Taiwan Adventure

Everyone at Keio University seems to be traveling over the two month break we have. After living in Japan for about 6 months, I did need to stay away from Tokyo and I am sure everyone felt the same way. So, I decided to go to Taiwan where my other friend from UH is doing his exchange program. At first, Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, seemed like Tokyo 15 years ago. The city is transforming into a bigger and busier city like Tokyo. One thing I really liked was that food and transportation fee are amazingly cheap compared to Tokyo. It was an awesome feeling to look down the city from the top of the 101 building, the tallest building in the world. Taiwan was definitely a place to visit.

mopeds on the street...

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

101 building at night

night market

101!!!

Ueno

Last samurai statue...

Old man at the partk feeding birds

Tokyo National Museum

Japanese armor at the museum

I explored Ueno today with two friends. In fact, one of them is visiting from Hawaii. Since I have never been to Ueno before, I did not know what and where to show him around. After wandering around for a while, I found out that Ueno has a nice park with several museums including Tokyo National Museum, the biggest in Japan. Ueno Zoo is probably the most popular spot there. Also, markets near the station are good places to look around. You can find dried seafood, cheap clothing, interesting food, and others. I definitely suggest a day trip if you want to see more of old Tokyo. Since I only was able to check out Tokyo National Museum and streets near the station, I will have to plan another day to visit Ueno!

Kamakura

Ever since we had planned to go to Kamakura, I had been really excited, so I had my camera, tripod, and everything else ready. But I made a big mistake... I forgot to check the weather.

When I walked out of my dorm, I was really disappointed because it was raining, but I still did not give up. I thought that the sky might clear up later on.

Unfortunately, it did not. I ended up taking only a few pictures. I did not even look around much because I wanted to save it for a sunny day!

Don't forget to check the WEATHER when you are going on a nice day trip!!!

Bronze statue of Amita Buddha in Kamakura

there is a nice surprise if you go inside but you have to pay 20 yen!

Kamakura cake I had at a cafe

It felt colder due to the rain.... we ended up staying mostly inside

Day Trip to Nikko

After finals were over at the end of February, I screamed out of joy walking out of the classroom. I am sure everyone knows how I felt. But I didn't realize that it was time to say good-bye to my dear friends who are leaving after this semester. For the past two weeks, over ten people left, so farewell parties have been endless and more to come...

SO! we planned to do something special and went to a day trip to Nikko. Nikko is 2 hours away from Tokyo, and is famous for its hot spring, waterfalls, and Nikko Toshogu Shrine. We planned to first go to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which is one of World Heritage. The shrine is famous for colorful and fabulously decorated buildings, Yomeimon Gate, Five Storied Pagoda, Nio Mon Gate and 3 carved monkeys. Then, we wanted to go to onsen, hot spring... but we didn't make it... because many of us had to do packing... After all, it was nice to be away from a forest of buildings and blend in nature with friends. But if anyone is traveling to Nikko, I strongly suggest to spend at least a night and enjoy with some time.

NIKKOOOOOOO!!!

YEAH!!! we are here!!!

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Five Storied Pagoda

3 carved monkeys meaning a child should not listen, say, and see evil things

restaurant we had lunch

The restaurant was full of messages

we left one as well!!

Food

When it comes to eating, I thought I was not picky. I thought I would have no problem in Japan because I am a big fan of Japanese food and other Asian food. It has been almost 5 months since I first arrived in Japan and I am starting to avoid sweet Japanese fastfood. I am craving for more flavorful food and, of course the spicy ones as well. Here, food can be really cheap or expensive. There are affordable Japanese fastfood restaurants all over, and it is impossible to miss those signs. But don't walk into any restaurant before knowing the price.

ummmm, yummy!!! you can get these in Japan!!! but...$$$

Every morning, I buy a sandwich and a drink at a convenient store on the way to school. For lunch, I eat at a school restaurant which serves great food really cheap. If you were ever dissatisfied with cafeteria food at UH (I have), I can guarantee that you are going to appreciate what they serve here at school. Just under 5 dollars, you will be satisfied. At some point, I began to wonder why food price at UH is so high and quality is always unsatisfactory. Here, they understand students' budget and still make quality food. For dinner, I used to eat out with other friends from my dorm, but I have gotten sick of eating out and started (trying) to cook in the dorm. It is too bad that I started to go to McDonald's more here than in Hawaii. For one day, I think I am spending about an average of $15 dollars. I am sure I can spend less if I tried harder, but I realized that I cannot eat the same Japanese fastfood everyday. Food cost is a big part of my expenses.

recognize this???

School, Exams, and Classes

As many people already know, Japanese school year starts in April and finishes in January.

Spring break lasts from the beginning of February to the end of March. Many students travel during this long break, and I am thinking about one as well.

A month of January has been extremely busy here. It has been like two weeks before finals at UH. All the reports and presentations are due soon and finals are approaching like a bullet train.

I have expected Japanese college to be relatively easier than American one, and it is clearly true in my opinion. Besides my Japanese classes which I have homework and tests weekly, other international courses (classes that are taught in English) here require only one report or a simple exam at the end. It is surprisingly simple. What is more surprising is that professors expect the same. Normally, Japanese college students enjoy their college lives until one or two weeks before their exams, and they are fine with only studying a few hours. Of course I am not complaining it at this point, but I think it is astonishingly different. One thing Japanese professors are strict about is deadline. They won't accept anything late. Usually, Professors are more strict about student's behavior during class. No gum, food, and even no drinks sometimes. Going to a restroom can be difficult as well.

Anybody wants French Fly???

A sign at the cafe at school

nice day!!! from the train

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!!

I wish all the best for everyone!!!

After moving into a dorm, I feel mentally and physically relaxed, and it has been great so far.

The month of eventful December seemed endless with "忘年会(bounenkai)”, a year-end party. The word literally means a party to forget that year. Luckily, I was able to survive through all the parties in December without forgetting much, and successfully make it to 2008. I ended up forming a social event every Thursday as well.

But I definitely missed my family and friends in Hawaii. Instead, I visited Korea and spent time with my family there. It was a great way to end a year.

our international social event on every Thursday night! (usually in Shibuya)

Christmas dinner in one of the dorms.

People cooked food from their own country.

sorry... could not cook locomoco or kalua pig.

My father and I climbed up a mountain behind our house in Korea to see the sunrise on January 1st. a snowy road to the mountaintop.

Sunrise from the mountaintop