I have finally settled into our new living space in Okayama, Japan. The picture above shows the building we live in. We both live in the apartment on the lower level. The two doors lead to foyers where we store our bikes as bikes are a popular form of transportation here. Our little house is also at the bottom of a big hill that leads to Okayama University of Science where both of us teach classes.Moving in was no problem and we both get our own rooms which is very nice. Yamada-san, our representative and almost care-taker picked us both up from Kansai International Airport and from there we rode a series of trains (including the Shikansen or bullet train)before arriving in Okayama. From the station, we took a taxi to our apartment and then unpacked.

Thus far, we've figured out how to use just about everything in our apartment. Operating electronics, like the stove, in our apartment is a bit challenging considering all the directions are in Japanese. We've also quickly picked up on how to ride our bikes in the city (there aren't really any cycling rules here unlike in America) as well as how to get to the post office, bank, convenience store and grocery. The neat thing about Okayama is that it is hardly flat; the whole place is pretty much settled in between small mountains. The climate is also very humid and hot! For example, a few days ago it was hotter here than in Cairo, Egypt. As for the people, everyone is very polite. Many people wish you good morning if they pass you on the street in the morning and of course there is the bowing. For anyone curious, a Japanese bow does not involve positioning your hands together like you are praying.

Here's some pictures of our adventures thus far:

[the entrance to a Shinto shrine]

[the view from a park]

 [prayers written on wooden blocks inside a shrine]

 [Hannah and I with an actor in Samurai armor!]

 [Okayama Castle aka Black Crow Castle]

 [I get to try on a kimono!]

 [Hannah ordering food]

 [the neatest place to eat so far]

Tomorrow we both start teaching. My first class is at Junsei Nursery where I conduct a class of 5 year olds for 30 invigorating minutes. Later this week I will also have a few high school classes to teach...Freshman and seniors!

Until next time,

~Julie

Japan IV: Kansai Airport&Rinku Town

Greetings from Osaka!

I'm currently waiting at Kansai International Airport to meet up with my representative from Kake Institutes and my fellow intern, Hannah.

Yesterday, I left Seattle, Washington around noon (West coast time of course). The flight to Osaka was very smooth. Most of the people in the terminal were Asian however, there were a few American people. While I was waiting to board, I sat next to a guy who has been to Japan many times and has a Japanese wife. He recommended I visit Nara, Kyoto and Kobe as well as enjoy myself. He was also kind enough to offer his assistance to me and another kid when we got to Osaka.

The flight itself actually went by quickly. I spent my 11 hours watching a few movies provided by the Delta (which included The Avengers!), listened to music and slept. Also, contrary to popular opinion, the airline food that was served was quite good.

By the time I arrived at the airport, went through customs and claimed my huge bag...I wasn't tired! I honestly thought I would be exhausted by the end of my flight but I still had plenty of energy. After asking the clerk at the travel desk where the bus stop was, I went to go wait for the Kansai Washington Hotel shuttle.

The first thing I noticed after walking outside was that my god, it is HUMID here. Though I was only dressed in a short sleeved shirt and dress pants, by the time I got to my hotel room I had thoroughly sweated through my clothes, and I hardly sweat to begin with! Kansai airport is also on the ocean so no matter where I roamed, I could smell a hint of salt in the air.

After I checked in with a very nice clerk, who spoke perfect English even though I didn't ask him to, I managed to wheel my luggage to the elevator and find my room. The room I stayed in looked very similar to Western hotel rooms except that everything was maybe a foot lower than normal. Here's a view from my hotel room:

The hotel also had a small convenience store and restaurant inside; I ended up getting a few small things to eat from the convenience store because it was cheaper in comparison to the restaurant. I then spent my evening sending emails to family, skyping with Galen and watching a little bit of Japanese TV.

Here's a few interesting things about my hotel room:

• In order to turn the electricity on, I had to insert my room key into a small slot on the wall.
•  Of the complimentary toiletries in my room, the tooth paste was no bigger than a daily vitamin.
• The toilet was...electronic?! Essentially there was a button to change the water pressure, to stop the flushing and several to...clean your bottom?
• There was a dispenser for soap, conditioner and shampoo next to my shower/bathtub.
• My room also included complimentary slippers and a robe.

The next morning, I ate some breakfast and went outside to explore Rinku Town. It was very early in the morning (about 7am) so there weren't many people around. My explorations led me to a shopping center, a park and a beach. Here's some pictures:

When I was walking around I also got a million stares from local Japanese people. Apparently, some people never seen foreigners so seeing a person with my kind of build and coloring was a sight. After I was done exploring, I returned to my hotel room, packed up my stuff, talked with Galen briefly and caught the hotel shuttle to the airport.

That's all for now!

-Julie

Seattle Highlights

I'm currently waiting in SEATAC airport to board my plane and still have around an hour so here are some photos that highlight another visit to my favorite place...

[mountains]

 [Space Needle 50th Anniversary]

 [happened to go by a Tibetan festival]

 [Seattle Center]

 [a Japanese garden]

 [beach time]

 [Mt. Ranier...look closely!]