A Week of Adventure - Week 1 in Tokyo

My first week in Japan has already been packed with new experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. We arrived on Sunday and quickly settled in before starting our Global Seminar on Monday. After class, we visited Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, where I got my first real glimpse of Japan's rich culture and history. Walking through the lively streets leading to the temple made for a great introduction to Tokyo, and we finished the day with our first big group dinner.

One of my favorite days was our trip to Yokohama, a beautiful coastal city just outside Tokyo. We visited a free maritime museum where a kind Japanese veteran gave us an incredible tour of a captured North Korean spy submarine. It honestly felt like something from a James Bond movie, a large submarine launching a smaller boat, which then carried an even smaller underwater scooter for covert missions. We ended the day exploring Yokohama Chinatown, enjoying great Chinese food, and visiting a beautiful Buddhist temple.

Later in the week, our Global Seminar took us to two fascinating museums. At the Showa Era Lifestyle Museum, we learned what everyday life was like for Japanese families during and after World War II. Then, at the Edo-Tokyo Museum, we followed Tokyo's transformation from the historic city of Edo into one of the world's largest and most exciting modern cities through impressive models and interactive exhibits.

Ofcourse the 3-day weekend was another time filled with so many unforgettable memeories, and I could keep going on and on about this but I think here is a good place to end. To me week one has already shown me how much there is to discover in Japan. Between classes, cultural sites, museums, and exploring new cities, every day has taught me something new. I'm excited to continue learning, visit even more places over the coming weeks, and make the most of this incredible opportunity. Side note: My favorite experince so far is that I am actually able to communicate at restaurants and cafes in Japanese!!!