A weekend of Mt. Fuji viewing attempts. With one full weekend left before leaving Japan, I was intent on finding a good place to visit. After a bit of research, I settled on Kawaguchiko, a small area surrounding Lake Kawaguchi known for its good views of Mt. Fuji. Most people come to this area as […]
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
Finally, a post dedicated just to food! Since I have been able to consume many different dishes here in Japan, this (and following) food posts will talk about some of the best restaurants I have eaten at, the most beautiful presentations I have seen, and the interesting experiences I have had regarding food. This post
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
