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Lunch in American Village After parting with my host family, I was able to meet up with a friend who was staying in Okinawa. Together we walked around American Village, a small part of the island dedicated to “American culture”. The place had an old-town, nostalgic vibe with many clothing stores and restaurants scattered about. […]
Okinawa’s American Village, Rooftop Views, and Snake Liquor Read More »
I quickly found out that my host family loved water activities and I was thrilled to join them on a few boating and snorkeling adventures. The first time we went out was during the evening after the last day of class. We drove to Ginowan Port just as the sun was setting below the horizon.
Tonight I got to walk along Okinawa’s most famous street, Kokusaidori. At night, Kokusaidori sparkles with lights and is filled with restaurants, shops, and bustling tourists looking for the latest island souvenirs. While the main street attracts all of the newcomers, locals tend to keep to the side streets where a more mellow vibe can
After a day of teaching, I had an opportunity to watch a theatre performance called The Matsuri Okinawa. Okinawa has a complicated history that I will not pretend to be an expert on, but in short, it was once an independent Kingdom of the Ryukyu people. Because of its strategic location in the Pacific Ocean,
Today I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Okinawa for a week of teaching. After having spent a couple of weeks in Tokyo, I was excited for the change in culture, scenery, and daily life. After touching down in Naha airport, I was welcomed to the (new) island by my host mom. I was
Tsukiji Fish Market is one of Tokyo’s top places to see. Two days before I visited, a fire burned down a section of the market. However, I was lucky that most of it was still open for exploration when I arrived. There has been talk of relocation, so for those who want to see it
One of the cultural experiences I got to partake in was being dressed in a traditional kimono + accessories and walking around a street festival. I had never been to a kimono rental shop before so I was looking forward to seeing how the dressing process worked. As soon as I entered the shop, ladies
Over the weekend I was able to reunite with some friends from last year’s Japan adventures. We had planned on having an afternoon BBQ, but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. My friend Jason and I arrived at Futakoshinchi Station in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, where we picked up marshmallows, drinks, ice, and some other snacks
After training and orientation concluded, it was time for a weekend retreat in Hakone, a town known for its mountainous nature, lake, and onsen (hot springs). I picked up a tuna sashimi bento from the expansive food court underneath Shinjuku station and boarded the Romance Car (the express train to Hakone) with over 80 other