Category Archives: Travel

LAST PUSH! 6/6/19

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By: Kenneth Wong

What a wild couple of days it has been! The last few weeks have flown by and this Maymester is coming to a close. This blog post is for June 6th, two days before the end of the program. I started off the morning by sleeping in until 9am! I feel like I am finally getting used to the time difference in this country just in time to fly back to the States. I started off the day singing in the shower so I know I’ve become too comfortable living here! Today, I went to a small cafe named Streamer in Naka-Meguro. The public transportation in this country is remarkably efficient and easy to use… after a few mishaps. Despite how directionally challenged I am known to be, I find that traveling around the big city has become a luxury rather than a nuisance.

Beautiful day in Naka-Meguro! Perfect weather for work in the morning and walking around at night.

Streamers Coffee Company was not meant to serve as a breakfast and hangout session. Three Global East Asia Scholars, myself included, worked diligently to finish the big final paper rough draft! After waking up at 9 o’clock, I had a little less than 24 hours to finish my draft and submit it to Professor Katada. The goal was to complete the rest of the project to free up the remainder of the day. After several drinks and one banana, I was able to finish! Even when faced with a deadline, I was still able to enjoy the aesthetic and beauty of working in Japan.

After the cafe visit came editing with my research partner, Thomas, back in Jimbocho. The majority of the day was set as the backdrop for students to finish working on their projects. We were able to finish the project relatively quickly, so I went to Shibuya later that night! Most of this trip has been traveling in large groups, so moving in a group size of 3 had its own challenges. The temperature was 87 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly warmer than the previous few days. This gave the night a fresh feeling and made night walking down the streets of Tokyo remarkably comfortable.

View of the famous Shibuya crossing from the train station! Much more hectic at night!

I no longer feel stressed roaming the streets of Tokyo! Being unable to speak the language has been an issue, but it has pushed me to come up with creative solutions to not being able to communicate effectively. I am effectively a foreigner in this country with a limited understanding of the Japanese language, but I have not let that hinder my enjoyment and workflow in this foreign land.

It has taken three weeks, but a rhythm has been very much established in my daily life in Japan. Whether it be onigiri from the local conbini (Convenience Store), Pocari Sweat from the vending machine, or going sightseeing in the busy streets of Shibuya, this research process has gone by in the blink of an eye. Spending the morning at the cafe was a much needed calming of the storm, but this last push towards the finish line has been sensational!

Mount Fuji

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By: Momo

Hi friends!

Today our team had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Mount Fuji. Departing from Meiji University, the drive to the iconic volcano was filled with vibrant energy as we connected with our Meiji supporters. From Tokyo, the drive took a little under three hours. This put the speed of the Shinkansen into a new light as we had zipped by the beautiful mountain in what seemed like just half an hour the week before!

As we ascended the mountain, a heavy fog shrouded the windows, only adding to the anticipation. Professor Katada then announced that if we listened carefully, we would hear the music of Mount Fuji. I had never heard of this before, but the whole bus went silent in an attempt to hear the mountain’s song. The faint chimes coupled with the fog created a mystical atmosphere that had me in awe of Japan’s natural landscape.

Winding around the mountain, Professor Nelson from Meiji informed us that we would stop at the 5th station, which was bustling with tourist shots and (hopefully) a good view of the summit. Passing by lush evergreens, a clearing finally opened for a brief second, and we could see just how far we had driven. Then, we parked at the fifth station and disembarked the bus to observe all the location had to offer.

Getting off the bus, the fog thickened, and an icy cold enwrapped our bodies. After just experiencing a heatwave in Tokyo, I was thrilled by the refreshing cold and crisp mountain air. We could not yet see the summit, so our group decided to explore.

Walking into the main store, I was taken aback by all of the delicious goodies the vendors had on sale (I am sure you’ve heard this before, but I will say it again— the food, especially the sweets, are so good in Japan.) My eyes were first drawn to these scrumptious Mount Fuji Melon Cakes that were stuffed with custard. Since we could not yet see the actual mountain, a few of us purchased the little cakes, which proved to be a delicious alternative. As the yogi in me randomly decided to be healthy, I kept looking for a snack that would satiate my desires and commemorate the moment. After passing by rows of candies and pastries galore, I found a vendor at the back of the store selling apples. Fuji apples to be precise. Since Japan is an island, fruit is hard to come by and proves quite expensive! In fact, each of these apples cost the equivalent five US dollars! Since I had been craving fruit, and since the pun was just too good, I decided to splurge a little, and let me tell you, the apple was juicy, fresh, and delicious.

Mount FUJI Apple :^)

Fuji Cakes. Yum!

After the group finished wrapping up their purchases, we exited the store to a beautiful sight. The sun had broken through the fog for a brief moment and we were able to see the stunning beauty of the mountain. Tourists swarmed to get pictures in before the fog overtook the snow-capped summit. I quickly pulled out my phone to try and sneak some shots, but alas, the fog once again returned. At this point, it was time to head back to the bus to continue our journey to the Kiyosato retreat. Despite only seeing the summit for a brief moment, the aura of the environment, coupled with Mt. Fuji’s physical beauty, has me yearning to return to hike the mountain in the future. Until then, I cannot wait to experience the rest of the sights Japan has to offer. 

Fifth Station Store

Leaving for Kiyosato

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By: Asha Rao

Today my roommate, Shon, and I woke up at a glorious 7:00 am to get ready for our departure to the Kiyosato retreat facility. The morning meeting time may not have been the most favorable for my coffee-depleted body, but I have been waiting for this chance to travel and bond with all our Meiji supporters! We get to experience the beautiful mountainside, the precious moments with our supporting students, and (of course) the gorgeous yellow and white facade of google slides. To head over to the retreat facility, we hunkered down road-trip style and all filtered into a giant bus. I was honestly surprised at how many people were able to fit themselves and their luggage into one vehicle, but perhaps that is my American mind speaking. I honestly wish I could report more about the bus ride itself, but I was insanely tired and passed out. From my few waking moments, however, I can attest to the incredible beauty of the Japanese countryside. The green is almost overwhelming; a huge contrast to my perpetually dehydrated lawn back in Texas!

This picture was taken at our first pit stop along the ride.

We took our first pit stop about an hour down the road and we were allowed to grab a meal. I had an enormous bowl of soba and some tempura on the side, and I feel like I must say that the Japanese portion size is not always smaller than the American one! If it’s even possible, I slept way harder on the next leg to the retreat center with all those delicious noodles in my stomach. Our bus finally pulled into the parking lot of the retreat center around 3:00 pm, and we shuffled into the building to get checked in.

I honestly can’t believe that we were given the opportunity to spend time in such a gorgeous building. It is so spacious and peaceful, and the amount of natural light makes it look even larger. My roommates are named Haruno and Kaori. They aren’t the supporters for my project, but I’m really looking forward to getting to know people outside my immediate reach. Learning how to bypass this language barrier has provided such valuable lessons, both in my deliberateness with speaking, but also my creativity in explaining things! I have, of course, been constantly in awe with Japan and the opportunities this visit has offered me, but I think something about sharing a home with this crazy, diverse lot has really struck me. I will absolutely cherish my time here in Japan, and although we have a week left, I’m already starting to miss it.

The inner courtyard of the Kiyosato retreat facility!

After being served a strikingly DELICIOUS dinner, our entire group went outside to celebrate the start of the retreat with some sparklers and fireworks! I never imagined trying to light sparklers on fire could be such a social activity, but I think we really began to bond while shoving flammable fire sticks in each other’s faces. Once the fireworks finished, we headed inside to work in our groups to finish and/or polish our presentations for tomorrow (eek!). I imagine I’ll have to stay up late to finish my preparation work, but my excitement from finally seeing everything my friends have been working on these past couple weeks is giving me the energy to stick it out. I hope tomorrow is a collective win for all us USC and Meiji students!

Sparklers at the retreat

GEA Japan scholars and Meiji Students enjoying the sparklers and fireworks

Our Second Day in Kyoto

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By: Madeline Clasen

On our last day in Kyoto, we all woke up to eat breakfast and check out of our hotel. Then we were off to explore the offerings of the city. My research project partner, Athena, and I decided to check out Gion, the geisha district in Kyoto. We were hopeful that we might spot a few maiko, or geisha apprentices while there. Sadly, we didn’t see any geisha or maiko, but we did see a lot of people wearing yukata, a lighter cotton version of kimono worn in the summertime.

Gion is a neighborhood with many narrow twisting streets and traditional wooden houses and buildings. While there we visited various craft and souvenir shops and also stopped for some green tea flavored ice cream. It was also very hot outside so I stopped in one of the shops specializing in Japanese paper fans. With the weather as hot as it’s been these past few days, I think it will definitely come in handy.

One of the popular streets in Gion

We also visited the nearby Yasaka Shrine and took a walk in Marayuma park. We also hiked up to a Buddhist temple, where we took our shoes off outside before going in to take a look at the temple’s statues. In the park, we saw some koi fish swimming in the pond, and some beautiful traditional bridges and architecture.

The main gate to Yasaka Shrine

On the way back towards the station we were delighted by the roadside Buddhist statues and alters. Nearby signs instruct visitors to touch the statues for good luck and merit. We made sure to touch the ones we passed by. Hopefully we accumulated a lot of luck and merit to help us with our project here in Japan.

Instructions for touching roadside statues

One of the roadside statues near Gion

After a long day of walking through Gion and visiting shrines and temples, we hopped on the train and headed back to Kyoto station to catch our Shinkansen, or bullet train, back to Tokyo. The train travels at speeds close to 320 mph, meaning the trip that would take more than 5 hours by car, takes less than three hours by train.

Before getting on, we stopped in a shop in the station to buy an ekiben, a pre-made bento box available on trains and in train stations in Japan. There were lots of options to choose from and often times train stations sell bentos with regional ingredients or foods specific to the area. I decided on a Kansai region bento box, with lots of different types of vegetable side dishes.

Opening the bento to eat on the train

After our train ride back to Tokyo station, we all rode back to Sakura hotel and checked back in for some rest and relaxation before we start back to class at Meiji University on Monday morning. Kyoto was a wonderful experience jam packed with exciting things to do, see, and eat. I definitely hope to return to Kyoto in the future.

Dreaming in Kyoto

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By: Joseph Narcisse

On the morning of Friday, May 25th, each member of the group grabbed a few slices of toast and a cup of coffee and were on their way to Tokyo Station. It would be our first time riding the Shinkansen (Bullet Train). Once all boarded, we placed our bags above our reserved seats and embarked on a 2-hour train ride, zooming by famous peaks like Mount Fuji on the way.

After a quick ride that consisted of binge-watching TV shows, reading, and sleeping, we finally arrived at Kyoto Station! It was by far one of the most amazing train stations I have ever been to. The station was filled with up-to-date technology, modern architecture and held a dozen train tracks as well as hundreds of shops and restaurants.

Kyoto Station

After dropping our luggage off at Ibis Styles Kyoto Station (the hotel where we would be staying for the next two days), we headed right back across the street to Kyoto Station to grab lunch. The group split in two and aimlessly wandered around to find a restaurant. The group of 6 that I was with found Katsukura, a Japanese restaurant, and I ordered a plate of Tonkatsu.

Next, we went upstairs to the train tracks headed over to Fushimi Inari Taisha, commonly known as the Fushimi Shrine. This shrine sits at the base of a Mount Inari, and consists of a magical, seemingly unending path of over 5000 orange torii gates that wind up the mountain. I bowed before entering under the first torii gate – it is said that walking underneath them brings good luck! We then washed our hands at a chōzubachi, and water-filled basin just past the entrance of the shrine area. Worshippers are supposed to wash their left hand, then right, then mouth, and lastly the handle of the water ladle to purify themselves. Next, we began the hike up Mount Inari!

GEA Japan Scholars posting beneath the torii gates.

It typically takes about 2 hours to make it to the top of the shrine, but just a hair over 3 hours if you take as many Instagram photos as we did. We passed what felt like an infinite amount of torii gates, both large and small, and hundreds of mini-shrines where we would ring bells signifying good luck, pray, and leave written pieces of our goals and wishes on small pieces of wood. At one of these shrines, we followed a ritual where we tossed a 5 yen coin (approximately a US nickel), into a barred area followed by two bows, a prayer or wish, and one final bow. At another, we estimated the weight of a stone before lifting it off of a pedestal, and if the stone was lighter than we predicted, the wish we made before was believed to come true.

We then headed back down to the base of the mountain and stopped by a food marketplace on our way. I tried matcha ice cream for the first time and grabbed a half-vanilla half-matcha desert that was fantastic. Afterward, we caught the bullet train back to Kyoto and got ready for dinner.

Vanilla & Matcha Ice Cream

For dinner, a group of us walked roughly a mile from the hotel to Sujin Shinmachi, a food-marketplace that was brimming with life. Everybody got an entirely different dish; the plates ranged from cooked sausage and rice to kushiage (vegetable skewers). I bought a bowl of sweet chicken with noodles and had a ginger-ale on the side. To finish up the night, we sat and talked for a few hours, then head back to the hotel to get ready for the morning.

My dinner at Sujin Shinmachi: sweet chicken with noodles and a ginger-ale on the side.

Arriving at Narita and Checking Into Sakura Hotel

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By: Alexander Maertens

We started off the day on a plane. As we approached Narita airport in Tokyo, it was raining and a thick fog obscured our vision so we did not even realize how close we were to the ground as we made our descent. We all landed safely, passed through immigration and customs, and collected our checked bags. The first thing everyone noticed when we got off the plane was the humidity! Even while still inside the air-conditioned airport we could feel the wave of hot, moist air cling to our skin. Still at Narita airport, we split up into groups for a moment and some people went to go exchange their American currency for Japanese Yen and others went to go retrieve SIM cards and pocket WiFi. After a long 11 hour flight, the GEA group was pretty exhausted but equally excited to finally be in Japan.

Next, we had to make our way from the airport to Sakura Hotel in Jimbocho. We carefully followed Professor Katada’s lead, filed in a single line like ducklings, as we walked to the train station. At this point we took an express train from the airport to Tokyo Station. Once again assuming the duckling formation, we made way through the Tokyo Metro’s labyrinth of underground twists and turns, crowds of people all on their commutes home, and many flights of stairs to get from train to train. In a remarkable collective effort, we all made it in one piece through the metro to finally arrive in Jimbocho.

Lobby of Sakura Hotel in Jimbocho

At the Sakura Hotel, we were able to meet our TA, Kyohei, and check in to our rooms. The Sakura Hotel was, in a word…cozy. The small rooms and narrow hallways were emblematic of Tokyo’s compact nature. The hotel lobby was nicely decorated with flags from all around the world and there were other gaikokujin (foreigners) sitting in the small cafeteria which created a sense of welcoming for our crew.

After receiving our room assignments from Kyohei, we all dropped off our luggage in our rooms and began thinking about the next challenge of the day: What are we going to eat!? When we landed it was around 4:30 p.m. and by now it was close to 9:00 p.m. We had been traveling for an entire day and everyone was tired and hungry. For our first meal in Japan, the choice was obvious to us all, Family Mart! Without even coordinating, we all ended up meeting at the convenience store just a block away from the Sakura Hotel. The selection and quality of food at the Family Mart is so much better than any convenience store in the United States. Some of the things we were able to get included, chicken skewers, bento boxes, onigiri (rice balls), and noodles. Everyone also made sure to stock up on water because even just the five-minute walk from the train station to the Sakura Hotel had us all dehydrated. As we prepare for our first full day in Japan tomorrow, keeping hydrated will certainly be one of our top priorities for staying energized.

One of our rooms in Sakura Hotel

After eating our food in the front cafeteria of the hotel and with jet lag already sinking in, we all retired to our rooms, took showers and went to sleep. Here’s to the start of our Japanese adventure!

The Beginning of a Journey: LAX to NRT

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By: Athena Foo

GEA Japan students waiting to board flight

Waiting to board our flight!

One by one as each of us arrived at our departure gate it was clear that, despite our morning grogginess, feelings of excitement and anticipation was in the air as we approach the first step on our Global East Asia Japan adventure. Even though some of us have been to Japan before, we were still ecstatic at the prospect of returning and enjoying new experiences in the country with a research-driven focus. As we waited to board, many of us began discussing with our group members about our research proposals that we would be presenting at Meiji University. Between naps and an entertainment system full of the latest movie releases, who knows how much we could get done? Good thing we have some time after we reach Tokyo to finish up the proposals before they are due.

Airplane with a BB-8 paint job.

Airplane with a BB-8 paint job.

One of the other Air Nippon Airways (ANA) planes at the gate had a paint job mimicking the Star Wars droid BB-8. While I am I little jealous of the passengers on that flight, I do look forward to seeing Japan’s use of a wide variety of characters and mascots to represent products, prefectures, and stores. Perhaps products featuring such characters would be fun souvenirs to bring back to family and friends? The beginning of our trip went smoothly as all 16 students boarded without a problem (which is not surprising seeing how we have all flown on international flights before) and our plane took off without any delay.

ANA grilled mackerel meal.

ANA grilled mackerel meal.

About an hour into our flight we were served drinks and a meal. This is my first time flying with ANA and I noticed a few subtle differences in the drink selection compared to the North American airlines that I’m used to flying on. For example, iced green tea is available and hot tea is served after every meal. Also, Coke is also often referred to as cola, so I will have to keep that in mind if I ever want to order any once I arrive in Japan. As for the meal, we had a choice between a ‘Japanese style’ meal with grilled mackerel and an ‘international style’ with grilled chicken. I chose the mackerel meal and was delighted to see that it came with various side dishes like zaru soba (cold noodles in dipping sauce), potato salad, edamame, eggs, and more. To top it all off everyone got a small container of Häagen-Dazs ice cream for dessert! This meal was probably one of the best airplane meals I have ever had and now I am really excited to try all sorts of different Japanese foods once we arrive from traditional delicacies to strange and unique candies.

Enroute to Narita Airport

So with my belly full, I began falling into a food coma as my eyelids grew heavy and the cabin lights were switched off. Perhaps it was time to rest up for the exciting journey ahead before we landed in Japan.

Japan, Here I Come!

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By: Tamia Ejekpokpo

I can’t believe I’m going to Japan tomorrow. When I was told back in December that my classmates and I would be going to Japan in May, traveling to Japan felt so far away. Now it is the night before the trip and it all feels surreal.

I’ve been to Japan before (Tokyo and Yokohama specifically), but this time feels just as special as the first time because I will be seeing new areas like Kyoto and Hiroshima. I can not wait to see these places and learn about their culture and landmarks.

Before going to Japan, Professor Katada had us read books and watch documentaries that gave my classmates and me a crash course on Japan’s history, culture, and economics so we understood more about Japan. Joe, my research partner, and I decided we are going to write our research paper on the black experience in Japan. The paper is in its preliminary stages but we considered writing about black foreigners’ experiences in Japan, cultural appropriation in Japan (specifically of Black culture), and mixed-race black and Japanese people living in Japan. We initially planned on talking only about black foreigners in Japan but ultimately decided to expand on that because we were inspired by a documentary Professor Katada showed us in class called Hafu. The documentary details the lives of mixed raced Japanese people living in Japan. It was pretty sad to watch the documentary and see that a majority of the kids and adults featured in the documentary have been harassed or treated differently because they were not fully Japanese. It’s been about six years since the documentary was released and I want to find out during my trip if Japanese people have become more receptive to those who are not fully Japanese.

Finding out these type of questions will require me to speak in Japanese.  I’m nervous and excited about practicing my Japanese with locals.  When I first visited Japan over a year and a half ago, I barely knew any Japanese. The most I could muster was arigatougozaimasu (Thank you) and ikura desuka (How much?). After taking three semesters of Japanese, I am nowhere near fluent, but I am able to make basic conversation.

The book on the left is for learning how to write and read Kanji, the book in the middle is a guide on Japanese vocabulary, and the book on the right is about Japanese grammar.

Packing hasn’t been very fun since I have to narrow down which clothes I want to bring.  I am an overpacker and I want to bring every outfit for any possible occasion I may come across. I thought researching Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Kyoto’s weather in May and June would make it easier for me to pick which outfits would be best appropriate for the weather, but Tokyo and Hiroshima tend to be hot and humid, while Kyoto tends to be on the cooler side. So I tried my best picking outfits that would be good for these weather conditions.

My carry-on bag which includes clothes, a portable steamer, and my must-have skincare products.

I hate long flights (anything over 5 hours) because I get bored sitting in the same place for a long period of time. Since this flight is about 14 hours, I’ve been trying to find things I can do to keep myself occupied. I plan on continuing reading Becoming by Michelle Obama. I read some of it during this past December break, but since school resumed, I haven’t had a chance to pick it back up. When I’m ready to exercise a different part of my brain, I will review Japanese terms and grammar.  And of course, I will be watching some movies on the plane. I really hope the 14 hours go by quickly.

The Big T: Scenery from Tokyo

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By: Vincent Jenkins

Skyscrapers, Trains, and People, oh my! A metropolitan characterized by its bustling neon filled streets, complicated metro system, and abundance of people, Tokyo is a place that is rivaled by no other.

While Tokyo is quite different to other metropolitan areas it is similar as well. Waking up to sounds of ambulances and trying not to get hit by a taxi are all familiar occurrences from my home of Los Angeles. With that being said Tokyo is different from Los Angeles in that Tokyo is not a city. By definition, Tokyo is a Japanese prefecture and within that prefecture are different wards and divisions such as Akihabara and Shibuya. Starting off my day meant walking to a part of Tokyo known as Ochanomizu (御茶ノ水) to travel to our host institution, Meiji University. With all the familiarity of home one can find a McDonalds, with better orange juice than you’ll get back in the States, teenagers walking with their faces in their phones, and a bicyclist who is late to work.

Growing up in a rather large city like Los Angeles, being in Tokyo seemed familiar and during my time here I have found myself feeling at home. With class at Meiji University over in the morning it was time to navigate Tokyo’s complicated metro system to get to Shinagawa (品川) for a meeting at Microsoft Japan. In terms of public transportation, Tokyo, and by extension Japan as a whole, has the entire Western Hemisphere beat in efficiency and reliability. When the schedule says a train is leaving at 9:33 that train is leaving at 9:33, with or without you. For someone who has never ridden on a large public transit system the task can be overwhelming but with English signs, a color coded line system, helpful station personnel, and an even more helpful transit app, navigating Tokyo public transit can be done. A transfer and a few stops later I found myself in the heart of Shinagawa’s business district, surrounded by business people during the lunch rush.

Credit: Vincent Jenkins | @albinosouffle | Ochanomizu, Japan

Finishing my meeting at Microsoft I was now free to go about my day. I could return to Meiji to work on research or find somewhere a little more scenic. While on the platform at Shinagawa station I made a last second decision and decided to hope on the train to Shibuya. Navigating through the construction within Shibuya station I was greeted by the famed Shibuya crossing. With billboards on billboards and lights that could be seen from space it was indeed a sight to behold. Surrounded by tourists and their cameras I spotted something that everyone on USC’s campus is all too familiar with – Starbucks. With its location in Shibuya this particular Starbucks was filled with people but a decent amount of said people were not there for Seattle’s best, but instead wanted a glimpse of the Shibuya Crossing Rush from a higher vantage point. Not able to get a glimpse of the rush from a window myself I settled with doing paperwork for the next few hours at a nearby viewless table. With paperwork done and exhaustion settling in, it was time to head back to Meiji University, but what awaited me was something that I hope to only experience once.

Credit: Vincent Jenkins | @albinosouffle | Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

With the help of my Japan transit app I figured out the fastest way back to Meiji was via the Saikyo Line (埼京線) and to say this was a bad idea is an understatement. One of the more notable videos about Tokyo’s metro system consists of passengers being pushed into packed trains by station personnel hoping to keep everything on schedule. I can now say confidently first hand that I have experienced such an event and would not recommend it for the faint of heart. With no concept of personal space we were all packed into a steel tube on wheels until reaching our individual destinations. Assaulted by an assortment of smells, weird glares of trying to figure out who pushed who, and the occasional coughing riding the Saikyo Line during rush hour on a Tuesday is not a fun experience. Luckily for myself I only needed to ride said train for one stop and walking off of, or rather being pushed off of that train, was a relief I haven’t felt since finals season ended.

Credit: Vincent Jenkins | @albinosouffle | Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

At the end of the day one thing cannot be disputed, Tokyo is a large metropolis. It has a population of over 37.8 million people, a transit system that, while sometimes cramp, is rivaled by no other, and more ramen places that one hopes to try in a lifetime. With its large population and humid weather it is a marvel of human ingenuity and persistence to survive the day to day of work and social life. Tokyo you are a crowded and complicated city like no other, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

From the West to the East!

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By: Chandler Zausner

Last week may have been a long week, which was a half of hard work, but we’re finally off to Japan. Since the first meeting in April, we’ve learned so much about government, business and politics- the Iron Triangle of Japan. We’ve watched movies about politicians, on outsiders as well as those of mixed descent. Now it’s time that we step into the shoes of Americans like Commodore Perry and General MacArthur who encountered Japan at various stages, as we make our journey to a new land. It doesn’t matter how heavy the suitcase or how long the line is at TSA, we are determined to get to our destination. Everyone woke up early to get to LAX, possibly woke up even earlier than necessary because of the excitement. At least the sun is up, unlike the Global East Asia China trip students who took off at 4:30 am!

The flight is eleven hours long, but strangely, it will actually be tomorrow afternoon by the time we arrive in Tokyo. I plan to use the time on the flight to sleep, practice phrases in Japanese, review my research, and plan our adventures! I am a visual anthropologist and transmedial storyteller. My interests are in amplifying the small voice of marginalized individuals and communities that are in danger of extinction. My work ranges from documentary essays, both written and film, to narrative fiction and abstract multimedia installations. My research topic in Japan is to explore one of those marginalized communities, to investigate the culture bound syndrome of hikikomori, which is when young individuals, mostly men, shut themselves away in their homes for months or years. I hope to visit local community centers, agencies and newspapers to understand how other Japanese view this issue. I’ll also be exploring how modern culture portrays hikikomori in an increasingly positive light and whether that affects the people themselves or those around them in a positive way. I’ve spent a lot of time watching anime and reading manga- purely research, of course!

The Plane to take us on our Fantastic Journey

Although our classroom discussions have centered on “Japan, Inc.,” I’m looking forward to experiencing “Cool Japan.” I’ve signed up for almost every sight to see on the class doc, everything from ancient temples to hedgehog cafes. Ancient Japanese art, literature and culture is something that was not included in this class, but are subjects that I’ve taken in the past, which have exposed me to treasures from The Pillow Book to Bunraku to Legends of the elusive Kitsune. I’m nervous about speaking the little Japanese I know and hope to find safety in the group, especially our Meiji partners. The more I think about it, it feels like a voyage to another planet but I know that we will discover more in common than I know.

Everyone seems to have a range of light and heavy loads of luggage, a of snacks and breakfast are being eaten and our classmates are coming into the airport from a multitude of rides. After meeting in the terminal and passing through TSA, we are gathered at the gate, waiting for our flight to be called, our bags by our sides, and our adventure to begin.

Everyone together