The Kaji-sans of Keyaki Ryo

At first, I was a little disappointed that I wouldn't be having a host family like some students who go abroad, but not only did I have a wonderful roommate, dorm mates, and friends, but I also had the Kaji-sans!! When I went back to visit ICU in March, two of my need to see people were the Kaji's, and this is why.

Momma Kaji-san hasn't changed a bit since I last saw her. Rei and Mr. Kaji took
pictures of us, and we seem to be looking up for her photo here.

Every dorm, to my knowledge, at ICU had dorm parents who monitored who came into and left the dorm, spruced up the garden and lobby's, manned the dorm phones, received packages on behalf of the students, and helped anyone who became sick in the infirmary room. It took me a long time to decide just how to address my dorm parents, but Japanese has so many evasive tendencies that the issue never really came up. In my old blog, I called Mrs. Kaji "House Mom" and helped her with English and watched over her bonsai tree. She was like a Kanga and we were her Roos, but you could see sometimes that we were disappointing her by being too noisy after hours or if we left our things all about the lobby. However, her English was rather good, and she would always give me treats, presents, and smiles. Mr. Kaji, on the other hand was like Mr. Miyagi to me. He looked really similar to the famous karate film teacher, but he also spoke very little (at least very little to me), so there was that element of aloofness and mystery. I would see him behind the front desk at almost all times, unless he was working in the garden or trying to fix something in one of the kitchens. When I found the gecko in our kitchen, I learned the word so that I could tell him about it, but after I informed him of the critter, I got nervous and left. Mr. Kaji's English wasn't so great, and he mutters when he speaks, so my Japanese wasn't ready to fully understand him.

However, the first day I went back to visit ICU in March 2013, he was still there behind the desk and recognized me! We spent the next hour talking in Japanese; I informed him of everything I had been up to and he invited me to try and come back tomorrow to the open house so that I could roam the halls of the dorm again. However, that open house day was the Wadaiko concert, so I had to decline. Then, he tried to think of all of the students who were still in the dorms that I would know and call them up so we could spend time together. I had already seen Mika and Rei, and the Wadaiko kids would be the next day, so he ran out of friends for me, but I thought ti was great that he tried to reunite me with them!  In my entire time at ICU, I don't think I talked as much to him as I did on that day. I told him that I would come back sometime that weekend to see his wife and he thanked me with lots of polite bows!! He is so very good at bowing!

When I did come back on Sunday, I was headed toward Keyaki, when I hear a "Zaitooonnn!" from across the street. It was the Kaji-sans out for a stroll! I was so flustered that I forgot everything I wanted to say. They looked so similar that it was like I hadn't left. For some reason I could speak Japanese with Mrs. Kaji because I was so used to being her English buddy that none of my words could help me. Rei and Mr. Kaji came in for the save, since I had already told them everything I was up too. She gave me a big smile and wished us a pleasant hanami as she and Mr. Kaji finished their walk.

I wonder if I return to Keiyaki in another 8 years for the 10-year reunion if they will still be guarding the dorm. I'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, I have their email now, so I can keep in touch from all the way in Mie!

My Friend Rei

Before coming back to Tokyo, I needed to find a place to stay, and my friend Rei was very gracious in letting me stay with him. 

We met back at ICU because he was still living in the dorms at that time. The Keyaki OYRs for that year were loud and proud (perhaps -no, definitely- a little too much of each). The four year foreign students understood where we were coming from, though, and weren't afraid to join us in feast-making, clubbing, and late night "study" sessions in the main lobby. I swear, we actually did get work done at school, but all work and no play makes for a dull time abroad, no? One of the four year foreigners to join our group was Rei, the playful-yet-chill, movie-making, super-confident, Aikido-flipping, gourme-food-sampling, yo-yo-spinning New Yorker. Rei was not to be confused with Rei-chan or the Soul Run Rei. Those were different people.

When I spoke of the boys protecting the girls when we went out dancing, Rei was in that group of guys. Even if they didn't realize it, their presence did a lot to repel unwanted attention for our smaller girls. Having Rei around during down time at Keyaki was also great for conversation. He is witty and a deep thinker, who was willing to try and find all sides of an argument. As a four year student, he also had inside knowledge about the school, teachers, program, and life in Japan that we OYRs didn't have or were developing. He is part of the reason I tried Aikido; his personal testimonies and knowledge of the art made it sound so appealing, I needed to give it a shot! Sadly, my time was already stretched too thin as it was, so I couldn't keep it up. But he has! And was even able to show me how to fold hakuma, although I need quite a lot more practice.

I would like to take this time to thank Rei for being such a great friend and for giving me a place to stay, good conversation, and new perspectives on life! Good luck in all your future endeavors, Rei!!

If anyone is interested in seeing his take on Japan and life (his "Half Plus Half Does Not Equal One" helped me put into words a lot of my own feelings), I'll leave the link here.

音巴: The ICU Wadaiko Spring/Graduation Concert of 2013

I really need to write this all down now before I forget!

Right before the Californian's semester aborad was over,
We all gathered fora group picture and presents. The
OYR rangers received color specific watches and towels.
Go, Wadaiko, Go!

Two years ago, when I was here for study abroad, I joined the most intense club in my life: the ICU Wadaiko Club. They held practice all year, 18 hours a week usually, with two major concerts a year, and summer camp. I feel like I wrote a lot about them in my last blog, so feel free to check that out for some background information. At the end of my study abroad time (which wasn't supposed to be the end in reality, but that is how life worked out), our major spring concert was cancelled! There is a whole sob story there, but for the next two years I felt cheated because I never got to perform that final concert and show the seniors that everything they had taught us and worked for could be so wonderful in the end. While I was still in Wyoming, I met up with Shunyo, the club president during my Tokyo time to catch up and apologize and watch the concert dvd from last year (when he was a senior). He says that his arms are a bit smaller now that he doesn't play taiko as much as he used to, but he's still the loud, joyful, courteous Shunyo I knew from before! Seeing him made me really miss the camaraderie that I felt with the Wadaiko group back then.

The poster for the show this year.
The title 音巴 (Otonoha) is an artistic
reference to the sound of the drums.
"Oto" is sound or music and "noha" or
"tomoe" is the large comma pater popular
in Japanese traditional symbols and flags.

After I was hired with interac, they said that they wanted us to come early to train before going out to our assignments. Luckily, all my paperwork filled nicely and my passport arrived about a week before a week BEFORE training, so I was able to arrive extra early to Tokyo and lurk around my old stomping grounds. Those of you who know about Japan from my blogs may remember that universities tend to have all of March off as Spring Break. If the school was out of session and the students mostly gone on holiday, then my trip might seem worthless. Why arrive so early to Tokyo? To see the Wadaiko kids perform their spring concert of course!! Everyone else may be on break, but not my club members! The students I met as sophomores were seniors now, so this would be their swan song as Wadaiko members! One of the seniors from my time was also playing in the concert because she was unable to do so during her year. I wanted to cheer them on, but ended up crying during the first song....and the second and third song....and the encoure. They were so good! I just wanted to bust seeing how much they had all developed since I was gone. They were leading the pack now.

Surprisingly enough  though, none of them knew I was coming, which helped lend some excitement to my arrival, but I guess because I didn't reserve a ticket ahead of time, they thought I was just liking the event, not committing to it.

Ma-kun, San-chan, Miki, Mao, Myself, and Kai after the
noon concert in Asakusa! Mao still has her bachi sticks
in her apron pocket.

Afterward the concert, I got some surprises, too. I saw big and burly Kai (a student from Wittenberg who told me to come to ICU) out in the lobby, but when I went over to talk to him who else was standing to his left than SATOSHI!! My Spring Concert Leader! My hero and the one who introduced me to Thai fisherman's pants!! The super stoic and ever cool Satoshi! And Kai, too. It might not have been 100% kosher, but I gave Satoshi a massive hug - I owed this guy so much of my Wadaiko training. He was very much the Yoda/Mr. Miyagi of our club at the time, or at least in my mind, and when he was angry or upset with us, I woud silently cry over my car tire during practice. He was that powerful. 

Ma-kun leading the converstion and making jokes?!
He has totally grown up since I saw him last. Besides that,
he will be studying chemical engineering of pastics in university soon!

San-chan (who is in his 30's, but who I will always speak informally with and see as Winnie the Pooh from the club's night out one Halloween) was also tucked away in the crowd, and some of the other OB and OG (Old Boys and Old Girls - former club members)! Miki's mother, aunt, and cousin were there too!! At first, I couldn't exactly remember why, but I pointed out Miki's mom to Rei and said, "Isn't she really familiar? She doesn't belong to ICU, but I swear that I know her from my time here." When we walked back to the front row, I realized it was her; mommas always cheer their kids on from the front! She recognized me right away and we chatted in Japanese, talking about Miki, my job, her visiting from Kamakura just to see the shows (I think she stayed for both performances), and it felt so good to see her there! *Side Note* The night that I left Tokyo, Miki called her mother and told her I was going, and Momma-san told me to be careful and to remember that I could always come visit them. AAAWWWW!!! *End Side Note* Finally, the performers were all out and about, but needed to be rushed off and set up for the next show. As they all scurried away to prepare, Kai and I wondered around the streets of Asakusa, but that can have its own story later.

This was made by Kaoru for the graduating 2013 students in the club.
The top reads "Wadaiko Squadron Otonoha 13!!!"
From left to right: Ocho, Anna, Rieko, Takami, Miki, Eri, Koji, Rei-chan, Hasshi, Ma-kun

Reunited Roommates!

Anna is trying to guess the new boyfriend of
one of the younger girl. She just found out that they were
even dating that night! 

I thought that show would be the end of my time with the Taiko-ers, but as I was sitting at a hanami (familiar word, right?) with Rei, Miki showed up on her bike with Mao (my drumming partner for hanamori two years prior) and invite me to the Wadaiko party that night. How great is that?! Phenomenal! Except, I forgot what time we were supposed to meet. And where. And I didn't have their phone numbers. Or a Japanese phone. So I dashed off to Kichijoji and waited in a Starbucks (free wifi!) and facebooked them until I finally got the info. The food and drink was great, as expected, but the best part was sitting with all of the members again, being filled in on the news ("So and so has a boyfriend?! Rei-chan is going to be a policeman?! You got into grad school?!"), seeing how much they had grown up (especially Ma-kun!!). Looking at their photos was nice, but I felt like a ghost who could see, but never be with, the group. That night I was there! Fully aware of what was going on, as if that was the review party for my concert. The seniors were given photos, notebooks filled with messages, and another present, too, I think. They all gave 10-15 minute speeches during which, (can you guess?) I cried. 三橋先生 laughed at some of the comments; she has watched us all and the club grow over the past 20 years. She makes me think that just like Budo, this could be something that doesn't really end for me. I can come back to it ask long as I keep that same drive to create a powerful, beautiful, meaningful sound.

Sensei with some of the newer girls.

My evening with the Wadaiko Club was cut short, but maybe I wasn't supposed to stay the whole way through. It wasn't my party, it was their's. All the effort that they put forth for this performance, they deserved the time with each other. I'm thankful that they welcomed me back in so quickly and warmly, but after next year, none of them will really know who I am. It won't be my group anymore.

If anyone is interested, here is their Facebook site for the concert this year.

Ramen: I know what you're thinking, so don't! It is sooooo much better here.

Do you know what this is? A blessing upon the seekers of happiness! A testimony to the strive for perfection in food!

These two ramen shops operate and compete side by side.
The one with the red sign is called 武蔵家 or Musashi House
and the one with the white sign is calledぐうたら Guutara,
which means lazybones/good-for-nothing/idler. Very
similar to slacker, right? :D

When I was here last, I developed a connection with food and my moods. When I was feeling victorious, I would eat sushi, typically from a conveyor belt. When I was in a celebratory mood, izakaya/bar fried foods were a perfect match. When I was feeling homesick, Japanese style curry and rice tasted a lot like beef or chicken stew and would help me. And when I was feeling like a failure (in language class or Wadaiko club, or just a bad experience with Japanese bureaucracy), I would save up my money for a day or so, eat nearly nothing and go out for ramen. Where does one go for ramen? Well, you have several choices, but if you are in the ICU area, might I suggest Guutara Ramen? They are my boys. Let me tell you why!

There are many types of ramen, noodles, and ingredients.
This was the ramen they called the Guutara Ramen, kind
of like their house special, with free appetizer rice and pork. 

Guys don't care about going out to eat ramen. It is filling, it is delicious, and it is a good time (just you and a bowl or a social time with your buddies). But girls don't want to eat it often. "I'll get fat" "It is too salty" "Ramen shops are so hot and gross" sorts of complaints are common from girls. To keep the girls coming into their shops, ramen workers are overly nice to them. Girls tend to get free appetizers, special attention from the cooks during the meal, free refills and free dessert! That was why I went there when I felt low about myself; with all that special service, how could I stay upset? On top of that the food was fantastic! And since I was so active, I didn't fret about all the other stuff girls did. One meal at Guutara is about $8-$10 American, though, so I made sure I got as many refills of noodles as I could.

The typical ramen shop set up. The tissues are when your
nose starts to run from having your face over a bowl of
hot soup for too long. And they also work as napkins.

Ramen is the Japanese version of Lo Mein (say them a couple of times - they sound similar, right?) but depending on where you go, it can be far less oil based. I personally love when they put the undercooked soft-boiled egg in the ramen. There are individual shops and large corporate ramen chains all over Japan, so no mater where you go, you'll find somewhere to eat. They are open late at night and are a great place to wait for the spring rain to stop. Noodles not your thing? Most also offer other side foods like gyoza. But whenever you make it to the Land of the Rising Sun, do yourself a favor, and get a bowl of ramen! Money well spent for sure!

Today's free dessert is douhua, or sweet
tofu pudding with fruit syrup. I'd liken this
to the Chinese (yes, it is ia Chinese dessert)
version of jello.

The Gourmet Club (GuruMegane) at ICU wrote this brief review of Guutara when they were sampling ramen locations near campus.

Likewise, students other than me at ICU include Guutara in their blogs and websites.

Even two years ago, my words failed me. This was my first impression about ramen.

Sakura and Hanami: The Basics

Sakura leading into ICU. The former landing
strip that extends all the way up to campus was
lined with sakura blossoms and is a fantastic
place to hold hanami with your friends.

So many sakura!

Hopefully you aren't shocked to hear that sakura (cherry blossoms) are important to the Japanese. Not only are they one of the nation's most frequently used flowers, "Sakura" is a popular name for girls (I met one this morning actually) and they are highly symbolic in especially prose and pop-culture, cherry trees are also used as signs of good will, referenced in martial arts. Since the petals are so delicate that they only last for a week or so, their main meaning is to appreciate beauty in this instant because no things are permanent or perfect. The fall of these petals is seen as the death of the blossom, but even their graceful flutter downward is an artistic motif see in many aspects of Japanese culture.  Am I being a bit too vague? How about I put these into specific examples.

A musical group and singer set up near the
hanami in a park in Asakusa. I was attracted
by the sound of the accordion!

Nationalism: The Japanese people have rallied behind the sakura blossom so strongly that they would plant cherry trees on newly conquered territory to show it had been assimilated into the empire. Even now, sakura trees are sent abroad as gifts of goodwill (a distinctly Japanese item living and thriving under the protection of the ally country).

Sakura trees (left) and sakura decorations (right) on the
way to the main temple in Asakusa, Tokyo.

Samurai and kamikaze pilots: Romantically likened to the sakura flowers, these warriors lived short but beautiful lives dedicated to the practice and perfection in the case of the samurai, and culminating in a single moment of glory/tragic fall. Curious for a visual aide in this? Why not look at the Hollywood hit Last Samurai where the lead samurai is searching for the ultimate sakura tree. *Spoiler alert* He eventually finds this tree on the battle field as he lay dying with his fellow samurai and declares that the flowers on the tree he see are "perfect, they are all perfect."

Groups of people and their blankets in hanami.

Many blossoms this year were white and the
petals had already started to fall by the
time I arrived to Tokyo.

Buddhism: Stressing the transient and impermanence of all things, Buddhism is known for using the changing nature of everything as a tool to understand our own fragility. However, that does not mean we should not care for the world because it will all end, but rather appreciate what is within the now but remember that it will not last forever. Wikipedia actually had an excellent description of this theme. "Mono no aware (もののあわれ), literally "the pathos of things," and also translated as "an empathy toward things," or "a sensitivity to ephemera," is a Japanese term for the awareness of impermanence, or transience of things, and a gentle sadness (or wistfulness) at their passing." That being said, we can apply the same reverence we hold toward the sakura to other forms of beauty, art, people, or events.

This tree has different shades of pink and
white blossoms (found near Musashi-sakae).

Spring: Not all of the sakura symbolism is bittersweet. Since they bloom just at the beginning of spring (the start of the Japanese school year) they also carry with them a sense of starting fresh. The life of the flowers brings the idea of new chances and growth, and when they fall, the trees are ready for the rest of spring and summer, just like the people who stand beneath them.

All these things aside, they are just flat out lovely. The end.

Sakura come in several varieties and shades (those of white or pink, but some can even be yellow) and usually start to bloom in April just in time for the school year to begin. That is why when I left in March last year, one thing I lamented was not being able to see the sakura bloom along the famous former runway of my university. I some of the inverted varieties near the library, but that was all. However, Japan like many other places in the world has been experiencing some unusual weather. There was a strangely warm period followed by a suddenly colder period, which kind of confused the flowers and caused them to come out over two weeks early. Many of the trees will probably loose all of their petals before school starts. And one of the most beloved group activities had to be moved early, too: Hanami.

Sakura in the main circle of ICU.

These silly sakura are growing from an
exposed tree root on the other side
of the walkway from the tree. The tree had
white blossoms, but these were pink!

Hanami is literally "flower viewing" and is what happens when friends and coworker gather beneath a sakura tree in full bloom to enjoy not only the flowers but also each other's company. Usually the food and drink are so good that people forget to gaze at the sakura up above. But during sakura season pretty much all of Japan goes on a picnic with the parks and sakura spots filling up after work and school lets out. With the early bloom of sakura, some groups are rescheduling their hanami (which they had originally planned for April) and Rei was kind enough to invite me to one for a bit. When we were walking in Asakusa, Kai and I came across quite a few hanami in one of the parks. I plan on being here next year, so maybe I'll organize one of my own to view the sakura and the ocean. I'll let you know how that turns out!

Sakura decorations in the local supermarket in
Musashi-sakae near ICU.

*Side note*: public drinking is totally fine in Japan, so these picnics under the trees can become more rambunctious rather than the natural art gallery viewing. If you can, I honestly suggest attending a hanami, but remember to bring a blanket as the Japanese feel sitting on the ground or grass is too dirty. HOWEVER, don't walk on the blanket. Take your shoes off before putting your feet on it.

Traveling in Japan: Trains, Lanes, and Airplanes

One of the bicycle garages at my college in Tokyo.

I've been in Japan for some time now, so I might as well explain how it is I got here. Usually, that sort of thing isn't noticed, but when you are traveling without a car, everything about transport is important because if there is not easy way to get where you want to go, you probably won't make it (unless you don't mind departing 3 hours early for a heart-healthy walk). And the great thing about Japan is how many modes of travel they have available. Rather than make a laborious story of it all, how about a breakdown? Okay, let me break it down for you!

Planes: Japanese planes may be like everyone else's, but I've found that steward(ess) profession is much different in foreign flight companies. They only hire the most beautiful, well spoken, well mannered, and well educated people only to put them through rigorous training to make them even more perfect. These people are the first example of your nation's citizens to foreign visitors or are the last ones they'll see before they go back to their country, so don't you want to make a great impression? If you are a steward(ess) in Japan, it means that you've passed many tests and can act and present yourself magnificently, so it is considered a rather fashionable and desired position. Soup operas who want to show a lovely and successful girl will cast her as a stewardess, always jetting off to wonderful and distant locations. Likewise, Asian airplane food has to be some of the best that I've ever had. Usually you have two choices but both are delicious, hot, and well presented.

Bullet Trains: Super smooth and quiet, bullet trains are great when you are short on time. Not all of them go the same speed or distance, either. Some of the lesser bullet trains can get you from the airport to a major city or from the south of Japan all the way up to Tokyo. The only issue I've ever had with bullet trains has been bringing too much luggage on them and navigating in the small entrance when you first get n and off. Besides that, I totally recommend them....if you have the cash.

Sure it may be a subway station, but why not
have a live and artistic ikibana arrangement?

Trains and Subways: Pretty much the same thing, really. Both are convenient, frequent, on time, and clean! Well, until someone on the late night weekend rides becomes sick, but that is cleaned quickly. I had heard terrible stories about theft on trains, disgusting conditions in subway halls, and late trains, but that hasn't really happened in Japan. The worst things are occasional groping (but just be aware of what is going on, stand on a woman only train car, or stand with your back to the wall and that pretty much solves that problem), suicide when someone jumps on the tracks (an extremely rare event), and if you get on an express train instead of a local (or vice versa) so that you skip right over the stop you wanted (or it takes you and extra 15 minutes because the local stops EVERYWHERE). All the tickets are pretty cheap, but they add up after a while, so be careful and try to get a deal on train passes if you can.

Buses: Besides being amazingly prompt and clean, the buses all have their schedules posted right on the bus stop sign. I remember the the RTA back home had information packets, but if you suddenly had the urge to catch a bus, you had to figure out when and where it was ahead of time or you were out of luck. Here you can suddenly think, "A bus ride would be nicer than a train", spot a bus stop and see when and where the next one is going. And if there is an area without a train, the bus routes are easier for the city to instigate. At the same time, transportation cards can work for trains, subways, and buses, so there is no need to always dig through your change purse before you get on.

Even this cat knows that bicycles are the
way to go. He was snoozing in one outside
of my old dorm at ICU.

Bicycles: Because so many people here have bicycles  there are stores and repair shops in every city. And the bicycles themselves are great! Most have deep baskets in the front for carrying all sorts of things, the light on the front of the bikes are powered by your pedaling, so no need to worry about killing the battery. Besides that, there is sometimes a rack on the back of the bike for futari nori (two people ridding a single person bike), but that is kind of illegal in some areas, so just bike around the police boxes ;) Most cities also have special bike lanes to keep pedestrians and bikers safe from cars and confusion, but these don't occur on all streets.

Walking: Japan is an extremely friendly walking area. Not only are the roads and sidewalks in good condition, but shop keepers keep these pathways immaculate and decorate their storefronts to attract pedestrians. Other walkers are also about, which makes the activity more friendly. What does that mean? Well, if I were ever walking home from a store in America, people thought that I needed help and would pull over to offer me a ride. "You poor thing. You've been walking for 10 minutes?! With that bag? Here, do you need a lift?" "Um, no, I like the exercise, the scenery, and I have a car and just chose not to use it." But here, other people are walking, so it isn't weird and you feel like your part of something normal, not an oddball or poor kid.

Clearly marked bicycle lanes

Taxis: Even after the last train or bus, the taxi's are still running. Taxi drivers aren't upset about dealing with foreigners, just make sure to know your address (writing/printing it on a card in Japanese and handing it to them is the easiest) because they can't understand "the hotel near the station, just past the bridge." When I was in Kyoto, the lady I was riding with had me chat with the taxi driver quite a bit to figure out good tourist spots and figure out why the had lace on all the headrests in the taxi. What is also interesting is that taxi's are also very clean! Who would have guessed right? But in the same way that an office worker organizes their desk, or a classroom is cleaned by the teacher and student, keeping the taxi neat and orderly is the responsibility and pride of the taxi driver. This also means that they can spot if you've left your wallet there rather quickly. HELPFUL HINT: Whenever you ride in a taxi, ALWAYS keep the receipt just in case you do lose something in it because the receipt will have the time and taxi number on it so when you call to report it, they can track down your belongings faster.

An indoor showroom I came across in an underground
shopping mall in Sakae, Nagoya, Japan.

Cars: Um, Japan is a major car maker, so are you surprised that they have stick AND automatic? The oddest thing here would be that they drive on the left, are forbidden to make ANY turns on red, all highways cost money to drive on them, and speed rules are strictly enforced. And while I have been told that Asians are terrible drivers, I would put them up for any World Champion Parking Contest. The spaces that they maneuver and park in (backwards, if they can help it) are so small. More power to them!

Sadly, I wasn't able to add motorcycles or scooters to that list, because I have not ridden on any here in Japan yet. I did ride on the back of a motor scooter in Shanghai with one of the Chinese teachers and that was.... precarious. But she was a Momma and made sure that I was confident the whole time and knew I'd arrive safely. It was the other drivers I was worried about!

Also, Japan has absolutely NO DRINKING AND DRIVING policy. That goes for bikes, scooters, motorcycles, and cars. So if you have had anything to drink within 12 hours, it is best to walk or take a train/taxi/bus. Either that or pay a pretty heavy fine. Just keep all of these things in mind and you'll be able to travel around safely and easily in Japan.

Kichijoji: My Favorite City Then and Now

Of all the Tokyo area cities, I have to say that Kichijoji is my favorite. It is so close to ICU that I could easily bike between the cities in half and hour. It was off of the Yamanote Line by a few stops, so you didn't have to worry about all of that congestion (however, it was still really crowded). It had tons of side streets for exploring and lots of little odd shops to look in. It was also the first place Miki showed me how to get to on the trains in Japan. When I tried to go there by myself, she made me promise to call to make sure I got there alright. Many of my fondest and strongest memories were made in Kichijoji.

To save too much time about the past, you can read about them for yourself. For everything about my adventures in Kichijoji before, check this out!

So on my last full day in Tokyo, I knew where I wanted to go. At first I was just going to wander around by myself, seeing if I still know my way about. But then my friend Mika got ahold of me and we made plans to meet up there in the evening. Early afternoon rolls around and I find myself at a hanami (more on that later) with Rei's friends from one of the dorms, when I hear a familiar voice.

"Oooh, Zaiton!" - it was Miki!!

One of the kouhai serving out food at the Wadaiko party.

She and Mao were on their way to the Wadaiko Club Room when they saw me. She asked if I was going to the party that night. Uhhhh, what party? The Review Party from the Sotspuro Concert the day before (I swear, more on that later). Overjoyed to hear that I could go out and see the Wadaiko kids and this time really get to talk to them, I agreed to come with them, but forgot to write down the information. Oh, no! I was supposed to meet Miki and Mao in front of the Club Room in 15 minutes, but my watch stopped and I was late. Or was I? Was it in 15 minutes or 15 minutes after the hour? Were we meeting at the station because I didn't have a bicycle anyway? Oh, dear. Keep in mind that I still don't have a Japanese cell phone and my smartphone is still on airplane mode so that I don't get crazy amounts of charges. Of course, I only realize this as I'm standing in front of the gym. AAAGGGHHH! What to do?

Salmon Sliders?? Great idea!!

I know!

I'll head to Kichijoji and wait at our usual spot. It was almost 4 and they said that they would all be meeting up there at 4:45. Or was it 5:45? Better to be early than miss the group, I suppose. With this thought, I dash off to the next bus, leap aboard, and charge my way onwards to Kichijoji! Well, that was how it was in my mind. In reality, I calmly and quietly used the public transportation to the train station and patiently waited on the platform for the Chuo Line to come. Right. And THEN, I dashed around all over Kichijoji station which, surprise surprise, Alexandra, has changed!! It is so much bigger now and they have blocked off older areas to refurbish them. So the spot where we all used to meet is now gone and I don't know where they decided to meet today, and it is getting closer to 4:45, which is when they could have been meeting, so what do I do? Starbucks wifi.

Makkun talking up a corner of girls. He had all of their
attention with his stories and jokes!

On the second story of the train station was a Starbucks, where I immediately went, sat and began to Facebook and email spam as many people as I could. "MAAAAOOOOO!!! MIIIKIIIIIII!! KOOOOJJJIIIII!! Someone please help me :("During this time, I got my wits together, realized that they weren't meeting up for another hour, and took the time to relax after my mad dash from ICU. My dojo boys had landed at the Narita airport (about an hour and a half and $40ish for a one way trip from where I was siting), so I caught up with them on my lovely wifi service. When the Wadaiko kids finally came, we all met up in from of 31 (Baskin Robins, yey!) and went off to the nomihodai (all you can drink party) for discussion, survey reading, fun, present giving, and thank you speeches. I was able to be with Miki most of the time, see Anna, catch up with Chiyuki, and even talk to Makkun! He talked to me! For reals! Two years ago that kid was so shy and quiet and he wouldn't even look you in the eye. But that night he was leading discussions and making jokes. What a transformation!

I had to leave the party early, but not before tearing up when the 13 started to cry in their thank you speeches. It was a blast and a half! The rest of the night was spent catching up with Mika (an old dorm friend) and when I went back to Rei's apartment, he had invited a friend to spend the night since they had missed the last train. We all ended up staying up to talk. A great and fun filled day!

Sensei (who hasn't changed a bit) laughs with some of the
younger girls during the speeches.

I'm Going On An Adventure!

When at the Airport:

This past Wednesday, I took a trip to the future by going to the past. First stop was Denver, then LA (which is always perfect when I go; how is that possible?), and then Tokyo!! The flights were rather uneventful...well, save for the end when two boys sitting next to me started asking for Japanese pickup lines and helpful phrases to use in restaurants and when selling merchandise for their clothing company. After arriving, I hauled all of my luggage on a smaller bullet train to meet my friend Rei, who was kind enough to let me stay at his apartment and pester him for a few days. We spent a lot of time talking, I watched him practice yoyo tricks, and we even went to the ICU Wadaiko performance (more, more, more on that later!!!!), but mostly we have been catching up from the two years since I left. He drew me a map of the area so that I could get to the station and start exploring or visit my old hangout spots. I went to Shibuya, ICU, talked to my old Dorm Dad, and even toured around Asakusa with my old Witt friend Kai! I've been having lots of good food and seeing so many beautiful flowers, but this next week will be all about work and catching up with my blog before I fall really, REALLY far behind.