My year long exchange to Nagasaki, Japan! Where I will be experiencing a brand new culture, everything is unfamiliar but amazing. Japanese food, history, traditions, temples/shrines, dorm life, shiba inu's, trends, school, onsens.. so much :}
My personal experience of teaching english in Japan started off pretty strange. One day I was walking back to my host parents house on a hot day, I was a sweaty mess, my hair was in a big lazy bun on my head, glasses on, and the sweat it was really really bad.. but as I was walking a Japanese man pulled his car over right next to me out of nowhere!
He asked me several times, "do you speak english?? do you speak english??"
I told him I did and he offered me a job at his international preschool teaching english.
I was immediately stoked! A job teaching English, playing with cute kids, and a way to encourage these youngsters to expand their horizons and teach them about America.
So thats how i started working at スカイ インターナショナル プレスクール Skye International Preschool :)
This is my class of students! I taught 4 times a week, i would teach basic english to the youngest students (2,3,4 years old) and we would sing songs in english and practice colors, animals, and emotions. It was very fun going to this school because the students loved english and America :) They loved it when I told them new worlds or would say very American things like 'you're silly!' and 'you smell like a pig!' my students loved calling each other animals and our animal games were their favorite part of my lessons.
We taught the students geography and about other countries because their were teachers at this school from all over the world. In this picture above was my coworker Aunrag, he was from India. In the top picture was another teacher named Pingo and he was from Africa. The students were shown flash cards of the flags from each country, and we also had art activities were we made big flags from all over the world.
I was lucky to be asked to teach at this international school. Students and teachers here all loved teaching and learning about the world and all the unique properties each culture of their own has :)
The Cute'ness that is Japan, is a mastered art. I feel safe generalizing when I say that EVERYTHING in Japan can and will be altered so that it will make all the young school girls squeal "Kawaiiii!" School supplies and clothing are one thing, but Japan has turned food, manholes, cookware, non-cute things, and even poop into unbearable cute versions of themselves.
Japan's cute culture influences everything and everyone. On buses I would see lots of different types of people, male and female, old and young, and clipped to their phones and backpacks/bags/purses would be cute little figurines of one piece characters, or mini stuffed animals, bells, or a Shinto and/or Buddhism piece that had been cute-a-fied. The cute culture of Japan is so strong of a movement that most Japanese people have to participate in. Every tourist shop in each prefecture had an abundance of cute phone charms, snacks & sweets, stationary and just about anything else you could think of. There were stores at the malls dedicated to only selling EXTREMELY cute things.
To be cute is all that matters in Japan. Woman in America want to be seen as beautiful and mature; however in this cute culture in Japan, being cute is everything. Most girls at my college in Japan would all dress in the same skirt, tights, and blouse if it meant they were cute. Compliments were only valid if they had 'kawaii' or 'amai' in them. I always overheard young men sayin
g to one another 'me-chya kawaii ne!!' (Super cute!) when checking girls out on tv, mags, or at school. Cute cute cute.
Japanese celebrities?! Goodie! Everyone secretly stalks the untalented, yet beautiful disasters of the spotlight, and Japan is definitely in when it comes to pumping out good looking young people for the sake of money. Though, not all the celebrities on my list will be actual people; as Japan is the mecca of animation, it wouldn't be complete without some of their animated heroes. Japan idolizes some pretty odd beings(as maybe the rest of world thinks of our Paris Hiltons, and Charlie Scheens) But it I guess it all comes down to our cultural differences.
AKB48 is the worlds largest Girl group with an astounding 158 members. I assume it started at 48... Originated in Akihabara in Tokyo, where they got their name, were instantly popular. A group of young, pretty women, all in matching outfits singing cute songs. This is Japan. AKB48 merch, advertisements, and music! is hard to miss. The youngest member is 13 and the oldest is in her mid-twenties. Member's last long, as the group is afraid they will grow old and frail within a year so they have to send them off to a retirement home after a few shows. Actually that's not completely true.
Here's one of their most famous songs "Heavy rotation" just watched it, pretty scandalous for Japan!
Now for not only a Japanese celebrity but the first "Anime Ambassador" of Japan. Doraemon! The great and powerful time traveling cat. This funny looking feline is pretty much Japans mascot. Not very cute(astonishing!) but none the less, hes extremely popular. He was created back in 1969, so not only is he not cute but hes old! His purpose in life(in his anime/manga) is traveling back in time and teaching a young boy by the name of Nobi life lessons. Doraemon has won countless awards, has a manga, anime, movie, modeling contracts/sponsorships, charity organizations, and even a musical. As you see, he has a major following and represents for Japan. Respect him because he has no ears.
Next up is someone you could recognize, this little fella spawns form the most popular anime in Japan, and because he is the only fairly cute thing in it, has succeeded in becoming the most loved character. I'm talking about One Pieces very own, Chopper! These animated characters in Japan gain so much popularity its incredible! Every child loves chopper because hes cute, and adults love him because hes cute, and badass. Because hes apart of a pirate team in one piece, he needs to be able to kick some ass and he proves quite worthy. When hes not busy being cute, he can transform into a big beast form of himself and is pretty strong. Tony Tony Chopper, the moose to rule them all.
I should try to add in more actual human-being celebrities, but its hard. Japan really has a thing for these animated critters. Hentai. So the next celebs are not crazy popular like chopper, doreamon, or AKB48 but non the less deserve a spot on this list for their neatness. Golden Bomber is a punk rock comedy band that actually doesn't really play music. None of them can play any instruments, they just "air" play and other people play for them. I'm serious. These guys are known for being so un-Japanese and doing the most outrageous things. They just wanted to be popular...
Seijin no hi, coming of age day in Japan is celebrated on the second monday of January. This day celebrates all the young people who turned 20 that year. In Japan, turning 20 is when one becomse an adult. At the age of 20, Japanese can vote, drink, and smoke.
The coming of age day in Japan is a national holiday and is celebrated all over Japan. Young peopleare encouraged to become self-reliant adults with the coming of this holiday. Usually for this celebration, there is a large gathering of all the young people and their families and the mayor will give a traditional speech. However, in recent years these traditions have been breaking in the sense that the young people are very disruptive during the speeches and sometimes go outside to blow off fireworks instead.
The young women get very dolled up for this event. Kimono's(furisode), up-do hair styles, and lots of make up. While the young men usually wear suits; though, the more 'yankee' (a.k.a. punks) will wear their kimonos as well.
Before the age of consent was decided on back in 1876, boys became adults at the age of 15 and their forelocks would be cut. The woman would become adults at 13 or so and their teeth were then dyed black. However now the age of legal adulthood is 20 and they party instead of downgrade their looks.
Some beautiful young ladies in their furisode's! which are the kimono's but different in that their designs are more intricate and the sleeves long and the furry thing.
The men in suits which is most common, and sometimes in their kimono's :)
Setsubun's is celebrated on February 3, or 4 which is the beginning of the spring, according to the Japanese lunar calender. Meaning, 'seasonal division' setsubun is a special holiday in Japan that is widely celebrated.
Before I explain the demons and the beans and the burning of shit I must say that I participated in setsubun in Nagasaki, Japan. Holidays in other parts of Japan differ sometimes and some of the things I did in Nagasaki may not happen in Honshu or Hokkaido.
Setsubun is the time of year that you buy some beans, give your kids demon masks, and pelt them with beans. Back in the day, people would throw beans at demons to drive them away and with the evil spirits gone, good fortune would come your way.
However, these evil spirits can be driven away with loud noises like the taiko drums, and from the smoke of burning wood.
"Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!"
Demon's out! Happiness in!
As you yell this and throw around the beans, afterwards you are supposed to eat as many beans as your age. However, I didn't see anyone do this :/ but that could be another case of Japan half-assing their culture.
A bunch of monks set up this and prayed for the demons to vacate the premises.
While they're asking the demons to leave people take it upon themselves to burn items in their house that may bring bad spirits in or if they missed trash day.
The city of Nagasaki, the city of slopes, has many historical sights, top cityscape views in the world, staple foods, and unique cultural events :) because Nagasaki is so amazing I made it a goal to see everything (and eat everything) on my travels when I stayed there for my year-long study abroad. The things I have chosen are the things that were most fun, beautiful, and seen as a must by the locals.
1. The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
The atomic bomb museum is a must see for locals and foreigners alike. The devastation caused by the atomic bomb is out of this world and horrifying. The Nagasaki city website says that the museum serves as a powerful reminder of the true nature of nuclear weapons and of the pressing need for world peace. Seeing what it was like for the people in the vicinity of the explosion after the bomb is well documented in this museum, the struggles some people went through to survive, and a representation of the destruction caused to this area in Japan. Close to the museum is Nagasaki's peace park. Also a symbolism of peace after the bomb.
2. Mt. Inasa sights!
Mountain Inasa is a hill to the west of Nagasaki in which all of Nagasaki and its boat harbor can be seen from. There is a rope way travelers take from the shrine at the bottom of the hill to the top. Your view from the top is breathtaking. The night cityscape view is what made mt. Inasa famous, making it one of the top views in the world to see at night!
3. Pray for luck at Suwa Shrine
Suwa Shrine is the biggest Shinto shrine in Nagasaki. Not only is this place enormous but it's very traditional, old, and all major festivals and Shinto related events always have a celebration at the shrine. However, to get to this shrine please be in shape! The stairs are never ending and the only only water at the top in cleansing water :D
4. Seaside park, Dejima
Seaside park outside of the Dejima wharf is an amazing park that always has its fountains on, grass green, and families playing around it. The park is located right on the seaside and there is no better place to stop and relax. Big festivals like hanabi, and kunchi are celebrated here
5. Glover Gardens Is a park in Nagasaki that was built for Thomas Blake Glover because of his work in shipbuilding , coal mining and other fields. The gardens are built on a hillside in an area with old restored Meiji period European homes. One of the most unforgettable aspects of these gardens is the giant koi pound at the top of the hill, a pound with hundreds of funny koi dying to play, is a dream here that needs to be experienced :)
I spent my 21st birthday in Japan, and while turning 21 in America is a huge deal because I could finally drink, the drinking age in Japan is 20 and I didn't know what to expect at all when my day came :) it turned out my 6 year old host sister from a previous host family during my year long stay was had my same birthday. My entire host family each got me a gift, even my quite host dad got me some kitty socks.
Like any family with small children celebrating is important. We had cake, opened presents, and I shared beer with my host dad.
The next day I took a train to kitakyushyu, a city in the most northern part of the island of Kyushu. My best Japanese friend Rika invited me to spend the weekend with her family at her house. As traditional Japanese go, I was treated wonderfully and they entertained me the whole weekend. First her parents took the family (me, Rika, and her lil bro) out to a buffet where we pigged out, then they took me sight seeing till midnight all around kitakyushyu, it was beautiful!
When we got back home Rikas family had boughten plenty of beers and a cake for me :) this family was full of big drinkers and loved watching me drink because no matter how much I drank I never turned red, unlike the typical Asian gene that causes them to turn red with sometimes even a little alcohol.
Birthdays in Japan can be pretty crazy, but overall I'd say my experience was warm and loving as I got to spend my special with two amazing families that took care of me :)
海の日 umi no hi, sea day is a national holiday in Japan celebrated every third monday of July. Umi no Hi is celebrating the return of the Meiji Emperors return from Hokkaido, also this day was named to give appreciation to the ocean for everything it provides people and because Japan is an island nation the sea is very representative of them. Locals take this day to go to the ocean usually, since its celebrated in July the beaches are bomb and the weather in humid as hell! In some places in Japan umi no hi is celebrated by rowing boats decorated with lanterns and paper kite fish into the ocean.
There are many aspects to Japan's culture that make the Japanese respectful of the environment. Holidays like Ocean Day reflect the morals and mentally of Japan as a nation; having a day that apperciates the ocean for providing food, surrounding their country, and for fun.
and/or Buddhism piece that had been cute-a-fied. The cute culture of Japan is so strong of a movement that most Japanese people have to participate in. Every tourist shop in each prefecture had an abundance of cute phone charms, snacks & sweets, stationary and just about anything else you could think of. There were stores at the malls dedicated to only selling EXTREMELY cute things.
Next up is someone you could recognize, this little fella spawns form the most popular anime in Japan, and because he is the only fairly cute thing in it, has succeeded in becoming the most loved character. I'm talking about One Pieces very own, Chopper! These animated characters in Japan gain so much popularity its incredible! Every child loves chopper because hes cute, and adults love him because hes cute, and badass. Because hes apart of a pirate team in one piece, he needs to be able to kick some ass and he proves quite worthy. When hes not busy being cute, he can transform into a big beast form of himself and is pretty strong. Tony Tony Chopper, the moose to rule them all. 
Setsubun is the time of year that you buy some beans, give your kids demon masks, and pelt them with beans. Back in the day, people would throw beans at demons to drive them away and with the evil spirits gone, good fortune would come your way. 
Is a park in Nagasaki that was built for Thomas Blake Glover because of his work in shipbuilding , coal mining and other fields. The gardens are built on a hillside in an area with old restored Meiji period European homes. One of the most unforgettable aspects of these gardens is the giant koi pound at the top of the hill, a pound with hundreds of funny koi dying to play, is a dream here that needs to be experienced :)
I spent my 21st birthday in Japan, and while turning 21 in America is a huge deal because I could finally drink, the drinking age in Japan is 20 and I didn't know what to expect at all when my day came :) it turned out my 6 year old host sister from a previous host family during my year long stay was had my same birthday. My entire host family each got me a gift, even my quite host dad got me some kitty socks.
Birthdays in Japan can be pretty crazy, but overall I'd say my experience was warm and loving as I got to spend my special with two amazing families that took care of me :)
