Changing Impressions

As the end of my exchange experiences nears, I find myself reminiscing more and more every day.  I’ve learned a lot about Japanese and Japanese culture while studying at Kansai Gaidai.  I knew being submersed into the Japanese culture 24/7 would be beneficial to my language studies, but I didn’t realize the shock I would take due to the differences between Japanese and Canadian culture.

[Kansai Gaidai]

My family is Chinese, and I’ve actually travelled to Japan several times before coming to Kansai Gaidai so I never thought I would be a victim of culture shock.  Thinking back, I feel like I can relate many of my experiences to the articles we read in Visual Anthropology.  The most relevant article is Befu’s Ethnography of Dinner Entertainment in Japan.  I found it shocking when my Japanese friend invited me over for dinner, but when I arrived I realized the invitation was only out of kindness and in reality they probably didn’t want me there.  I realized this when the two girls I was with at the time spent the entire night gossiping about people I didn’t know.

Befu made me realize that I was a victim of collusion; the idea of saying one thing but doing something else.  I want to think on a culturally relative level but can’t help but be ethnocentric.  Why can’t Japanese people just express what they feel?  I talked to my Japanese roommate about this issue and realized that to her westerns are selfish.  To my mind, I feel like Japanese people aren’t selfish enough.  If the two girls didn’t want me at the dinner, they shouldn’t have invited me in the first place.

With this in mind, I start to question if I can ever make a true Japanese friend.  By “true” I mean someone that isn’t afraid to tell me what they feel and what they want.  When I wrote my first post, I only looked at the surface of Japan [pachinko, ferries wheels, ect.].  Now that my exchange is coming to an end, I’ve realized the complexity of Japanese people and they’re way of thinking. I wish I had more time to explore these discoveries. 

[Japan]

Kyoto: Kiyomizudera

After making trips out to both Osaka and Kobe I realized I have yet to shine light on Kyoto.  Before arriving at Kansai Gaidai I actually stayed in Kyoto for two weeks to sightsee.  After 3 months I finally made a trip back and realized Kyoto has a very calming atmosphere when compared to Osaka. What I found interesting is that everyone, not just foreign students but even Kansai students all shared this attraction to Kyoto; it’s no wonder Kyoto is said to be one of Japan’s most beautiful city.

Kyoto use to be Japan’s capital, from 784 to 1869 summing up to be more than 1200 years of history. To this day there are still more than 2600 temples in the Kyoto Prefecture.

As November just passed, so did the peak of the Japanese koyo viewing tradition.  Every autumn, travelers from all over the world come to Japan to view these colourful leaves, which was very evident when I made my way to Kiyomizudera last weekend. There were rows upon rows of people lined against the main hall trying to get a picture of the view.  Kiyomizudera [Pure Water Temple] is one of the most celebrated temples in Japan and is known for its wooden stage that gives a breathtaking view of cherry blossoms, maple trees and Kyoto city.  Kiyomizudera also encompasses Jishu Shrine [dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking] and Otowa Waterfall [three separate streams that bring longevity, success at school and love]. When night time falls, Kiyomizudera is illuminated, however because there were so many people, I did not have a chance to enjoy this.

[Kiyomizudera Enterance]

[View of Kyoto City from the entrance]

[View from the main stage in Kiyomizudera]

[night time view of Kyoto City]

Overall I was a tad disappointed with this trip because a lot of patience was needed to endure the mass amount of people all coming to view the koyo.  The route and view were breathtaking and something I would definitely recommend to anyone, but only if they plan on going on a weekday.

Reference:

Kyoto’s History

http://www.kyoto-travel.com/kyoto-information/information.html

http://www.kyotokyoto.jp/about_kyoto/history.html

Koyo

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014.html

List of Kyoto’s Popular Koyo Viewing Spots:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3953.html

Kobe

I made a trip out to Kobe over the weekend and was intrigued with how each prefecture has certain qualities that make it so unique. Before leaving I asked my Kansai Gaidai friends places they would recommend around Kobe. Nankinmachi, also known as Kobe’s Chinatown was one that came up several times. This was followed by Kobe’s port area and Sannomiya for shopping. All of them agreed with the idea that Kobe is very fashionable and modern. When I asked them about their thoughts on Osaka, takoyaki and Osaka-ben where repeatedly mentioned. It was interesting to compare what my Kansai Gaidai friends thought of Kobe and Osaka, because although these two areas are just a 2 hour train ride away, they have such different and unique qualities.

[Kobe Tower]

I continued my Kobe research online and found that it’s actually the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, as well as one of Japan’s ten largest cities.  I would not have assumed this because many of my friends that came back from Kobe told me how they thought the city is quite small.  Kobe is also a very important port city as it was among the first to be opened to foreign trade in the 19^th century. I realized its importance when I was walking to the port and came across this memorial.

Something I didn’t realize was that I was standing in front of Kobe’s City Museum, one of Kobe’s main attractions.

Nankinmachi is very unique and upon further research I realized it became what it is today only because the area was developed by Chinese merchants who settled near Kobe Port after it opened to foreign trade. 

[Nankinmachi] 

The port was beautiful, and it’s popularity was evident when I witnessed over 5 weddings that day, with the last one taking place on a yacht that sailed around the harbor.  I found the area to be designed in very modernized way that made it very appealing [when compared to Osaka].

[Mosaic Shopping Mall]

Although I only got a glimpse of Kobe, I m intrigued to find more.  I definitively plan on revisiting this large city before I return home to Canada.

Reference:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2159.html

Travel Kobe:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g298562-Kobe_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki-Vacations.html

Osakajo

As a current exchange student in Osaka, sightseeing has become second nature to my everyday life. I love learning about Japanese history, which naturally drew me to the numerous shrines, temples and castles. I recently made a trip to Osakajo and was blown away by the entire experience. 

Even before entering the castle we had to cross a bridge over a moat and stone barriers.  The stone barriers made a huge impression on me. There was a staircase leading to the top of the barriers, where you could get a breathtaking view of the Osakajo Park area.
Upon entering the park I was surprised to find not only beautiful Japanese gardens, but a Shrine [Hokoku Shrine] as well.  Upon talking to some visiting Japanese residences, I learned that the area is quiet famous for their cherry blossom trees that spout early April.  The shrine itself is guarded by a giant status of Toyotoi Hideyoshi. After paying my respect to the shrine I finally headed towards Osakajo.

[Japanese Garden]

I unexpectedly arrived on an anniversary date and was able to enter without paying the 600 yen fee. I was shocked by how modernized the castle is;  the inside is fully refurnished with wood.  Elevators took you up to the 5^th floor, where you then had to staircase yourself up to the top.  Every floor was full of history and once I reached the top, I was awarded with this breathtaking view.

[Osakajo]

[Exhibit on every level]

[View from the top]

I definitely recommend Osakajo as a sightseeing spot.  It was an amazing experience, and something anyone can enjoy.

References:
Additional Information on Toyotoi Hideyoshi : 
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2123.html


Other popular travelling spots:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2157.html


Osakajo Guide:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4000.html

Yodoyabashi Train Station

When I arrived in Hirakatashi I knew if I were to take the Keihan Line, Yodoyabashi would be one of the end of line station in Osaka [every train would eventually stop there including local, semi express, ect.]. Keeping this in mind I knew the station had to have some kind of importance. When I headed down to Yodoyabashi station, the first thing I realized was how much it costed. 320 yen for a 26 minute train ride if you’re lucky enough to catch the Limited Express Line from Hirakatashi Station. If I were to do a round trip, the cost totals to 640 yen, and that doesn’t even include the 440 yen round way bus ride. 

Whenever I wanted to go shopping or meet up with friends, Yodoyabashi was the transfer point.  If you depart from Hirakatashi station, the most convenient way of switching over to the Osaka Municipal Subway Midosuji Line is at Yodoyabashi station.  At this point, you can access several large shopping districts such as Umeda, Hommachi and Shinsaibashi.

With such large shopping districts just one stop away, my first assumption of Yodoyabashi Station was that it was a major shopping district as well. After asking my Japanese friends, I soon realized this station is just the opposite; a busy corporate area.  Coming out of the station I was greeted by this beautiful metropolitan scenery on the Yodoyabashi Bridge.  But after this point, there was nothing but formal looking sky scrapers of business headquarters and hotels. The area is accessible by the Keihan bus, as well as limousine buses to the airport.  Major institutions around the station include Osaka City Hall and Nakanoshima Park [a public park that lies between Dojima and Tosabori River]. Major business headquarters include Osaka Gas Co. and Mizuno Corporation.

[Osaka City Hall]

[Nakanoshima Park]

I had fun exploring this area and hope to spend time exploring other stations as well.  It was very interesting to see how every station has something particular about it that makes it unique.

Reference:

Keihan Route Map

http://www.keihan.co.jp/en/station/

Google map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=yodoyabashi%20station&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=10197l13059l0l13196l19l15l0l0l0l0l319l1976l0.10.1.1l12l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=643&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

City Hall Picture:

http://www.panoramio.com/user/1766963

Nakanoshima Park Picture:

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=nakanoshima+park&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1W2SNNQ&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=yW8DUSPOQwCr8M:&imgrefurl=http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/sightseeing_5025.html&docid=egQAKHO9IhMqgM&imgurl=http://www.osaka-info.jp/db/sightseeing/5025-L.jpg&w=365&h=205&ei=6lWhTvX8O-qcmQXZ_6WfCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=347&vpy=164&dur=1458&hovh=164&hovw=292&tx=189&ty=32&sig=104982329602651391336&page=1&tbnh=99&tbnw=177&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&biw=1366&bih=643

Portrait of a Japanese Person: Umeda Saya

Before coming to Japan and taking part in this exchange, I talked with many past Kansai Gaidai exchange students to hear their take on this experience.  Majority mentioned that making a true Japanese friend was the most difficult, as it was almost impossible to get over the “How are you, how was your weekend? That’s awesome! Bye now,” fluff talk. But even knowing this, I was prepared to push my comfort boundaries to make true friends. After moving into dorms and entering Gaidai, the process actually ended up being a lot easier than I thought. I got lucky.

My closest friend to date has to be my house mate, Saya.  She’s a second year Gaidai Student pursuing a degree in Tourism.  Her family is in Fukouka, which is why she’s living in dorms for one semester with the rest of us. Saya has so many characteristics that just embodies what is Japanese.  She’s so reserved, but always willing to extend herself to help others.  When it comes to homework, dinner, going out, she’s always there to help and give advice. 

Cooking is the most difficult problem we faced to date as a group. None of us know how to cook, and if it wasn’t for Saya I’m sure we would have all been on an instant noodle diet. I was able to catch this moment when Saya was preparing her bento for the next day’s lunch. The moment I mentioned this anthropology project, the first thing that came to her mind was “I don’t have any make up on!” which is so Japanese; no surprise at all.  But I m glad I caught her here, since it was because of cooking and making bento together every day, that brought us closer as friends.

Making Japanese friends isn’t hard at all.  Thinking back now, we’re all curious about each other and the more open you are with yourself, the higher the chances are of making a new best friend. 

Neighborhood Hirakata

I’ve always defined each neighborhood in Japan by their train station, mainly because I could never read the Kanji to decipher a street address. When I first arrived at Hirakatashi Station, I was shocked to see how calm and quiet the area was. With only the stereotypical metropolitan areas of Tokyo and Osaka station images in mind, it was clear this area was going to be the exact opposite. Walking into the nearby Kintetsu Department store, I was trampled by mothers and grandmothers, buying groceries for the following night. Looking around, shops were targeted towards the older generation, mature clothing, nothing really suitable for myself. It only took me 2 hours to explore all of the station area, until I hopped onto a bus and took it back up to my dorm, heading into a Japanese residential area.

The same night I took a late night bike ride to further examine the neighborhood I now call home. There was something different about this residential area compared to my home back in Calgary, but I just couldn’t put my finger on it [probably because I got use to my surroundings already]. I grabbed my camera and began to shoot buildings I typically wouldn’t see in my neighborhood back home. Coming out onto the main street, the first thing that hit me was the Pachinko building “Himawari”. Right next to it, a giant supermarket, “Top World”. When I turned the corner, I found myself at a karaoke bar, and then down the street was “Fashion Mall”. With just a 10 minute bike ride, I passed by over 5 convenient stores.

Japan truly took the word convenience to another level. Everything one needs to survive is located in such a small area. When I returned from my bike ride, I realized how different a Canadian and Japanese residential area was. I would have had to drive at least 10 min to find my nearest convenient store. Grocery shopping would also be impossible without a car [our bikes don't even have baskets], and the nearest karaoke bar is downtown, a 40 minute drive away. If only Canada could better utilize this word, "convenience". I've now come to define my neighborhood as the areas my bicycle will take me. This encompasses Hirakatashi eki all the way till Keihan National Highway.[between Kappa Sushi and Donquijote - ドン・キホーテ].