jada

Day 1

I got to the airport not fully registering that I was going to be in a completely different country within 20-ish hours. I didn't feel nervous, I felt excited to experience something new. Ever since elementary school I've always wanted to come to Japan. I saw how beautiful the city through a screen but I really wanted to experience it for myself. In the flight to Dallas, the fact that I was going to be in Japan in 14 hours was starting to set in, yet I still wasn't scared. The excitement was all I felt because the dream I've had since elementary school is about to come true in 14 hours! I just have to get through this flight and I'll be in Japan!... This was harder than I thought it was going to be, sitting on a plane for 14 hours really sucks (lol). Even though the food was mediocre and my bones started to ache, it was all worth it. Now that the hardest part was over we just had to get to our hotel, which was hard but it beats sitting on a plane for 14 hours. Between getting our train passes to and walking out of the last station I was tired and jet-lagged, all I wanted to do was lay down and get ready for tomorrow. The youth hostel was so nice there's food everywhere and the bath was amazing I feel very rejuvenated after this long long day. I can't wait for tomorrow and what it has to offer!

Day 2

Today we got to eat breakfast at the hostel! It was a buffet-style display with Western and Japanese style food. I had some salad, croissants, croquettes, rice, eggs, sausages, which sounds like a lot but it wasn't. The best thing I had was the sausages and croissants but all of it was good. After eating we started our day with a trip to Odaiba were we visited the Team Lab Borderless Exhibit. It was super pretty and I would love to have had more time to walk around and experience all it has to offer. My favorite part was the Athletic Forest where you could play and jump around the exhibit. After that, we rode a train to go to eat lunch/brunch. We had jiggly, fluffy, pancakes for lunch! I had the blueberry cream cheese pancakes which was so so good :P. After lunch, we headed to Ueno for a shrine visit. We went to the Toshogu shrine which was very pretty and peaceful. We walked around the flower garden that had actual real live flowers... in the middle of winter! At the end of the walk, we could write haikus, I wrote mine about beautiful flowers and cold weather. Then we got to walk around the temple which was covered in gold and beautiful art. I got to pray to the Gods about 3 times one of them was O-Tanuki-sama which I think I messed up a bit but I think O-Tanuki-sama would forgive me. It turns out that praying to O-Tanuki-sama gives you good luck in exams! After that, we visited Ameyoko which is a former black market. There were a ton of streets stalls, food, and shops with clothes and stuff it was really cool. We also meet Yukoto sensei’s friend who made us gifts which were really nice. We ate dinner near Ameyoko, I had some karage udon with salmon rice. Then we went to Tokyo Sky Tree where we met Sensei’s friend from a previous trip she was super nice, she bought us some gifts which was some chocolate candy. When we got back to the hostel my feet hurt a lot and my ankles got some rub burns on them. Today a had a ton of medical problem first it was the ankles then my knee kinda gave out, then I got yet another nosebleed during dinner. Crazy day right? I hope tomorrow my body will stop falling apart I can enjoy Shibuya and Shinjuku (lol).

P.s Sensei can make crow sounds and dove sounds

Day 3

Today is our last day in Tokyo which is kind of sad but I'm excited to see what Aomori looks like. For out last day in Tokyo we visited Meiji shrine in Shibuya. It was raining the whole time but I didn't mine for the most part, the rain made set a very calming mood which is rare to have in a big city like Tokyo. The walk up to the shrine was long but there was a lot of stuff to look at on the way, like information about the shrine, giant sake barrels, and the beautiful forest around us. Before we entered the shrine we cleaned our hands at a water station which froze my hands but it had to be done. There were a lot of crows and doves out today, which made me happy because the noises they made really added to the calming mood of the shrine.

After the shrine visit we were set free to shop in Takeshita street which is where all of the clothes shops are,and where I bought most of my gifts. Takeshita street was so bright and beautiful and there were so many different shops and food stall, I was determined to find an anime store even if it killed me. I found one! I bought two key chains and some stuff from the gacha machine, I'm super happy about what I bought :). After Takeshita street we headed to Shinjuku for lunch. For lunch we had conveyor belt sushi, which was so good. I order some Inari sushi, fatty tuna, boiled beef, sea urchin, and matcha ice cream. The waiters were so nice and friendly although they did look slightly concerned with 22 foreigners coming at one time.

After dinner we were going to go to an amusement park but it was still raining so was when to a samurai museum. Being a history nerd I found it to be super cool, we learned about the amour they wore and their life styles, different rakes of samurai, what kind of weapons they use, really interesting stuff. At the end of the tour we got to see a samurai sword demonstration and ninja demonstration which was awesome and exciting. We left the museum and went to the Robot restaurant! It was very loud and very cool, there were lights flashing everywhere with awesome visuals. The whole show was 90 mins long every minute was enjoyable the first part was like a robot festival, then it was some end of the world types stuff, then it was an Idol show and lastly a kumbaya-esque, everybody hold hands scene. After all that excitement traveled to the Hachiko dog statues to meet up with Aurora's previous exchange student and when out to eat lunch. We ate lunch in a mall, and I had Katsudon for the first time! It was so good, I've always wanted to eat katsudon it looks so good and it was! After dinner my nose started to bleed again which sucked and was kinda embarrassing. when we reached the hostel packed up and go ready to head to Aomori in the morning.

Day 4

Today we left Tokyo for the fancy hostel in Aomori! I was sad to leave Tokyo after everything we experienced but it was super fun and I wish I could have done some more shopping. As sad as it was to leave Tokyo, Aomori was calling our names and I was ready to move on. Getting to Aomori took a while we had to take a Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to get there, which took about an hour or so. For lunch we had bento (cold lunch), I got the pork katsu bento which had pork cutlets, rice, umeboshi (pickled plum), and potato salad. Finally, we reach Aomori and it is cold, I mean we just left Tokyo which was 60°F to Amori which is 30° with snow and wind. Doesn't sound to ap-peel-ing does it (Aomori's trademark is apples, I had to I'm sorry).

The hotel we stayed at was super fancy. It was modern looking but still had a Japanese feel to it. We waited in the lobby for about an hour then we went to our rooms and got ready dinner. Dinner was buffet style so there was a lot to choose from, like a ton to choose from. For dinner, I had fish, tempura, rice, a lot of apples and apple juice. The apples were so sweet and crisp! For dessert, I had apple pie which was amazing! After dinner, we could rest in our rooms for a while before going out to see the light-up frozen waterfall display. The light-up frozen waterfall was really pretty, but the whole time it was raining really bad. Luckily they provided umbrellas but overall it was a fun experience. We came back to the hotel and I entered the onsen with Aurora, the water was super hot but it felt really good. The bed is really soft and I can't wait to sleep in it tonight. 😪😪

day 5

I woke up early and I felt super groggy, for some reason last was ruff. But as soon as I ate breakfast everything was fine and I was ready for the rest of the day. Today we had a lot of free time today so I got to do some homework and sleep a little it was relaxing. Around 10 o'clock it was time for my group to go snowshoeing, I had to layer up because it rained last night and snowed this morning. Snowshoeing was fun, we walked around the backside of the hotel and across the bridge. The forest was super beautiful because it was covered in ice and snow. After the hike, I wanted to walk around more and so did Rho so both of us walk around the forest and took some pictures. Afterward's we had lunch that wasn't a buffet but provided by the hotel. We ate apple beef curry which smacked (tasted good), and it was supposed to come with some apple juice but I didn't get any. I was kind of confused and upset at the time, but then I realized this is an apple-themed hotel and there is apple juice everywhere. Soon after that realization, I thought "I gonna be sick of apple juice when we leave Aomori”.

After lunch, we planned a trip to the mountains to go sledding/skiing but for some reason, we didn't. Instead, we had a huge snowball fight on top of a mountain! It was chaotic but I had so much fun! After the snowball fight we tried to do a Hadoken photoshoot which somewhat worked out! Then we had yet another snowball fight. When everything settled down we all took the chair lift thingy down ( I've always wanted to ride one) the mountain and we walked back to the hotel which was relaxing.

When we got back to the hotel I felt gross and soggy so I wanted to get in the onsen a fast as possible. I snatched up Aurora and we went to the onsen, then we worked on homework with the other students in the lobby. I had some ice cream to cool me down which I shared with the others, I got strawberry ice cream and dorayaki (do-ra-ya-key) shaped chocolate icecream. Soon after that it was dinner time I had more tempura, grilled scallop, apples of course, rice, and salad. The grilled scallop was good but I tried to eat the chewy part for about 10 mins and realized it was not gonna go down. For dessert, I once again had apple pie, tiramisu and berry cheesecake. After dinner Me, Alex and Aroura had tea time, and for a long time then Yukoto sensei walked in and sat in the massage chair. She then left and came back with VanKrey sensei which startled all three of us, he also sat in the chair. After they left I started to pack for tomorrow's adventure to the 2nd hotel.

Day 6

Today we are leaving the first hotel, Oirase, for the second one Aomoriya.

Day 1

Today was my first day of high school in Japan, I was excited to see what a real Japanese school is like. But before I talk about the school, let me explain my morning. Kanon and I ( My host sister) woke up around 6:30 am which was about 30 minutes too early for me. First, we ate breakfast, then we brushed our teeth and washed our faces. For breakfast, I had a raspberry/strawberry cereal, orange juice and mochi with Anko ( red bean paste). The mochi with Anko was delicious. After we ate we got ready for school which was a 15-minute drive away from home.

When we got to school we had to change in different shoes just like you would do at home. Soon after I meet up with the other Trippers in a classroom to talk about the plans for this week. It turns out that we have to give our presentations on Tuesday, not Friday... great... I'm super nervous about giving presentations in English already so let's see how this goes. Today the school had a welcoming ceremony in the gym which doubles as an auditorium, it was super cold. VanKrey sensei and Aurora gave really good speeches. I was feeling nervous for them because it is never easy speaking in front of people in any language. The school gave us really shine blue mugs as a gift for coming, I will definitely be using it when I get home :). After the ceremony my host student picked me up and we headed to class. Here in Japan students stay in class a day while the teachers move from class to class. I've gotta say I don't really like that system. It has its pros and it's cons, the pros being you don't have to lug around a backpack all day or worry about being late to each class. The cons being you sit in the same class with nothing to stimulate your senses except the work and the people for 48 minutes. But on the bright side, we had gym and that woke me up. We play basketball and I sucked at it but the other Trippers Stephon, Sam, and Dresden were pretty good. After gym we had more classes but they were separate from our host students. We had to help out some other KJ students with their presentations which were in English, we gave them feedback and help them edit their slides. This lasted for about 2 periods and at the end of the 2nd period a really nice girl came up to me and we talked for about 10 minutes. After we helped the KJ students, we headed back to the meeting room to work on our presentations. It was very light-hearted and I think everyone is ready to present tomorrow with confidence.

After school we were invited to tea club! It's been forever since I made tea, I miss the tea club and the juniors and sophomores. The tea room at KJ was a tatami room ( bamboo floor room) it was very beautiful. They served us mochi with red bean inside and the cute little flour on top. Since there were 22 of us they had prepared tea before we got there. The tea that we had there was more bitter than the one we had back home. After everybody was done drinking their tea and eating mochi they asked for 5 students to come up and make tea, of course me, Alex, Asia and Aurora had to go up there, after all, we are tea club members, Milo also joined. The water that they gave us to make the tea was really hot and when I drink it I burned my tongue but it was still delicious. When the club was done Kanon came to pick me up and we walked to the station with Asias host sister Moe. While walking to the station we shared an umbrella and talked about everything under the sun.

Today is Setsubun (Se-tsu-boo-n) in Japan which is a holiday where you throw peanuts at demons to ward of evil and bring happiness. Me, Kanon and Dad went to Town Hall and had peanuts thrown at us, we collect as many as we could. During Setsubun you should eat as many peanuts as you age for a year of good luck. It reminds me if my family tradition of eating greens and black-eyed peas for good luck on new years. Other than peanuts we ate Ehomaki (eh-ho-ma-key) it's like a sushi roll but you eat it whole. Ehomaki making reminds me of taco night at my house. You can put anything you want in your roll, I put pork, eggs, and lettuce in the 1st one then shrimp, crab, and greens in the next one and for the last one, I once again put pork, eggs, and lettuce. Today was super fun and I can't wait for tomorrow.

Day 2

Today is my 2nd day at school! I woke up cold and the first thing I saw was my breath in the air. Soon after I woke up Mom walked in and turned on the light and the heater, which was loud but I welcome the warmth. Kanon and I stumbled out of bed and headed over to the table for breakfast. Once again I had cereal but this time I had chocolate banana strawberry cereal, it was so good. After breakfast we got ready for school the usual routine of brushing my teeth washing my face. At the school we had a normal few classes except we had to present today! I was super nervous even though I practice my slides with my host family and in class the same day. My host family said I was going to be fine and I was understandable and clear. It was soon my team's turn to present we were all super nervous, but we did well in my opinion. The one thing I regret about that presentation was the amount that I stuttered, although this is nothing new because if it was in English I would have stuttered anyway. After all of that was over we got picked up by your host dunes and return to class ( At this point I might have fallen asleep so I don't remember much). Skip to the last period of the day I went back to the meeting Room because today was cleaning day so I waited for Kanon until about 6:30 because on top of cleaning she also had to tutor someone after school.

Today was the day that I visit the onsen again with Asia and her mom and sister, it was girls night out!! Before we got in the bath we had dinner, I wasn't that hungry but I had Katsudon~!The food I will miss eating the most is Katsudon :'). The Katsudon here wasn't as good as the first one I had back in Tokyo. After dinner we all headed to the bath, there was the option of an outside bath and an inside bath, of course, I chose the one outside. The outside bath reminded me of Aomoriya and Oirase, I want to go back there one day but now I'm here with my host family and I prefer them over that. After the bath we bought ice cream and relax in the main area, at this point Asia was getting a little /a lot loopy. So loopy in fact that when she tried to put her shoes on in the genkan (main entrance) she fell over. We said our goodbyes and drove off, at home a got into bed and get ready for tomorrow.

Day 3

Today has been the day I can waiting for... Art day! We get 3 periods of art and it made me really happy, I haven't been drawing in class because I thought that it was rude, now I'm in my element. For the first 48 minutes, we had a teacher play the guitar which is nice but he messed up quite a bit. Then we had some free time, I drew some stuff I was unhappy with but it was relaxing. During this time a lot of the girls exchanged lines and Instagrams with me along with some other other trippers. After the class was over we all headed over to the gym for a jump rope contest. I was excited but also scared, they were jumping through the rope the sideways I have never done that before and never planned on it until today. After attempting to jump through the rope sideways alone we had to get into partners and jump through the ropes sideways which is a slight improvement and it almost worked but in the end I don't think I did it right even with a partner. After all that excitement was done it was time to jump as a whole group of about 20 to 30 students. Let's just say I got my cardio and legs in for the day, I know I'm gonna be sore after this.

After school I waited for Kanon because she had class rep duties. She came to get me at 6:00 but her mom wasn't here yet and it would take her about 30 minutes to get here. So we waited with her friend Karen who was kind enough to buy us some corn soup from the vending machine. Now I know how it sounds but corn soup is not bad it's really good, sweet corn cream soup. After we finished the soup, about to 10 minutes later Kanon's mom arrived and she gave Karen a ride to the station and we said goodbye. Tonight was takoyaki night or as dad called it "Takoyaki party!". This was my first time eating takoyaki and okonomiyaki it was really good.

Also, mom made pizza dumplings. After dinner we brought down some food for the grandma and auntie, they live in a separate part of the house. The grandma was super kind and the auntie was really pretty, we all took a selfie then me and Kanon went back upstairs to get ready for tomorrow.

Takoyaki ( taco-ya-key); rolled battered octopus balls

Okonomiyaki (o-co-no-me-ya-key); a savory pancake-like food made with tempura bits, lettuce, bacon or shrimp topped with sauce, mayo, and Bonito flakes.

Day 4

Sadly the week is almost over and thinking about leaving makes me sad. It's known a lot last night so today was colder than the last. Although it was cold and the right to school was like a movie scene it was beautiful and I'm gonna miss it. We got to school and I was dropped off in the meeting room with the others, honestly, it feels like a daycare sometimes. The reason why we get left here is that the students have to take a quiz on one subject every morning. After they are done they come pick us up and we spend the day together. Today we had to watch more presentations by the students for about an hour and then we had lunch. Mom packed some chicken cutlets and rice balls. After lunch, we headed to the auditorium that was detached from the school it was more like a theater. We stayed here for the rest of the day and we had to watch a lady give a presentation that felt like it was 2 hours long it, felt like she talked forever and she had the whole auditorium sleeping. After she was done talking everything was fine because it was time for the students to give their presentations which were more intriguing and fun.

After that it was time to go home tonight with sushi night with Misha and for their host student. Kanon and I got home and rested a bit, but then Kanon's other grandma comes to pay a visit. She is a really nice farmer who brought over some traditional Uonuma/Niigata food like steamed rice in bamboo leaves, konnyaku, and mochi. After she left mom came upstairs and suggested that me and her go to Daiso, I love Daiso so I said yes! I bought a ton of snacks and stationary stuff for me and my friends. When we got back it was time for sushi so we rushed out the door and drove off. Mom left us there with misha and their student and we walked into those who she restaurant called Kappa-sushi. We sat down and began to order sushi which was super delicious, we ordered boba and finished of the night with dessert recommended by our host sisters.

Day 5

Today is my last day at KJ, I'm sad to leave everyone here but I've got people waiting for me at home. Today for breakfast we have the steamed rice wrapped in bamboo leaves that the grandma had left us yesterday, with roasted soybeans powder on top. Tonight we are going to have a gyoza party for my last meal. The drive to school was sad but memorable, the white snow glistened from the suns rays some what blinding me. For some reason this car ride felt longer than the first ride to school. We get to the school and I'm dropped off at the meet room again, this time there was a girl who came to interview us for her project. She looked very nervous, especially because more than half of us are taller than her and were standing in a circle around her. After she was done it was time to go to class, one Kanons friend gave me a little charm that is the "unofficial" mascot of Uonuma city. I was so happy. After lunch we had to take a photo with all of the trippers and their host siblings… outside. For about ten minutes we stood outside trying to take a few pictures, I was cold and my ankles were dead because I was in the front and I had to squat down. We went inside and returned to class my favorite class on the last day was English, we got to speak in English with the students, I was pared with two boys who were really nice and funny, I wish I could have gotten their line but phones aren't allowed in class at any point. After that class, the trippers and students all gathered in the meeting room and had a party!! It was really fun exchanging lines and Instagram with people, we all took a ton of pictures and had a crazy time.

After all the fun was over it was time to go home Mom was already there and ready to go because it was time for my 2nd party of the day… the gyoza party!! We got home and a person I had never seen before showed up, it was the older brother, Hiroto, and his girlfriend, Kaho. I meet her last night at Daiso and mom invited her over. We exchange hellos and talked about stuff until it was gyoza making time, it was my first time making gyoza and I was excited. First mom showed me how to do it and then I was off I was making gyoza left and right even though they did look kind of wonky but I did my best. Hiroto and Kaho were also making gyoza as well, Takuya, the second oldest, was making yakisoba for the first time to the family was nervous (lol), but it turned out delicious. The gyoza also turned out good I would say I did a good job, i mean it didn't fall apart when we cooked it. There is a lot to eat tonight and I wanted to try everything it was all very delicious, for dessert Hiroto and Kaho brought over cannolis. Hiroto, Kaho, and I talked about anime for a long time, like what was our first anime and what is our favorites one, we all agreed that Demon Slayer was the best. Hiroto left for a short while and Mom brought out gifts for me, I was surprised and thanked them a lot, shortly after Hiroto came back and gave me Demon Slayer plushies of Tanjirou and Zenitsu my favorite characters!!! He went all the way to his house to get them for me, I was so close to crying but I held it in. I thanked him and Kaho and we talked some for about anime then they left and everyone got ready for bed. Tomorrow is my last day with my host family I'm going to miss them and I hope they miss me.

P.s: Dad said " I'm your Japanese dad and she is your Mom now"

Hiroto said " I'm your anime loving brother"

So technically Kaho is my anime loving in law (I hope lol)

Also Kanon told me that Kaho cried over me leaving (T^T)

Day 6

Today is the last day I get to spend with my host family. It was relaxing for the first half of the day because we got to sleep in until around 8, then ate breakfast. We had grandmas steamed rice again, I was a little sad that I couldn't bring some with me. My host family wanted to make sure that I did everything I wanted to do, one thing that I couldn't do was eat a bowl of ramen. So for lunch we walked over to the 7/11, grabbed some delicious looking instant ramen, a pizza bun and some deserts and went home. I ate the ramen happily and watched T.V with Kanon until it was time to go. The ride to the station was bitter sweet I didn't want to leave my family but I wanted to see my family back home. When I got in to the station I saw the other Trippers, I walked up to Alex and hug him tightly I could tell he was about to cry, then I went up to Aurora and hugged her tightly too it was a very emotional day. After the hugging was done it was picture time so we all lined up, KJ on one side us on the other. Both sides gave a little speech about the trip and then we all took a huge picture. Sadly it was time to leave which was the hardest part of day the moment I crossed the gate there was no going back I waved good by to them for as long as a could. We get on the train platform and Asia, Alex, and my family along with two others followed us up to the platform, I almost lost it at that point but I didn't want to cause a scene. I hug my host mom for the last time then the Bullet Train arrived and we had to go, I was crying like a child but so were a lot of people. Waved goodbye to them while the train was moving, they started to run after the train, making me want to cry more (lol). Now we are gone and getting father away from our host family the tears have stopped and only the memories, experience and gifts remain. I will never forget what this trip has taught me it will stick with me for as long as I live.