Showa SHS in Nagoya

Daiki Suzuki 9/6/2010

When we went to Showa SHS in Nagoya, we exchanged our presents with the high school students. We gave them Tim Tam, pens, key rings and other things. When we gave them the presents, the students were surprised and they kept on saying `かわいい` which means cute. its was a great experience because we got to know how the schools in Japan work and we even got to experince kendo practice. Overall the exchange experience was wonderful and it will be remembered by all of us for a long time.

Daikis thoughts, June 9

This is Daiki Suzuki from the Japan Trip. During the stay in Tokyo and Nagoya we had to use trains or bullet trains to get to where we wanted to go. For that we had to go through the railway station. The railway station was our very first transport in Japan and we have used them ever since. The railway stations are different from Australia. You would have to buy a ticket and put it in a machine and get it back from other side. When going on the train, you would have to wait at a door opening sign on the station platform and wait for the train to come. You also would have to wait for the doors to open and for the passengers to get out and then you get in and have a seat. It is unique and different from Australia because there are so many railway stations everywhere and the passages are so long and feels like a maze. everyone was surprised that the sound of a train going past them would frighten them while waiting. There are so many people　catching the trains and we expreinced a few rush hours. The passengers have to squish to get on and it is very crowded therfore you can`t hold on to anything ,but the person in front of you. This experence has given me the idea of how the railways work and how trains are so important in everyday Japanese life.

Agatagaoka Senior High School, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture

Yesterday (Thursday) we took an early train from Nagoya to Matsumoto. This meant we all had to wake early (6.30) and we bought obento, sandwiches and other things to eat on the train for breakfast. The trip is 2 hours.
We were met at the Matsumoto train station ny Mr Tsukada, a former assistant language teacher at Leeming SHS (1999 ). We travelled to the school by car and taxis in a convoy.
We had a fantastic day joining with Japanese students in classroom activities and had lunch together with them in a beautiful park near the school. All around the city we could see high mountains. Some of them have now on their peaks!
As the day went on we seemed to get more and more Japanese friends - by the end of our time at the school it was hard to leave. We walked back to the station, but we were escorted all the way by a lot of Japanese students and had last farewells in front of the station.
Then we took the train back to Nagoya. It was dark when we got back to our ryokan after 8.30. A big day, but a very good one.

Electric Museum

Rachel Golding
Today we went to the Electricity Museum. I expected it to look a lot Scitech when it actually was about three times bigger and had way more interactive stations. The games, practical demonstration of the various sources of electricity and how we can use electricity to do all kinds of tasks/games were awesome.

This has been one of my favourite places we've been to in Japan because I liked all the games and the staff were nice enough to explain most of the things in English. My favourite part of the day was when some of the Leeming students were approached by a staff member who gave them an electric shock! Electric moment!!

Showa S.H.S

Amy Fisher
Today was one of the best experiences of a life time. I was so touched by how the Japanese people noticed little things like your eye colour and it amazed them. It was a weird feeling but even though they were complete strangers and I didn't know half of the things they were saying I felt really comfortable being around them that they almost felt like a second family to me.

When I showed them my scrapbook they couldn't stop saying how cute things were. I gave some of them gifts (a small key chain) and they wouldn't stop telling me arigato. I think the most popular words were kawai (cute) and arigato (thank you). I really enjoyed myself and hope they enjoyed having me as much as I enjoyed being there.

Ousu, Nagoya

With all "official" duties over, we relaxed with shopping and sightseeing in an an exciting part of Nagoya called Ousu.

We took the subway, just two stations, to Ousu and the first thing we saw was a temple complex called Ousu Kannon. Right there were dozens of pigeons which when offered seeds that are provided, flock all over you! Some of us had photos taken while covered in pigeons.
The shopping beyond the temple was INCREDIBLE. The girls especially thought they were in shopping heaven. Things in shops were so varied, interesting, and CHEAP. Anyway, so much was bought it is going to be a challenge to fit it all in our already swollen travel bags.
Speaking of which, tonight is the night we pack, because we leave the ryokan very early in the morning (6:20 a.m.) to catch a train to Chubu International Airport for our flight home. Yes, there is only a little time left in Japan. Everyone seems to have mixed feelings about leaving. It has been such a wonderful time, but it will be good to go home and share the experiences with family and friends.
Tonight we are going to have dinner at a nearby restaurant. Everyone wants to dress up to make it a special occasion.

Annie & Max Mayes

Harajkuku

We arrived in Harajuku from Asakusa in the afternoon. When we stepped out of the train station the girls were so amazed by how big the city was, designer brands all over too. For the boys it was a fantasy land because there were so many sports brand and men`s fashion. We had about an hour to look around and admire 'Harajuku`s' charm. There were so many people in a shop that you could just get lost even in the first floor. There were a lot of teenagers that were dressed from top to toe. We soon after that got worried because a group member had lost his bag. We went back to check the last few places he said he had his bag. We firstly went to the nike store and when we walked in a big smile was on the kids face because his bag was there on the counter as if someone had found it. This made us fell really great about finding it. We also worked well as a group to will him on to getting his bag back. We were getting ready to leave Harajuku until we had run into to two men that were from a channel 4 show. They gave us all an objects and told us to say to the camera what we thought it was. Everybody was really surprised and shocked at the same time. It was a great experience and definitely one never to forget.

By Alex and Sarah 9/6/2010