Shinkansen

I loved experiencing the shinkansen. It was typically Japanese standard type experience. Very efficient, very clean and the staff was super friendly. One minute I was in Osaka and the next, I could see Mount Fuji from the left side of the shinkansen.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a beautiful city. It’s not one of my favorites but nevertheless I saw some beautiful scenery. At first glance the city appeared small and uninspiring. However I was very much mistaken. We went on the rope way up the mountain. It was due to leave at 10.40 and guess what…it left at 10.40, keeping up with the Japanese standard. When we arrived at the top, I was surprised to see how big the city actually was. It stretched out as far as the eye could see.
The people in Nagasaki generally went out of their way to help us. On three occasions, people walked with us to where we wanted to go and dropped us off literally at the door step, and wanting nothing in return. The sincerity generosity of people in japan always amazes me.

Hanami

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to Kyoto for hanami viewing. It was a beautiful sunny Saturday. When we arrived at Sanjo station, it was packed with people and walking up the main street took 25 minutes instead of 10. We arrived at the park and families had already set up their tarp and enjoying the beautiful spring day. Up until now I had seen salary men drunk on their way home from work, school children on the trains coming back from group sports but this was the first time I had seen many families out together. It was reassuring to see this. Apart from the flowers being absolutely stunning, I learnt that the Japanese families are important to each other.

Sumo
I was so lucky to be able to experience this event. We lined up for approximately 30 minutes to buy our tickets. The energy was already so strong at 8 in the morning. We could see glimpses of the sumo’s as they entered into the building through the huge crowds of people. These sumo’s were like superstars. I had always read in books that the sumo’s were treated like royalty and now I was experiencing it for the first time.
The arena was amazing, very traditional, as I imagined. There was a raised platform where the sumo’s had their bouts. The bowing was routine when the sumo’s went on head to head and was the last greeting when they finished their bout. What was very surprising was when the favorite sumo lost his round and everyone immediately got up and threw their cushions onto the arena. I thought this was very un Japanese like, however very amusing. I was told later that this was common to see at the sumo. What I did notice next was without delay, there were people scurrying around quickly picking up the thrown cushions and maintaining order. I laughed to myself; very Japanese like.

Hiroshima was a beautiful place. I instantly noticed a difference in the people. They were more relaxed than the people in Osaka and seemed to be in no rush to be anywhere. As I was walking along the river, the locals were enjoying the beautiful weather as much as I was and admiring the sakura. As I was walking towards the peace museum, I felt the air was filled with history and heartache and I was nervous to find out what I was about to enter. Although I had learned about Hiroshima and what it represented in high school, nothing could prepare me for this. The museum was very real and very surreal. It was shocking to understand the history behind august the 6th in 1945 and hear how people suffered during that time. I understand why the people seem truly happy and relaxed in this city.

Japanese Garden

After following very confusing directions, we finally arrived at the Japanese garden. From the moment we walked in, there was a sense of calmness in the air. Although the garden was full of tourists and locals, I felt like I was the only one there. I had previously imagined what a traditional Japanese garden would be like and this exceeded my expectations. My head was clear and my body was relaxed as I walked through the garden. At the end of the experience I thought to myself, typical. Only the Japanese could create something like this. Only across the large brick fence was the hustle and bustle of Hiroshima city, yet inside was clam and tranquil. The two extremes of Japan.

Sweets paradise

Sweets paradise! I can not believe this place exists! Although we had to wait for forty minutes, it was definitely worth it. I have never eaten so much in 90 minutes. What surprised me the most was how civil the Japanese people were. They were umming and aarrgghing over which cake to eat first and what the topic of conversation was going to be next. Seven of us went together and when we finally got a table inside, there was no time for conversation. Each person probably consumed two big plates of four different kinds of pasta, half a pizza, garlic bread, two bowls of ice cream, three big plates of cakes and cookies, seven jelly cups and four drinks. This was a sight to see!

Having studied the history of Japan in my first year of university, I was excited have the opportunity to visit where the history took place. Osaka castle was beautiful. Walking through the path with Japanese plum trees on one side and cherry trees on the other was a beautiful lead up to the castle. The castle perfectly represents the Japanese architecture.

Cooking class!

On Sunday the 24th, I went to cooking class with my two host sisters. We cooked a traditional meal to celebrate Hinamatsuri. The Japanese people put so much time and effort into preparation of meals. The presentation of food is just as important, if not more important than the actual taste of the food. I was amazed at the detail in which they present a meal. After three hours of preparing, cooking and displaying, the end result was magnificent.

After one month

It has taken me over one month, but I have finally come to terms with the fact that Japanese people don’t mind waiting. However I am not Japanese. And I do not like to wait. There is a line for everything! There is a line for the rest rooms, buying a ticket, boarding the train, standing in the train, getting off the train, restaurants, coffee places, ice cream shops, crepe shops, lawsons, family mart, 7/11. It comes as a surprise when I see chairs in front of restaurants. In Melbourne, it is unheard of to wait for food or drinks. It makes me realize how patient the Japanese really are.

My host sisters came into my room at 10am and said we were leaving at 10.15. 15 minutes do get ready? No hope! After struggling to come to terms with the fact that the Japanese can sometimes be inefficient, I was out the front door, ready for this adventure. After a 15 minute walk and 2 trains, we arrived at cooking school. Our sensei told us by the end of the class we would have made a meal for Hinamatsuri. Otherwise known as 'girls festival.' It was an unforgetable experience.

I love my room. It’s small, which is typical when it comes to Japanese houses, cozy and warm, very unexpected. I have found the Japanese are very conscious of the weather and in winter, the rooms are a lovely 25 degrees. Although the heater is on only when there is someone in the room. When no on is in the room, the heater must be turned off. (Japanese are strict about cutting down on electricity. Lights must be turned off when the room is not in use.

My host family love ornaments. The more ornaments, the better. There is very little room in the house because the ornaments take up all the space. Initially I thought this was a mess but now I have grow to love the looking at the toys while I’m in the toilet and having the toys stare back at me while I’m brushing my teeth.

Kobe! This was a beautiful town, where the old meets the new. Walking through ‘China Town’ was exactly how I imagined China to be. The traditional colours and statues lined the two streets. While the food stalls smelling of a delicious array of food occupied both sides of the streets. As we continued to walk the streets of Kobe, we stumbled across Starbucks which bought us back to reality and reminded us of the impact of globalization. Not far was the Kobe port, which although I have never felt so cold (apart from the day in Kyoto) was beautiful. The damage from the earthquake in 2002 was untouched and remained a part of history.

Shinsaibashi. I love Shinsaibashi. Out of all the places I have visited so far, this has been my favourite. The people have their own unique sense of style. Everyone is an individual who contributes in their own way to the collectiveness of the Japanese society. At first glance, walking down Shinsaibashi Suji seems almost unachievable. However as u walk down the busiest shopping strip I have ever seen, u come to realize the control and order that takes place. Everyone walks on the in sync on the correct side and the hustle and bustle that I thought existed is calm and controlled. The bright lights and amusing signs are all apart of Japan. The small laneways and narrow streets make Japan so unique. To think that it is so technologically advanced, yet their way of thinking can be so traditional.

The First Two Weeks

Japan seemed similar to Australia. Initially, I saw little differences, apart from signs in kanji, a few more sky scrapers and a lot more Japanese people. However i started noticing major changes. The gestures were different; bowing was common. People would stand and wait to the right side of the escallator instead of the left. People would give up their seats on trains for the elderly. It was generally a more group orientated society than the individualistic society that was apparent in Australia.