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

Nagoya castle

JASON COLEY - 8/6/10
that morning it was the last time we would be in the Tokyo international hostel. we were leaving for Nagoya. we travelled to Nagoya via bullet train and had eaten obento on the way. Obento is really delicious and travelling by bullet train is fun. We arrived in Nagoya by bus from the station. when we got inside the owner showed us our rooms and we put our luggage in the cupboard. we put our sneakers on and walked to Nagoya castle with two special guest. we arrived at the park and saw a statue of a samurai which was very cool. i took lots of it. we walked for a bit more and arrived at the entrance to the Nagoya Castle. Around the castle the is a dried up moat and there were a few deers grazing. it felt really calm and relaxing just watching them. we did not have a lot of time looking around so we had to run up the stairs. Jade and me ran up the stairs; probably four stories. we stopped in front of the elevator and saw the rest of the group come out of it. that was funny. We had to take quick pictures because it was almost closing time. The castle was very big and it felt very historic and ancient. on all the levels it had lots of information and on the top level it had a gift shop. it was very hot at the top. it felt very awesome just to look at it let alone be able to go inside it.

sayonara
JASON COLEY

Yummy foods

Janice Chin

We have talked about many things on this blog. But what we haven't talked about is FOOD!! The shop assistants and waitors are very polite and they make us feel very welcome. Unfortunetly, the size of the resturant are quite small.

There is one thing that you have to try in Japan and they are sashimi and sushi. They taste very fresh and yummy!

One thing I have never tried before was eel. I was amazed at how nice the eel tasted. The eel went very well with the sweet sauce and rice.

The noodles you have to try are udon and soba. Udon is a type of thick wheat-flour noodle which is popular in the Japanese cuisine. Soba is a type of thin Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour. Both are very yummy!

Katsudon is very popular in Japan because of its taste. Katsudon consits of deep fried pork, cutlet, egg and condiments on top of a bowl of rice.

Curry rice is served with vegetables and meat. Curry rice is also very popular in Japan. The curry is served with rice and that makes the whole meal taste even better.

It seems every where we go we an buy meals and snacks very easily. The presentation is superb, the flavours are incredible and the waiters and assistants make us feel welcome and imnportant.

Eel

Rachel Golding
On the second day of our stay in Japan some of us had the opportunity to try eel. Yes Eel!!! This was a great chance for us to try one of Japanese dishes. At first we were hesitant about trying eel because it was such an unusual food, though we all enjoyed it. It was an awesome experience because we got a taste of Japanese culture. I would love to have eel again in the near future. I also hope that now i will have the courage to try the other Japanese dishes and I will be able to give myself a go at other things without being so jude mental before hand.

Showa Senior High School in Nagoya

Yesterday we visited the Showa Senior High School in Nagoya. This was our first school visit. We were split into four groups and experienced being in an actual Japanese class. The maths class was really hard, but the sports class was pretty fun!
We all went to a home room for another chance to introduce ourselves using the scrap books we made. That went really well. Lots of laughing and heaps of questions from Showa students. Then MORE group photos! We made lots of new friends.
Before we left we had a chance to see students practising kendo, and they even let us hit them with their wooden swords!
It was another great day.
Annie & Max Mayes

Tokyo Disneyland

This is Kirsty McRobert updating you from Japan!!!
The first day was amazing because we went to Tokyo Disneyland, however I was lucky to go even though I was sick. The group amazed me because every time we had to stop for me not one person complained. What also amazed me was how everyone willed for me to get better and after an icypole at Disneyland I was able to recover. We went on many rides and met many different people. We got our photo taken with some Japanese students and got interviewed by a group of school kids who studied English. We have many photos and memories from Disneyland that we will keep forever and also lots of souvenirs for our friends and family. Disneyland really is a place where dreams come true and we would all be willing to go again sometime. Going to Disneyland was one of the biggest events in my life and it makes me smile to remember the great times at Disneyland.

bullet train

My very first time on the bullet train was from Tokyo to Nikko! I imagine the bullet train's speed to feel more like the speed of a race-car. However, it felt more like a plane! Although, the bullet train was going about 300 km/hr. It didn't feel very fast, it felt more like a normal train! I would consider using a bullet train to travel to places, far far away. Instead of using a plane or car because it is quick, easy and VERY comfortable

Nikko, shrines and temples

Tash Gagnon-4 June

We went to a beautiful place called Nikko. As we walked up the long path up to the gate I didnt know what to think. I just thought the shrines and temples would be old looking, dark and dull. Now I know how wrong I could be in some of my judgement about things. I really must try things out before I decide on how I would feel. I was very impressed as soon as I saw Toshogu Shrine at first sight. It was like a dream because I never knew I would see something so wonderful and special. I was amazed by the creative Japanese designs . I really felt like I was special when I purified myself by rinsing my mouth and cleaning my hands with the spring water in front of the shrine. This is an old Japanese tradition of making our bodies pure. I felt very happy because drinking this magic water was a new experience to me.

I think I am very lucky to be in a different country where I can learn new things and become a better person in many ways. I feel that I am becoming more trustworthy by not being late for meeting, place and time. I really enjoyed Nikko as it was so fascinating. The shrines and temples had beautiful colours and I cant believe how much of a good job the Japanese people have completed in restoring this historical treasure.

I now realise how loved I am to have such caring and loving parents to let me join in this trip, or I wouldnt have seen this remarkable place in Nikko. I love trying new things and I was very appreciative of being able to pray and do things the Japanese way. It wouldnt have been the same if I didnt have my kind and amazing friends to share this amazing day with. I feel that the group and I are very lucky to have Mrs Mayes and Max take us on this once in a life time experience. They went out of their way for us, I never knew I would be one of those chosen. I will never forget this wonderful Japan trip.

Kimono girls in Kyoto

Caitlin - 7 June
When we arrived in Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto we saw some girls in traditional kimono and they looked very pretty and elegant. I cant believe how white their faces looked though! They must have put on layers of white powder on their faces and their necks.
I like the way they were standing in a neat and tidy manner. They looked so disciplined!
I feel thrilled to have witnessed such beauty first hand.These kimono girls add to the beauty of Jaapn I think.

Udon yum yum

If there is one thing one should try in Japan, it`s udon. Udon is a type of noodle cooked in clear soup. I really enjoy the authentic Japanese udon this trip. Highly recommended.

Chinyo

Kyoto ― Golden Pavillion

Jade Crow 8/6/10

The Kyoto Golden Pavillion is one of the most spectacular and beautiful places I've ever been to in my life. It was surprising to find out that everything in the garden and around the temple was placed perfectly to tell a story, so nothing is wild; everything is groomed to perfection, looking natural. It felt so peaceful walking through the nature surounding the temple. I could tell the temple was well respected as there were Buddha statues on the soil with loads of donations surounding them. I learnt that you have to look at things more than once, in different ways, so you can truly understand them and I also learnt that the fist Golden Pavillion; that was made of real gold, was burned down and then rebuilt with not real gold but gold coloured paint! This is what you see these days at Kyoto. I will nevver forget the beauty I saw in Kyoto.

Bullet train and Stations

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 railwayns 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.

Disneyland

Disneyland was awesome i hope you like the photos

From Chinyo Tee

Leeming Japan Trip

Disneyland photos
yukata photos

Mrs Mayes

What A Trip

What a trip it has been! Words can hardly describe what fun we have had, despite some challenges. Will post more news soon after trying to upload some pictures.

Chinyo