ÿþ<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Two Weeks in the Land of the Rising Sun</TITLE> <CENTER> <P><A HREF="nihongo3.html"><IMG SRC="arrow_ls.gif" ALT="Tillbaka till huvudmenyn"></A><A HREF="nihongo.html"><IMG SRC="arrow_le.gif" ALT="Back to main menu"></A><A HREF="nihongo2.html"><IMG SRC="arrow_lj.gif" ALT="CQn0Ú0ü0¸0x0;b‹0"></A><A HREF="mailto:dubl@swipnet.se"><IMG SRC="em.gif" ALT="Send e-mail"></A><a href="http://two.guestbook.de/gb.cgi?gid=475969&prot=zlgndx"><IMG SRC="gb.gif" ALT="Sign guestbook"></a></P> </HEAD> <BODY BACKGROUND="bg_tabi.gif"> <P><IMG SRC="_wavy.gif"></P> <P><H2>Two Weeks in the Land of the Rising Sun</H2></P> </CENTER> <H4> <P> On March 12, 1999 (which happened to be my birthday), I got the opportunity to go to the Japanese Embassy in Stockholm to candidate for the Japan Foundation's "Study Tour Awards for Outstanding Students for the Japanese Language". With my mere six months of Japanese studies and not feeling outstanding at all, I of course still took this chance and went to Stockholm with not so high hopes. The candidates for the program were myself and a man who had been studying Japanese for a much longer time than me, but I was determined to do my best. I took a written test, which was pretty difficult but I still knew the answers to quite a lot of it, and I also had an interview with a Japanese man in Japanese. With my little experience of speaking Japanese I thought it was a disaster, and when I left the capital for Gothenburg where I live I was sure I would not make it. Content with the fact that I had done my best I went back to my usual daily routines, and three days later when I got the call from the Japanese Embassy that I had been chosen as the representative of Sweden I could not believe it. </P> <P>On July 6, 1999, I left my home country for the two weeks long adventure. After a long but relatively smooth <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/01.jpg">flight</A>, with a switch of planes in Paris, I arrived at Kansai International Airport in Osaka. Me and four other program participants, who arrived at the same time, were met by representatives of the Japan Foundation and were taken to the institute where we would spend the next two weeks. </P> <P> Facing the manmade island airport, the institute were only minutes away. We were greeted by some of the program leaders and were given our trip allowance and room keys. I was positively surprised when I first walked into <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/10.jpg">my room</A>. It was very tidy, had a superb air conditioner that salvaged me from the extreme heat, and displayed an impressive view of the airport and Rinku Town, with its amusement park and high building; the second highest in all of Japan with its 256 meters. I settled in and the next day I got to meet the leaders and <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/60.jpg">participants</A> of the program. </P> <P> On the 8th we had a welcoming meeting, an ice-break meeting and a party in order to get to know each other better. At these meetings I made the acquaintances of some of the 77 nice people I would spend these two weeks with, and I also got to know some of the leaders at the institute. I was surprised, and a little intimidated, by the fact that many of the others were almost or fully fluent in the Japanese language. Some had been studying Japanese for four or five years, and on the whole trip I only spoke to two other students who had only been studying for one year, like myself. In the evening that day myself and two other participants of the program took a walk in the neighborhood around the institute. Rinku Town is a rather quiet place and I liked it a lot. On the 9th the lectures began. In the first class you had the option of choosing a Kansai dialect class or a basic Japanese speech class. With my meager experience I chose the latter class, which proved to be very interesting. In the afternoon there were culture classes. Of the five different available options I chose shodou, the way of writing, or skill in writing kanji. It was not as hard as I had imagined but I still was not able to write anything very beautiful I think. </P> <P> The next day it was time for our home-stay experience, and indeed it was an experience I will not forget. As I went down to the hall where I would meet my host I was extremely nervous and unsure of my capabilities. I met my host, <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/13.jpg">Nangou Fumiko</A>, and tried to do my best to talk to her. After a while I found it was not that hard after all. Sure, I had some trouble expressing myself and fully understand what she was saying, but we still managed to convey the underlying meaning of what we wanted to say. Fumiko was very kind and helpful all the way. First we went to Denden Town in <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/16.jpg">central Osaka</A> to buy two electronic dictionaries, one for me and one for a friend in Sweden. We also tried the famous Osaka dish, <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/09.jpg">takoyaki</A>, fried octopus, which was very delicious. After that we moved on to <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/15.jpg">Osaka castle</A>, an impressive structure which was destroyed in the second world war but was rebuilt afterwards. It was very hot this day and I was carrying a rather heavy backpack, so we decided to go to Fumiko's home in Kobe to meet <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/17.jpg">the rest of the family</A>. </P> <P> We arrived and I was greeted by Fumiko's mother and younger brother, and I was shown to my room. I was prepared to be sleeping on a Japanese-style futon, but I got to sleep in a Western-style bed. I was served ocha, green tea, and some tasty okashi, Japanese cookies, and soon Fumiko's father arrived. I introduced myself in Japanese and in Swedish, and we discussed various subjects. The family was very interested in my home country and asked me a lot of questions about culture, size, population, climate and such. Of course I had to try the differing Japanese bathing ritual, where the whole family uses the same tub water and you clean yourself outside of the tub. At this point I felt very Japanese. In the evening we <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/04.jpg">ate tempura, and drank beer and Japanese sake</A>. They praised me for my <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/05.jpg">skill with the ohashi</A>, chopsticks, and found it amusing that I turned red due to the consumption of alcohol. In all it was a very interesting and entertaining evening. We got to bed early in preparation for the day to come. </P> <P> We got up at around 7 a.m. and had breakfast. Fumiko's brother, Takeshi, had already left for his job in a fish store in Osaka. The rest of the family and I went by car to see a <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/19.jpg">massive bridge</A> outside of Kobe. The bridge is four kilometers long but has only two supporting pillars. After this impressive view we went on to Rokko mountain, from where we could see the beautiful <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/21.jpg">view of Kobe harbor</A> and a large part of Kobe city. The Nangou family had a <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/25.jpg">second house</A> in the city of Wakayama near Osaka, and this was our next destination. If their home in Kobe was like any apartment in the West, their home in Wakayama was a full-fledged Japanese one. This house, which Fumiko's father had built himself along with two partners, had the typical Japanese roof with curved edges, paper-tiled doors and a <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/24.jpg">beautiful garden</A>. I felt it was at this time I had come to the "real" Japan for the first time. On the way there we had bought some bentou, store-bought prepared food, and we consumed them sitting on pillows on the tatami. This as well was a Japanese contrast to the table and chairs in Kobe. After dining it was time to <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/08.jpg">work in the small field</A> the Nangous owned outside of the house. I had to do my share, of course, and with a Japanese straw hat I grabbed my tool and got rid of some unwanted weed. Due to the heat we soon got tired and decided to sleep for a few hours. Following this we drove in the direction of the institute in Rinku Town, stopping at a restaurant to have another meal, and it was time to say goodbye to the Nangou family. The two days I spent with them was undoubtedly the most giving experience of the whole stay in Japan, and it was hard to see them leave. I will keep contact with them by sending letters, however. </P> <P> The next day, the 12th, we only had a few city guide classes in preparation of the trip starting the following day, and the rest of the day we had off. I went to Nanba in Osaka along with a <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/29.jpg">group of other students</A>. We ate some more takoyaki and strolled around watching the <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/32.jpg">life in the streets</A> of interesting Osaka. Early the next morning we left the institute for a five-day trip to other parts of Japan. First stop was Hiroshima, and we got there by the <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/31.jpg">nozomi shinkansen</A>, the fastest of the shinkansen trains. Despite its speed of 300km/h the ride was surprisingly smooth, and you could not feel the speed at all. We did not see much of the city of Hiroshima that day, because our hotel was located on the island of <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/33.jpg">Miyajima</A> outside of the city. In the Japanese-style hotel I shared rooms with Jack from Australia and Matt from the United States, two friendly guys. The group had free activities for the rest of the day, and I and Oliver from Austria decided to go together. We went to the <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/37.jpg">large temple</A> on the island, an aquarium, another <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/42.jpg">impressive temple</A>, and then we made the decision that would later on be laughed at. I, <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/39.jpg">Oliver and Marc</A> from France, got the bright idea to climb the mountain on Miyajima in the extreme heat. We did not realize it would be <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/43.jpg">so far</A>, but after two hours we finally reached <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/49.jpg">the top</A>, totally <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/46.jpg">fatigued</A> and soaked with sweat. We watched the beautiful view and went to the rope way we hoped would bring us down, but no. It had closed for the day and we had to walk all the way down as well. We were late for the evening meal, had no time to shower, and felt pretty silly in our regular clothing watching all the other students in their glamorous Japanese wear. Apparently, this adventure was worthy of respect because the three of us later got a certificate, proving we actually did this feat. I slept well that night. </P> <P> On the 14th we headed into Hiroshima to watch the <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/51.jpg">monuments</A> and the museum, built in honor of the dead and in the hope that the world will never experience another atom bomb. This <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/52.jpg">beautiful and interesting city</A> gave me uncanny sensations. I learned a lot about what happened in 1945 but how could I ever appreciate how it was really like when the bomb dropped and what torments the people had to endure due to the after-effects? We left the museum to get a guided tour of the main Mazda facility. Although I am not very interested in cars it was pretty interesting, considering that my family have a Mazda. Then we left Hiroshima for Kyoto. My new room mate was Hossam from Egypt, with whom I would also share rooms in Tokyo. In the evening a group of us walked around the neighborhood to find a nice place to eat, and we ended up in a small, cozy place with a very nice owner and karaoke. We ate delicious food, sang some songs and enjoyed ourselves. The next day we went to discover different sights in Kyoto, among them Nijo castle where the shogun had lived, kinkakuji, the golden temple, and ryouanji, the stone garden. This day was the first day of the celebration of the Gion Matsuri, a big festival, and the streets of Kyoto were packed with celebrating people dressed in traditional clothing. A wonderful experience! In the evening some of us went to eat in an expensive restaurant and then we went back to the festival area, but the people were starting to return back home. We still found a very helpful man who explained the meaning of the festival to us, all of which I could not understand, and he was very interested in knowing who we were and where we came from. </P> <P> The following morning we took the shinkansen to Tokyo. If I thought Osaka was big, Tokyo was huge. I could not believe my eyes, observing that absolutely everything was so big. Our first stop was Asakusa, where we ate and did a little shopping in the market place, and then we went on to our hotel in Shinjuku. In the evening we went out to eat some ramen, noodles, and then we explored the wonders of the Japanese capital. After a long walk and aching feet I went to bed, and the following day we continued. First we went up the <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/67.jpg">fourth highest building in Japan</A> to watch the <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/69.jpg">incredible view</A> of Tokyo, which stretched out for as far as the eye could see in every direction. Had the weather been clearer we would have been able to see Mount Fuji but that was not possible at the time. After that, <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/64.jpg">I and Hossam, Oliver and Tim</A> from the Netherlands went to Akihabara, the part of Tokyo you go to to find electronic bargains. I did not buy anything but the others found CDs, video games and electronic dictionaries of their liking. That evening we once again took a stroll in Shinjuku in the throng of people walking in every direction. We stayed and listened to a Bolivian band playing some South American music, and finally we returned back to the hotel. </P> <P> On the 18th we made a stop at the park in Ueno before returning to Osaka. In the park we watched an <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/63.jpg">old temple</A>, visited a zoo and walked around sucking in the beautiful nature. After a <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/65.jpg">brief stop</A> for having another meal, we got to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. The flight was one hour, and funnily it really felt as if I had returned back home when we landed at Kansai International Airport, near the institute. Unfortunately, my luggage got lost on the way to Osaka but I got it back safely the next day, so no harm was done even though I had to have the receptionist at the institute make me a new room key because the old one was in the bag. On the 19th there was a lecture explaining the details of the trip back home, and also a <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/02.jpg">free discussion class</A> where we discussed some of the things we had been doing up until that time. In the evening there was a final goodbye party. There was no real dress code but we were kindly asked to wear at least suits so I wore mine for the first and only time on the trip. I had no tie, however, but Mostafa from Egypt was kind enough to lend me one. At the party we got the opportunity to meet the <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/58.jpg">president of the Japan Foundation</A>, and this friendly man talked to just about everyone of the participants that evening. An impressive shield with two swords in it were handed over to the president by Fareed Ahmed Hafiz from Pakistan, as a sign of gratitude, and Partha Sarathi Mitra from India gave a long and interesting speech. I, Oliver and Marc of course had to confess to our stupid adventure on Miyajima in front of the whole group as well. </P> <P> On the 20th there was an optional <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/55.jpg">trip to Nara</A>, which I was to join. I woke up in the morning but was tired and went back to sleep. Five minutes after the bus was supposed to leave the telephone rang and one of the leaders asked me if I wanted to come along. I realized what the time was and rushed down to the bus, apologizing for my being late. We finally got on our way and arrived in Nara after about an hour. In this idyllic city, with deer walking around in the parks and streets, we went to see <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/56.jpg">temples</A> and spent time shopping and eating. When we got back to the institute the final day of the trip was over and I felt kind of sad. In the evening I, Hossam, Oliver and Rodolfo from Nicaragua went for a last walk in Rinku Town. Then I said my goodbyes to the friends I made and packed my things so that I was ready for the trip back home. I spent most of the 21st flying home to Sweden, via Paris. </P> <P> In the two weeks I had the fortunate opportunity of spending in Japan I experienced a lot. I learned more about the Japanese way, and actually improved my ability to speak Japanese quite a bit. I met some wonderful people, both among the leaders who took care of us, the Japanese inhabitants and the other <A HREF="http://home.passagen.se/dublu/osaka/60.jpg">participants</A> of this trip. Hossam from Egypt, Oliver from Austria, Tim from the Netherlands, Mirela from Romania, Rodolfo from Nicaragua, Chong from Malaysia, Dikaios from Greece, Nicki from Australia, Juan from Chile, Bader from Jordan, and all the others made the trip so much better! I bought a lot of omiyage, souvenirs, for myself, my family and my girlfriend, so that I will always remember the time I spent in Osaka. I will remember the vending machines selling everything you might want whenever you might want it, in every street corner, and I will remember all the nice people, the big cities and the traditional Japanese areas with their beautiful buildings and nature. I will definitely come back to Japan someday. I can not thank the Japan Foundation enough for the wonderful experience they gave me. Thank you! </P></H4> <CENTER> <P><IMG SRC="_wavy.gif"></P> <P><H3>Have a look at all of the <A HREF="jappics1.html">pictures</A> from the trip!</H3></P> <P><H3>Also check out <A HREF="http://www.jfcairo.com/midan/study_tour/index.htm">Hossam's and Mostafa's page</A> about the trip!</H3></P> <P><IMG SRC="_wavy.gif"></P> <P><H6><IMG SRC="_paw.gif">Copyright Hans Wadsten 2001<IMG SRC="_paw.gif"> <BR>Last updated <!--#echo var="LAST_MODIFIED"--></H6></P> </CENTER> </BODY> </HTML>