After preparing myself for months, last week I finally flew 14-hours around the globe and landed safe and sound in Narita International Airport in Japan to begin my five-week adventure of studying a new language and culture. I knew there would be some amount of culture shock, and because I've traveled abroad before, I already knew how to handle it--or so I thought. Everything is different in Japan, so the culture shock is still there every time I encounter something new-- which is almost every day. Culture shock is something that deserves an article all to itself, and I will write about it some time; maybe after I've decompressed back at home and recovered from the shock. Despite the jarring amount of culture shock, I am determined to see and experience as much as I can within the areas I am confined to. In this first week, I've traveled to a few noteworthy places such as Harajuku, Yokohama, Kamakura and Akihabara.
Harajuku
The first place I went purely for my own entertainment was Harajuku. It is best described as a hub for young people, shopping and fashion. I saw people from different countries sporting a variety of fashions ranging from the cutesy mori style, to the iconic Lolita style and even various styles of all-black goth fashion as well. The streets were crowded, and it was boiling hot, but my friends and I managed to have a blast exploring the shops and having lunch at a cute themed cafe. Harajuku was busy and bursting at the seams with activity, but it felt like it was just the right size to explore in a day. I would gladly go back there again and stop by the crepe shop to try a signature Harajuku style crepe while taking a break from people watching and shopping.
Kamakura
My current Japanese residence is with a host family, and their home is actually in Kamakura--or at leas, very close to it. My host mother took me and my roommate to Meigetsu-in Temple where I basked in the sunlight and absolutely stunning natural scenery. This temple is especially notable for its plethora of hydrangea flowers that grow all throughout the grounds. The temple grounds were quiet and peaceful even with many people flowing along the stone pathways. I have a personal appreciation for nature, so many Japanese temples appeal to my aesthetic preferences due to their oneness with nature. I really enjoyed my time there even though I came home sporting a fresh sun burn.
Yokohama
On the opposite end of things, I also visited Yokohama--a large city that neighbors Tokyo. The city scene is very different from the scenery of the temples, but even in the city, nature is preserved and respected. Yokohama especially has a special bond with nature as it is a port city with a very interesting history. It was the location where Japan first fully opened its shores to the outside world when Commodore Perry paid a visit. Much of Yokohama's nature is ocean, but the city embraces the boardwalk aesthetic and has opted to place its iconic skyline right on the shoreline.
Akihabara
Akihabara is known for two things: anime and electronics and it certainly did not disappoint in either area. It is much bigger than Harajuku, both are hot spots for tourists. Akihabara is flashy and absolutely covered in anime and neon signs. I felt overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of anime titles that I've never seen before and the swarms of people walking the streets and exploring the stores. Akihabara is definitely a whole day trip in and of itself, and it's easy to get overwhelmed and burnt out quickly while trying to see everything. It may even take multiple visits to get the most wholesome experience out of it as possible. A single visit can feel too overwhelming. I hope to go back and look a little bit harder for merchandise of my interests, but I also probably won't have the funds to support it because man, is it expensive to shop there! Dedicated fans will bite the bullet and cough up the cash for the sake of exclusive and promotional merchandise for their favorite anime, though.
These are the first few places I've visited either to shop or to sight-see in Japan. I'll be visiting Tokyo soon, and I hope to see more famous attractions as well as other areas that are more popular with locals rather than tourists. There is rarely a shortage of things to do, even coming home to bond with my home stay family and learn more about Japanese day-to-day life is exciting and interesting. I hope to write about many things I've learned in future articles. Stay tuned to hear more about my adventures here in Japan!
