Week 2 Japan!!!

If I had to choose one highlight from this week, it would undoubtedly be teamLab Planets. I had seen countless photos online before coming to Japan, but none of them captured what it actually felt like to walk through the exhibition. Instead of simply looking at art, visitors become part of it. Walking barefoot through water, moving through mirrored spaces, and watching digital flowers bloom and disappear around me created an experience unlike anything I had encountered before. It was a fascinating example of how Japan blends technology, creativity, and human interaction into something truly immersive.

Our academic excursion this week took us to Zojoji Temple, one of Tokyo's most historically significant Buddhist temples. Originally founded in the 14th century and later becoming closely associated with the Tokugawa shogunate, the temple offered a fun contrast to the modern skyline surrounding it. 

We also visited it during the tanbata vestival and the whole place had alot of candles as shown in the picture, the festival is about celebrating two kami (deities) that only get to meet once a year. Our guide told us since the sky wasn't clear they won't be able to meet and the will have to meet next year, but the sky's did eventually clear the way to give rise to this wonderful festival. 

Outside of the scheduled program, I spent much of the week exploring different parts of Tokyo on foot. One of my favorite discoveries has been how each neighborhood has its own distinct atmosphere. Shibuya was energetic and constantly changing, while Ginza felt much calmer and more refined. Rather than trying to rush through every destination, I found myself enjoying the process of wandering through streets, stopping at cafés, and observing everyday life. These slower moments often became just as memorable as visiting famous landmarks.

One particularly unexpected experience came after a transportation mishap late one evening. After missing my intended connection, I decided to run back toward my hotel instead of taking a taxi. The route took me across the Sumida River, where I stopped briefly to admire Tokyo Skytree reflected on the water before continuing toward Sensō-ji Temple. Arriving at the temple after midnight was completely different from visiting during the day. The crowds had disappeared, the lanterns softly illuminated the empty streets, and the entire area felt peaceful in a way that is impossible to experience during regular sightseeing hours. What began as an inconvenience unexpectedly became one of my favorite memories from Tokyo.

Throughout the week I also continued collecting goshuin (temple and shrine seals), visiting local cafés, and exploring neighborhoods beyond the major tourist attractions. These experiences have helped me appreciate that cultural immersion often comes from small, everyday interactions just as much as from visiting famous sites. Right now as week 3 starts we are in hiroshima and I can't wait to explore.