Dorm Life

The dorm is a pretty nice place to live.

At most it is a 5 minute walk from Ichinoe station and is close to a stationary shop, multiple schools, parks, and lots of houses. I really like just taking off and walking around because everything is still so different and new.

But, let's focus on what's inside for now!!

Here's the dorm. It's name is actually "Dormy Ichinoe" but I think that it sounds really weird to call it that. ^^' Just inside you find what every Japanese home has: the entrance, or genkan. Outdoor shoes are never worn inside the building but neither do you go barefoot, so this area serves its purpose as the "shoe exchange" area. On the lower lever, you remove your outdoor shoes, taking care not to step on the floor. Once your shoes are off, you put on your slippers and wear those around. Just like your outdoor shoes never come in, your indoor slippers never go out. Because this is a dorm, instead of leaving your shoes neatly at the front, every resident has a shoe cubby.

Aren't mine cute!? I got them at a 100 yen shop >.<

Just inside is the mail boxes and the name plates. The name plates are magnets that are red on one side and white on the other, with the same name on both sides. Their purpose is to inform the manager or others on who's in the building or not. When you are in the building, the white side of the name plate is supposed to be showing. When you leave, you flip it to the red side. Although it may seem a little weird that your "whereabouts" status should be recorded, I like it because I can tell whether or not the other girls have left already. I have a feeling it'll be even more helpful once school starts and our schedules are all different.

Some utilities in the dorm include washing machines and dryers - the washing machines are free but the dryers are not so I just hang dry my clothes :) - showers, a public bath - which I have yet to try - a dinning room, the bathroom, and even a vending machine. At first it was a bit annoying that the dinning room is only open when breakfast and dinner are served, but we found out that if we eat early, we can spend the rest of our time hanging out until it closes. Plus the food is really, really good, so I don't want to complain about anything~!

The showers are nice in that you can control exactly what temperature the water comes out at. Also there's an option for a full-body spray rather than the traditional shower head. I like my showers at a good 38°C ^_^ (or around 100°F). It doesn't feel that hot though..

One of the common things that is really different from everywhere else are bathroom shoes. Just like how outdoor shoes aren't worn inside, you don't wear your slippers into the bathroom. Instead, everyone uses these blue bathroom shoes. I don't think I'll ever understand how that is more sanitary...

As with everywhere else in Tokyo - and Japan in general - recycling is super important. Even in the dorm, there are seperate bins for cans, bottles, PET bottles, and burnable trash. This is one characteristic I really  enjoy. In Auburn, and around my house in general, it can be really hard to recycle something; at times I have to carry around bottles or recyclables around until I find an appropriate place to dispose of it. Here in Japan, I am basically guaranteed to find all the necessary bins wherever there's a trashcan.

The best part of living here is definitely the food. Today was noodles, rice with egg and peas, miso soup, dumplings, and there was even dessert (a rarity). It was delicious~~ Every day is something different and it is always just the right amount of food. I never feel hungry but neither am I stuffed too full, like after a buffet. It's nomlicious. Breakfast is also something special because you can choose between a "western" meal - with options like toasted bread with jam, chocolate milk, eggs, bacon, etc - or a "japanese" meal - which can be fish, omurice, tea, salad, etc and is always served with miso soup and rice. 

Yasukuni Shrine - 靖国神社 - Chiyoda

On Septmeber 5th, the day after I arrived, some of the girls in our program had their orientation in Ichigaya (the left-most red circle). Our Japanese language classes are in the same area, so we all decided to tag along and explore a bit. Our dorm is the closest to Ichinoe station (right-most circle) and the ride from Ichinoe to Ichigaya is about 26 minutes. Add walking to and from each station, getting to class can take up to 40 minutes total. Luckily, my first class isn't until 9 am, so I don't have to get up too early! ^_^ And for those who are curious, my economics classes will be at Jimbocho station, which can be found in the center circle.

When we arrived, Aurora (from Ireland) and Susan (from Taiwan) went to the orientation, leaving Mina (from Germany), Diana (from England) and I to walk around. It was a good thing too because we ended up finding and walking around Yasukuni Shrine.

Yasukuni Shrine, originally known as Tokyo Shokonsha, was established in 1869 as a place to commemorate and honor all of those who gave their lives in the service of Japan since the Boshin War in 1869 and up to World War II. The Emperor Meiji visited the shrine in 1874 and promised all the lost souls that their names would forever live on in this shrine, as proved by the record of more than 2,466,000 names listed in the shrine. He changed the name in 1879 from Shokonsha Shrine - which roughly means "shrine to summon the souls"- to Yasukuni - which means "pacifying the nation" - in order to spread the ideal of preserving peace.

We entered through the South Gate, or Minami-mon 南門

There's a sign at the entrance to the shrine listing some basic rules of conduct. My favorite is #4. I feel like everything in Japan is run by this rule.

Above is Haiden (拝殿), or the main hall, seen through the Third Shrine Gate. Here worshipers come to say their prayers and pay their respects to the spirits residing in the are. Yaukuni Shrine is part of the Shinto religion, which is the most traditional Japanese religion. Worshiping the deceased is seen as a form of respect and is common across Japan.

Other than praying, there are various activities you can do at a shrine. One such activity is drawing a fortune, or omikuji. For 100 yen, you can choose a slip of paper that is suppose to determine your fortune as much as a fortune cookie or an astrology reading can. These fortunes can range from Great Blessings to Great Curses and every step in between. They also contain advice in areas like romance, money issues, illness, education, travel, or even business dealings. After drawing a fortune, it is believed that by tying it on a tree branch (or a substitute, as seen on the left) your fortune will either come true - if a blessing - or be taken away - if a curse.

You can also buy and write an Ema, which is a wooden plaque on which you write a wish or desire. After writing your wish, the ema is left hanging in the shrine so that the spirits can read and fulfill them. (Seen on the right) I really, really wanted to buy one but they were 300 yen and i couldn't really think of a wish to write down. Plus, I thought that my horizontal alphabetic letters would ruin the unity of the image. I think it looks so cool~

Buying an omamori, or protective amulet, is also a common practice. Many people buy them to ward off sickness, for good luck, or for success in entrance exams.

To the left is a letter written by Saburo Morimoto Mikoto, a major killed in action. The main tenets of the message are about how he feels like he has not fulfilled his duty to his country and how every person, regardless of age or sex, should strive to be devoted to their country. In the end, he even asks for forgiveness from his parents about his "sin of failing to repay [his] debt of gratitude." I am always impressed by the patriotism expressed by the Japanese and the sense of duty to one's parents. I know some may rebuke it as extreme nationalism, but I don't think there is anything wrong with identifying yourself with your country and wishing for its success.

Saw a priest and priestess in traditional clothing. I was bit slow in taking the picture...

Noh Theater where classical Japanese dramas are preformed for the resident spirits.

 

 

The Sacred Pond Garden. It is meant to allow for calm reflection and a feeling of serenity. Instead of feeling serene, I was completely committed to making sure I didn't slip on the stones while crossing the water. It would be just my luck to fall in -_-

The Yushukan Museum next to the shrine - considered part of the shrine grounds - hosts around 100,000 pieces. The collection comprises paintings, armor, and weapons, all of which are meant to display the devotion and sincerity of those who "dedicated their precious lives for their... motherland, hometowns and families."

Some souvenirs you can buy at the gift shop. They're so cute!!

Seeing this shrine made me really want to go and see some of the really big and famous shrines throughout Tokyo and Kyoto. I definitely want to go visit one on New Years when EVERYBODY goes and you can't even walk around. There's tons of booths set up and traditional New Years food. I can't wait!

All quotes and facts are taken from: 

Yasukuni Shrine Office. Guide of Yasukuni Shrine. Chiyoda, Tokyo. 2014. Print.

First Impressions

So far, everything I have seen, I have liked.

Waiting for the bus at Narita airport.

I thought it was really cool to see fields right next to the expressway during my drive from the airport. Also, the transition from airport to outside city to inside city was really obvious as less and less signs had English translations. It's not to the point that I can't find my way if I have a sense of where I am going, so I think I should be fine. 

No joke, saw a sign like this just as we left the airport and I had to control my laughter. It's a tanuki crossing sign, which I thought was just simply the most adorable/hilarious thing ever. If I see another one, I'm definitely taking a picture. 

Whenever I travel, I have a tendency to look at the plants and greenery in the environment. I think this is a habit I gained from traveling in Brazil with my parents and grandparents who somehow have extensive knowledge of every shrubbery and tree in Brazil. So, before more houses started to appear on the side of the road, I was taking note of what the trees look like and so on and so forth. But what do I see that, for some strange reason, I did not expect to? Kudzu. All of the kudzu. For those that don't know, kudzu is rampant in the southern US, including Alabama. It's an invader species from Japan that grows rampantly and wildly without a natural predator and that kills off a lot of trees (although, Wikipedia has just informed me that it's edible....sorta wondering what it tastes like...). I saw kudzu - or kuzu 葛 - and, strangely enough, felt right at home.

As for the dorm, my room is quite cozy and situated in a very good place. Not only am I right next to the stairs, The bathroom is right across the hall, as is the showers. Of course, I would probably enjoy the shower situation more if I could figure out how to make the water a bit~ warmer. I convinced myself it was a type of training, the kind you do under waterfalls at mountains. But man was that a quick shower ^^'

The bed, which despite being a bit harder than what I am used to, is quite comfortable. I decided to bring some color to the room with my Brazilian flag. (Too much? Never >.<) The pillow is also very different from what I am used to. In the US, I have feather-stuffed pillows and in Brazil, I am used to foam pillows (or broken-foam-stuffed pillows. I don't really know;my grandma puts them together), but here the pillow seems to be filled with soft, bead-like material. It too is actually quite comfortable, so I am happy.

See the lower right-hand corner on top of the shelf? That is a Tupperware that once contained a very yummy sandwich. After eating the sandwich, however, I was stuck with this box that didn't fit anywhere. I carried that thing across the world in my hands...

 

Veranda to dry clothes. I went ahead and threw the jeans I traveled in on there to air them out a bit. 

The street that runs next to the dorm is not a main road, so the majority of traffic is walkers or bikers. There is an elementary, Jr. High (middle school for those in the states), and - I think - a high school right by the dorm. As a result, I got to see a lot of children and teenagers walking home between 3 and 5. I suspect there is also a sports field, or at least a practice ground, on the other side of the apartment complex that faces my window because I heard males voices yelling in unison after school ended (you know, in a count-together-while-we-stretch-or-workout kinda way).

I actually really love the view from my room. Despite the power cords that I can almost reach out a touch, there is a beautiful tree garden in the house across the street. From the time I arrived at the dorm at 2:30 to around sunset, there was an old man trimming and tending to the trees. I hope it wasn't too strange that I watched him for a bit because it was nice to see how much work he put into maintaining them. It's a breath of fresh air (possibly literally) in the middle of the city, so I am glad to have already found a little treasure.

Ready or Not Japan, Here I Come!

I've finally made it! 

What am I doing here?

Hahahahahahahaha, I'm in Japan!

Why am I in Japan~?

I can't help but feel like Tangled's Rapunzel right after she left her tower: it's the greatest feeling, but what have I gotten myself into?!?

On the plane, leaving for Tokyo, Japan from Houston, Texas. After a 7-hour delay from my first flight from Huntsville, Alabama, I couldn't wait to get here. I got lucky enough to have no one sitting next to me, so I got to lay down and actually sleep comfortably. It was much needed considering the lack of sleep I had gotten the past two days. I kept my sister's lucky twin french braids throughout the entire trip as an attempt to control my curly hair...

Dramatics aside, coming to Japan has been an eight year dream and I can't believe it has finally come true! I'm probably like most people in that my interest in Japan started out with anime and manga (Japanese graphic novels). I've always been an avid reader and I do enjoy picture books, so it's no wonder that I devoured as much manga as I have. To give some perspective, I've read over 800 titles of manga in the past 7-8 years and continue to do so. 

But my interest for Japan has already gone beyond the enjoyment of the weird stories that can be found in the manga world. I am intrigued by the differences between American, Brazilian, and Japanese culture because they are so extreme. For instance, Americans could interpret Japanese standards of cleanliness as too strict and uptight. Changing shoes to go indoors and once again to go to the bathroom could seem nonsensical and even ridiculous (I, for one, enjoy being barefoot indoors - and outdoors - and I think I may begin to miss my slipper-free days. I'll have to make due inside my own room I guess :D). But at the same time, the Japanese could see American's lack of indoors shoes as extremely unhygienic and as dirty. 

Either way, I'm just hoping and praying I don't mess up too much (or in front of too many people). Thankfully, the other exchange students have also arrived, so we can get through this "new thing" together. 

I thank you for welcoming me Japan and may I be in your care! 

よろしくお願いします! m(_ _)m