By: Krystal Gallegos

Today was a really fun day as it was our first time getting to explore more of the area around Tokyo and meet some of our project group members from Meiji University. A portion of us started the morning exploring the area and we went to Kitanomaru Park as a quick wandering session before heading out to Meiji University. The park had really beautiful views and a calming vibe that I’m sure we all appreciated considering all of the traveling and metro hopping. I came prepared with my camera to help document the trip and I will be sharing photos as we moved along the day. Here are some photos from the day!

On our first day, we took a stroll through Kitanomaru Park after breakfast.

Thomas and Kenny enter Kitanomaru Park on our first day exploring Tokyo.

After exploring the Kitanomaru Park, we met Professor Katada at the Sakura Hotel and made our way together to Meiji University. At Meiji University, we had an upfront experience to university life in Japan through meeting the students and exploring the building. Personally, I couldn’t help but notice the architecture of the building and I was very impressed by the multiple floors, elevator, and studious facilities that Meiji has. After attending a brief lecture with Professor Katada, where we gave previews to our personal research groups, we attended a reception with members of Meiji’s Politics and Economics Department and some of our supporter students. Finally being able to meet some of the students was a really fun experience. They were all incredibly approachable and made an active effort to speak with us, and I feel that our group did a great job in establishing connections with them. More photos!

Tamia and a Meiji student pose for a quick photo op, quickly striking up a friendship.

Jessica and Taryn with their Meiji student supporters.

USC Professor Saori Katada with the Meiji University faculty.

USC student Kayla speaks to a Meiji student at our Welcome Reception.

Madeline and Athena speak to a Meiji student supporter at the Welcome Reception.

USC students (left to right) Keith, Thomas, Asha, Jessica, and Kenny pose for a quick photo with Meiji University students at our Welcome Reception.

During the reception, we found some of the members from our groups and exchanged contact information. Some of us added each other on LINE, the main Japanese messaging app, and on other apps like Instagram and Facebook. For example, Shon and I added one of our supporter students on LINE who goes by the name Arachan 🙂 It was very easygoing and comfortable meeting the Meiji students. I think I was a bit afraid of trying my Japanese skills with them but they were all very nice and willing to help me practice. After the reception, we received a warm welcome by some of the staff at Meiji including Professor Nelson and received orientation materials for the rest of our stay. Once orientation finished, we made our way back to our hotel with one of the Meiji students, Tatsuya. Here he is with Jessica as we made a quick stop at McDonald’s!

Jessica (left) and Tatsuki (right), a Meiji student supporter, speak about potential lunch food spots after our first day at Meiji.

And that was the end to our first visit to Meiji and the jump-start to our Maymester in Japan! I am incredibly excited to meet more of the Meiji students and explore Japan more in the next few weeks. Looking forward to all the cool stuff we’ll do such as taking some more photos and making new friends throughout the trip! Here’s a nice photo I took of Jessica as we walked back to our hotel 🙂

Jessica makes her way back to Sakura Hotel as we end our first meeting with the Meiji University students.

Overall, thank you Meiji for a great first day!