Japan is famous for amazing heritage sites located throughout the country. I had the fortune of touring the Kanto region, specifically Tokyo and Yokohama, to view some of these peaceful locations.

In the Asakusa district, there is the Kaminarimon Gate (雷門) with two large statues of Buddhist deities. Their names are Fujin and Raijin. Through the gates, there is a shopping street, Nakamise-dori, that leads to a Buddhist temple called Sensoji Temple (浅草寺). Without going into too much historical detail, Sensoji Temple is considered Tokyo’s oldest: 645 AD. I travelled with a few local friends who told me that when you pray, you don’t need to clap your hands since it is a Buddhist temple. The shrine has a beautiful garden and a five-story pagoda.

During 730 AD, in Otemachi, Tokyo, the Kanda Myojin Shrine (神田明神) was built. The temple was moved in 1603 to its current location, close to Akihabara, and now sells talismans blessing electronics and technology. This shrine also hosts the Kanda Matsuri, one of the biggest festivals in Japan, every year. My friends and I enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere as we sat in the courtyard to take a break.

In between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line is Harajuku Station. Located nearby is a forest in the middle of the city. Here you find Meiji Shrine (明治神宮) and Yoyogi Park (代々木公園). The torii gate is the entrance to the shrine grounds, and the tranquil forest surrounds everything from all sides, completely blocking out noise of the city. I found myself buying a couple charms as part of the Shinto shrine tradition reading: good health and good fortune. My friends and I sat at a bench to enjoy the view and drink water—the summer heat was strong that day.

The last temple I visited in Tokyo was Zojoji Temple (三縁山増上寺), right beside Tokyo Tower and encompassed by Shiba Park. This temple is a major tourist destination due to its proximity to Tokyo Tower. It is relatively close to Hamamatsucho Station and is another Buddhist Temple.

Of course, there are other small shrines and temples located throughout Tōkyō, but unfortunately I didn’t have time to visit them all. My next stop was Yokohama—the first harbour city originally used as the entrance to Japan by the rest of the world long ago. From there I travelled to the small but festive town of Kamakura to see the great Buddha statue, or Daibutsu (大仏). Although Daibutsu is not a Shrine or temple, it is still an important historical site and national treasure of Japan. The colossal bronze statue is a model of Amida-butsu, also known as the Amitābha Buddha. It is said to be almost 800 years old from temple records.

Not too far from the Daibutsu is Hokokuji Temple (報国寺). As I walked the pathway to this shrine, the scenery changed, and walls of bamboo soared up to the sky. The secluded atmosphere makes this shrine a wonderful place to relax and contemplate. I pulled out an old book to sketch some of the elegant scenery. Supposedly, there are over 2000 bamboo stalks that make up the forest.

The last place I visited was Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (鶴岡八幡宮) in Kamakura. Its origins stem from the Kamakura government and the samurai god, Hachiman. Upon entering the torii gate, a long pathway leads to a shrine maiden dancing stage. I actually visited this shrine a few times because of its unique beauty. However, be warned that it is always busy during the day. I recommend visiting in the late afternoon or early evening.

Written by Gillian Dickie, 2019 Global English Camp intern

Edited by Paige Goetz, Director of Communications

8/13/2019

Kids and Kaleidoscopes

Two weeks ago, an intern, Mark, gave me a kaleidoscope, and I’ve kept it with me since. Nearly every other day for school it’s been in my suitcase, but I decided to put it in my backpack to show my students today. Our usual morning meeting was moved, so I ended up taking a later bus to school. Lawrence, another fellow intern, and I caught the bus the moment we arrived at the stop. 

Lawrence sat in the front and I stood near the back. I pulled out my phone to check a text and hear  “American?” in the tiniest, Japanese voice ever. I see a little boy (around 7 years old) sitting next to two friends of his same age. He is grinning widely at me while his two friends are punching him and laughing. I point to myself and say, “Yes! Los Angeles.” They laugh and nod in earnest because they recognize city name. They continue to talk to me in the little English they do know (which is “hi” and “your name?”). I then felt a tap on my shoulder and turn to see a row of little girls sitting behind me (same age) and realize that the bus is filled with school kids. Their teachers are standing in the aisles in front of my seat, and I have a conversation in broken English with them, explaining that I am a Toshin teacher working with Japanese HS students to learn English. The boys continue to talk to me, and I play a few games with them (slap and high five- to their GREAT amusement).

 I then remember that I have the kaleidoscope! Taking it out of my bag, I show the boys how to use it. They immediately start jumping with joy and lose their minds. The confident boy who tapped me initially and asked “American?” is having a BALL. He tries to (very respectfully) to give it back to me after he’s done playing, and I tell him that I want him to have it. His face looks incredibly shocked and he profusely thanks me :) I tell him the one condition is that he must share, so he shows his friends and makes sure that I’m watching him share for the rest of the bus ride. Their school stop comes and the teachers thank me for the conversation, kaleidoscope, and kindness. They also apologized for the kids bothering me, and I assure them that I loved being around them. All the kids get off the bus while giving me high fives, and I wave from the window as the bus drives away. 

This 15 minute interaction left me smiling. It was so fleeting. At first, I had an inclination to take out Snapchat and take pics of these ADORABLE kids and their interest in me being American, but looking back I love that I simply got to enjoy the moment. It all seems like a fluke but thank god I happened to get on THAT bus and have the kaleidoscope on me. This high kept me going for the rest of the day, and I cannot help but smile when I think back on this simple yet magical moment with Japanese school children and a kaleidoscope. 

By Marisa Sashti, 2019 Intern

UCLA

I’m not a sports person. I’ve never been to a baseball game in America, and I’ve never even played a sport in school. But man, do I love baseball in Japan.

Whenever I work for the Global English Camp program, I attend at least one baseball game. In my opinion, baseball in Japan is nothing like baseball in America.

Keep in mind that this is my own perception. Everyone’s experience may be different. But after enjoying many, many, baseball games in Japan without having any interest in sports—to be honest, I hardly even know the rules of baseball—you may want to consider buying a ticket.

Why?

Players have theme songs.

Not only that, but everyone in the bleachers usually knows every word to these songs. There are even accompanying gestures and claps that you’re expected to remember. Live brass instrumentation play from everywhere at once. It’s like you’re living in a flash mob.

There’s props.

Sometimes. At least, for the Swallows —the best team ever—people lift special miniature umbrellas whenever a home run is scored. Of course, a special song plays here, too. Fans sing the words as they raise the umbrellas to the beat. If you don’t own an umbrella, those sitting by you often let you borrow one. They may even shove it in your hands! You have to celebrate! Which brings me into my last point.

The communal atmosphere.

Regardless of language barriers, chances are you’ll still end up high-fiving the people sitting by you. You’ll cheer, you’ll laugh, and you’ll cry.

Now, I’ve never been to a baseball game in America, but I’ve heard rumors. There are aggressive people, dirty bleaches, and lots of drinks. Yes, people still drink and get excited in Japan—but whereas that atmosphere is sometimes described as rowdy and gross in America, it’s more fun in Japan, and, in my opinion, more like a big hangout session with others rooting for the same team. 

Any negatives?

I’ve only attended baseball games with my friends, so going alone may be a different experience. Tickets can also be challenging to buy if you don’t speak Japanese, as those are purchased at convenience stores or the stadium itself. But if you want to herd a group of your friends and root for the Swallows in Tokyo this summer, I highly recommend it.

—

Written by Paige Goetz, Director of Communications