The Lives and Adventures of the 2007

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Dartmouth: Japan Style!

今日は！（Hello!）My name is Sophie Hood. I have just finished my sophomore year at Dartmouth and this summer I will be working as the Teaching Assistant on the 2007 Dartmouth Language Study Abroad program in Japan. Throughout the summer I will be making entries on this site so that you can keep track of our progress and travels during our stay in Japan. 始めましょう！(Let’s begin!)

Pre-Japan

Japan Arrival

June 23^rd: Meeting Host Families!

After recovering at least a little bit from the long flight over, we journeyed to Kanda Gaigo Daigaku to meet with our host families over a scrumptious reception. Though a little nervous at first, everyone looked like they were having a wonderful time beginning to get to know each other!

After everyone ate their fill, students departed with their host families to various areas around Chiba and Tokyo to begin their life and studies in Japan! The next step: Classes! Which begin on Monday, June 25^th. がんばってね！

*I apologize for those who got left out of pictures…I did my best to catch as many people as possible, but alas! I will continue to try my hardest!

July 4^th: Tokyo Disney Sea!

For the Fourth of July sixteen of us (including two students from KUIS) went to Tokyo Disney Sea after classes, for an afternoon chock full of fantabulous Disney adventures! Tokyo Disney Sea is right next door to Tokyo Disney Land in Maihama. Disney Sea is a Disney theme park unique to Japan…it is based on the sea ports of the world and within its walls you can travel from the canals of Italy to the Arabian Sea Coast, from tropical jungles to Cape Cod. The sets were amazing – Disney really did a spectacular job, and everyone had a great time.

Here we are at the Disney port station. From the right back we have Jae, Karn, Sam, Haruka, Claudio, Michelle, Shelley, Donna, Kelly, then coming back on the bottom from the left are Yu, Michael, Joe, Angel, Cannon, and Kate.

On the right we have Claudio, Kelly, Cannon, and Kate on the monorail to Disney Sea. Even the monorail is Disney-tastic.

On the left, in front of both a pirate ship and the shores of Italy, are Kelly, Me (Sophie) and Yu.

July 7^th-8^th: Weekend Trip to Nikko

This past weekend we made the journey to Nikko, a beautiful area a couple hours (by train) north of Tokyo, surrounded by mountains, green trees, and monkeys! (No kidding! We saw a whole group of them!)

Here we are waiting for the train that would take us to Nikko. We left from Asakusa, Tokyo.

On the right is the magnificent Shinkyou.

On the left, Ericson-sensei debriefs us before entering the Toushougu; the burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Everyone together at Toushougu.

Dinner Saturday night at the hotel, Japanese Banquet style – everything was extremely delicious!

すごくおいしかった！

　　　　　　　

*I apologize for the extreme delay in updating this blog. Updates have been ready for weeks, but there have been quite a few technical difficulties. Hopefully you will not have to wait so long next time! But, all is well, everyone is genki (full of pep and vigor), and ready for more!

July 18^th: Studio Ghibli Museum

Today 13 of us sojourned to Mitaka after classes to visit the Studio Ghibli Museum. Studio Ghibli is the animation studio created by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle…just to name a few of his movies!). The museum is small, but packed full of everything from sketches by Miyazaki, to a life-size statue of the robot from Castle in the Sky nestled on the roof of the museum, to a small theater with it’s own short feature.

On the top left is the giant robot the stands atop the museum. Center top is our groupやった! To the left is a view of the museum from the roof and on the bottom left is Claudio, Joe, Sam and Chris on the bus to the museum…oh the excitement!

July 20^th – 22^nd: Nihonmatsu 二本松

This past weekend we all traveled by shinkansen (bullet train) to Nihonmatsu, in Fukushima prefecture. Leaving bright and early from Tokyo Station on Friday, we made it to Nihonmatsu by mid-morning. Here we learned about Dr. Kan’ichi Asakawa who went to Dartmouth starting in 1895. (Thus the bond between Dartmouth and Nihonmatsu.) We visited his school in Nihonmatsu, the famous burial sight of the English dictionary cover (of which he ate all the pages as he memorized the words), and his grave, where we honored his memory. All day we traveled from place to place, seeing the sights of the town. In the evening we met our home stay families over a delicious bento-box dinner and went our separate ways to spend the weekend with our host families…though our stay was short, it was extremely enjoyable!

Claudio and Joe posing with Onibaba

Playing around…Nihonmatsu style!

Donna and Shelly posing with Onibaba

June 27^th: Yasakuni Shrine and Museum

This past Friday we made the trek by train and subway to the controversial Yasakuni Shrine and war museum. The day was record-breaking hot, but we made it and had a good look at the shrine and museum that has caused so much uproar.

June 28^th: Sports Event with Host Families

As the traditional BBQ (to be held a few weeks ago) was cancelled due to a severe typhoon, in its stead was a sports day this past Saturday. The day was brutally hot, but despite the heat, everyone gave it they’re all! Everyone had a great time playing ping pong and dodge ball (the competition was fierce!). Afterwards we enjoyed a lunch of sandwiches and cool drinks in the marvelously air-conditioned cafeteria, along with a short awards ceremony.

And now we prepare for the infamous Kansai Ryokou (travel)! We will be leaving this Saturday (August 4^th). Here is the (revised) itinerary:

August 4^th: Depart at 9:36 am on the Sinkansen for Kyoto

August 5^th: Visit Nara

August 6^th: Arrive in Hiroshima and stay on Miyajima (island)

August 7^th: Arrive in Unzen

August 8^th: Arrive in Nagasaki, stay in Hakata

August 9^th: Leave Hakata and arrive at Himeji

August 10^th: Leave Himeji, visit Kobe and arrive back in Tokyo in the early evening

Excitement intensifies as the start of the trip quickly approaches!

KANSAI RYOKOU! 2007 (August 4^th through the 10^th )

This past week we all journeyed from Tokyo to Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Unzen, Nagasaki, Hakata, Himeiji, and finally Kobe on a grand seven-day trip through Japan.

Day 1: We departed bright and early from Tokyo Station on a shinkansen bound for Kyoto. Arriving in the afternoon, we left our bags at the ryokan (Japanese-style hotel), visiting various spots around Kyoto, ending with the Kinkakuji temple. Later that day, we returned to the hotel and had a scrumptious Japanese-style banquet.

Day 2: Nara

On day two we took the train a short distance to Nara where we visited Nara Koen (park) where there is quite the abundance of friendly (though not so friendly when you have food….) deer. We then visited the Toudaiji which houses the Daibustu (Buddha statue). At the rear of the temple is a column with a small hole in it…it is said that if you can get through the hole (which is apparently the size of the Daibutsu’s nostril), you will be able to achieve enlightenment. So of course, we all tried going through the hole, and I’m proud to say that everyone made it through safe and sound…even Professor Ericson!

Going through the hole…..

Day 3: Hiroshima and Miyajima

We arrived on the island of Miyazima after visiting Hiroshima. We happened to be in Hiroshima on the anniversary of the atomic-bombing…there were many peace marches and special events, as well as ceremonies paying homage to those lost due to the bomb. We were lucky to be able to hear the story of a survivor of the Atomic bomb at Peace Park, which was quite an amazing story to hear.

Famous Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Central monument in Peace park, surrounded by flowers

Afterwards, we took the ferry to the island of Miyajima, the home of the famous Tori gates and temple, which is on stilts over the ocean. At 4:30 AM the next day Ericson-sensei, Me, Kate, Joe, Claudio, Angel, and Cannon woke up to climb the mountain on the island and see the sunrise…a very early morning, but what an adventure!

Day 4: Unzen

After a long day of traveling by shinkansen, train, and bus, we arrived in the evening at Unzen. This area has an active volcano…and thus hot springs!! (known in Japan as onsen). At the ryokan we stayed at, we were able to enjoy the onsen to our heart’s content and end the day with a delicious Japanese-style banquet.

Day 5: Nagasaki and Hakata

Day five of our journey took us to the city of Nagasaki where we visited a temple shaped like a turtle, Dejima, and the Glover Gardens. In the evening, we made the journey to Hakata where we stayed the night, eating the scrumptious Pork ramen, famous in the area…and I must say, it was quite delicious!

Day 6: Himeiji

After spending the morning in Hakata we took the shinkansen to Himeiji where we visited the famous White Heron Castle.

Day 7: Kobe and the return home to Chiba

We left Himeiji early in the morning to head to Kobe where we rode the tramway up the mountain to a spectacular view of the city. Afterwards we wandered the streets of Kobe where some of us sampled the famous Kobe Beef for lunch. After lunch we walked back to the station and took the shinkansen back to Tokyo…In other news, Joe and Claudio left the group before returning in order to climb Mt. Fuji, and I’m pleased to say, they were successful!

And now, we are back in Chiba, recovering from our journey…and preparing for final exams and presentations!! がんばって！(good luck!!)