I am starting off 2015 with a winter study-abroad for 2 weeks in Japan. Despite the fact that all my relatives other than my immediate family lives in Japan, I have not been able to visit the country in almost a decade. I am so thrilled about going on this short, but new adventure, and sharing the experience with all of you. Hope you enjoy!
I have just arrived from my trip back home! I apologize for the lateness of this final post, but unfortunately I became very sick with a cough/fluctuating fever the last couple of days on the trip. I was basically unable to go out during my time in Tokyo, because I was bedridden! And of course, that's not too exciting to blog about. Here are some photos I was able to take during my last few days in Japan before I became ill:
We were able to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the two places effected by the World War II Bombings in Japan. We went to museums and peace parks dedicated to the remembrance of its victims. Because of the solemnity of Hiroshima for me, because my family is from there, I did not take any photos or videos in this place. However, I did take some footage at Nagasaki, which is shown in the vlog below:
After Hiroshima, we stayed at a hotel on the beautiful island, Miyajima. If you'd like to visit, I'd recommend taking the ferry ride from Hiroshima at night... it felt similar to that scene in Spirited Away when the town across the lake lights up as night falls. If you haven't watched this film, I definitely recommend it. It is filled with references to indigenous Japanese culture (Shinto), relationships between the East and West, and is itself hugely valuable culturally.
At Miyajima, we visited the gorgeous Itsukushima Shrine. Though it was January, it was a relatively sunny day as we walked through this vermillion shrine on top of the water.
We then took the ferry back to Hiroshima, and continued on our journey.
Unfortunately for me, the rest of the journey consisted of hacking coughs and burning fevers. And then, we hopped on the plane back to the U.S.A. Being sick, that plane ride may have been the worst plane ride I have ever experienced. No matter, I am back home now, ready to start another semester of school!
Thank you so much for taking a look at my experience in Japan! There were many ups and downs to this trip, but I believe it to have been an extremely educational experience, and a huge chance to explore Japan in a way I never will again. I will hopefully be studying abroad in Japan again in the spring of next year, and if I do I will do so in Tokyo! So please stay tuned! For any questions, please comment or shoot me an email at [email protected]. I hope everyone has an eventful and fun rest of the year. See you soon!
Best,
justajae
Thank you so much for taking a look at my experience in Japan! There were many ups and downs to this trip, but I believe it to have been an extremely educational experience, and a huge chance to explore Japan in a way I never will again. I will hopefully be studying abroad in Japan again in the spring of next year, and if I do I will do so in Tokyo! So please stay tuned! For any questions, please comment or shoot me an email at [email protected]. I hope everyone has an eventful and fun rest of the year. See you soon!
Best,
justajae