Week 1 of School

 Friday, August 24

Stepping in front of 560 students and 45 staff members, I felt excitement wash over me, and it was not just the sweat dripping down my back because of the 90-degree heat and 97% humidity. I was happy to return to Japan, even if it meant I had to stand on a stage on the first day of school and make a presentation in Japanese.  As the new Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), my job for the next year is to bring spoken English to life for these eager students, inspiring them to dive into their English studies with enthusiasm.

As the students filtered out of the gymnasium, I greeted them with enthusiastic “Good morning!” “Hello!” and playful high-fives and fist bumps. The hallways buzzed with a chorus of “Hello!” every time I stepped out, and it’s been a delightful echo in my daily life—whether at the grocery store, on my walk to school, at a local restaurant, or even in the restroom! Misato, a charming small town, has a wonderfully close-knit community. My ALT position is at two of the largest schools among the six in town, and it’s a tight-knit network where I often cross paths with students and their families. The parents of two of my students work for the Misato Board of Education, and the principal from one of my schools has a child at my other school. The town librarian’s daughter is one of my students, and even the person from the internet store has a child in my class—talk about a connected community!

My apartment is marked with a red X, and my school is marked with a yellow star.  

For the next 5 days in Elementary or Middle school, I would stand up in front of the class and share pictures of my home, family, school, and travels. I gave the students something to talk to me about and tried to get to know them by embedding questions about their favorite foods, sports, movies, and books.  

English education in Japan is now all about honing basic conversation skills, which is why the Japanese government invites English speakers from around the globe to enrich their schools. It’s a fantastic opportunity to participate in this cultural and educational exchange that could positively impact the student's learning journey. 

Lunch in a Japanese school is very different from American school lunches in that students serve the food and clean up in their classrooms. Lunchtime is considered part of the curriculum, and students are taught how to serve and clean up. If there is any extra food or drink, the teacher asks the students who would like more.  All additional food is given away, and throwing away food is discouraged.  Here are a couple of the lunches I have been served so far.  

My Morning Walks Through the Japanese Countryside

 August 17, 2024

For the past few days, I have been getting up to walk around my new city. I do this for a couple of different reasons: first, I need exercise; second, I have always loved the morning sun; and third, it is a great way to discover new things.  The first day out for a walk I left my house at 7:00 a.m. - wow, that was way to late because the strength of the sun and the humidity cut my walk shorter than I wanted it to be.  So, day two, I left the house at 6:00 a.m.,  again a walk for me is about 45 minutes to an hour.  By the time I was home my cloths were stuck to my skin.  The local librarian told me she gets up at 5:00 because it is still cool, so that is what I tried, it was the perfect time of day.  You see the sun rises in Misato city around 4:30 a.m. and the temperature begins to climb between 7 and 8 a.m.  

I just wanted to share some of the beautiful landscape pictures I have taken in the morning as well as some of the new creatures I have seen.  

A walk on the river path.  A path along the river must start in another city because I have been walking between 23 km and 26 km markers.  

This path is used by bikers, joggers, and walkers.  

Wagyu cattle are raised in ventilated barns, not in open fields like in America. On my morning walks, I see the farmer and his wife out in their garden doing their chores. 

I’ve observed an interesting trend in the rice fields around my area: they’ve all been planted at different times, even within the same farm. For instance, the field above still has a couple of months before harvest, with the rice looking lush and green. Meanwhile, the field below is beginning to show signs of its impending harvest as the rice heads grow heavy, though they haven’t turned golden just yet. It looks like this field still has about a month to go. It’s fascinating to see the varying stages of growth and the careful timing involved in rice farming.

On a drive just a short distance from my home, I caught sight of fields on the verge of harvest. Although I didn’t stop to snap a photo because I was on the move, I observed an interesting detail: the fields were adorned with metallic streamers and hawk-shaped wind socks. These clever deterrents are designed to keep birds away from crops. I will definitely take a picture the next time I see this. 

This is a picture of the preschool and my apartment complex. I will visit this school as part of my assignment here in Misato.  

Next, I will share a few of the critters I have spotted. First, when I got home, I looked up a big yellow and black spider to find out its name. It is a Joro Spider, which I learned can bite humans. 

 

I found this little guy just after a night of rain. 

I still don't know what this bird is, but it is nesting in the shrubs along the side of the path.  

I am not sure if this is the same type of bird I came across earlier in my walk, but that one was a big, fatter bird that acted like a grouse or pheasant.  

As I strolled along the river this morning, I encountered a flock of Great Egrets nestled in the trees. These majestic birds, usually seen individually in the rice fields around my area, gather in these trees by the river at night, creating a serene and captivating scene.

Yesterday’s walk brought another intriguing encounter. I spotted what appeared to be a mother and a smaller young weasel—darting through the underbrush. Unfortunately, my attempt at a photo didn’t turn out, but the brief sighting added a touch of excitement to my morning routine. As soon as I got back home, I did a quick search online for weasels and ferrets. 

These daily walks along the river are a delightful way to begin each day, offering a chance to connect with the natural world in all its beauty and unpredictability.

Exploring a Local Farm-to-Table Dining Experience

**Thursday, August 15, 2024**

Today’s lunch was a delightful journey into the heart of Misato’s local cuisine. Nestled just a short 10-minute drive from my home, Nono Kaze is a charming eatery that opens exclusively for lunch, offering a rotating menu of traditional seasonal dishes, making each visit a unique experience. Itadakimasu is the Japanese phrase you say before eating a meal.  

Our meal began with a refreshing start: a cup of chilled wheatberry tea paired with a dainty glass of freshly squeezed apricot juice, served with a single ice cube for that perfect chill. Following this were an array of beautifully presented dishes.

Starting from the top right of the tray featured a succulent red snapper, glazed in a sauce that nicely balanced sweet and savory. Accompanying this was a delicate walnut tofu draped in a clear, savory sauce with a hint of grated ginger, which I found myself eating slowly throughout the meal. Next was a classic tempura selection, showcasing crisp,  eggplant,  green peppers, and sweet potatoes. 

In the middle row of the tray starting on the left, there was also a small bowl of pickled cauliflower and pickled ginger, adding a tangy contrast, alongside another dish of pickled cabbage and spinach topped with tiny, savory Shirasu fish. The centerpiece of the tray was an exquisite edamame tofu.

Shirasu - small white fish

Looking at the bottom right I was served a mix of tender cooked vegetables and Ganmodoki –  tofu fritters filled with a medley of vegetables. A touch of salt enhanced the natural flavors of each item. The long serving plate showcased eggplant sprinkled with sesame seeds, a couple of lightly salted edamame pods, and a small piece of cherry jelly, which to us Americans would be called Jello. Completing the assortment were savory pickled eggplant slices.

To round off this culinary experience, the server presented three additional dishes. The radish soup, featuring a glutinous rice paddy (a rice cake with a delightful, chewy texture). A crisp salad of fresh greens, okra, and sliced ham, drizzled with sesame dressing. Finally, a bowl of incredibly flavorful rice, seasoned with fresh ginger and green onions. This dish was so exceptional that I’m already planning to recreate it at home.

Today’s lunch was a tasty way to explore Misato’s seasonal flavors and a reminder of the simple joys found in local, traditional cuisine.  Gochisosamadeshita!

Figuring things out!

The Little Things We Often Take for Granted: A Week of Adjustments and New Beginnings

My week has been a whirlwind of administrative tasks and new experiences, each highlighting how much we take everyday conveniences for granted.

Banking Woes and Wonders

My week began with multiple trips to the bank, an eye-opener regarding how different things can be. Setting up my account involved writing my address in Kanji—three times in a space so tiny it felt like a test of patience and precision. The process wasn’t straightforward either; names here are written in the order of surname, given name, and middle name, which was a challenge for me. I even managed to mess up the form once, leading to a rather humbling experience of asking for a new one. The Japanese bank employees were incredibly patient, but I still felt a pang of guilt every time I had to request another form. 😔

The Internet Saga

The next day, I tackled setting up the internet with the help of our JET Coordinator. The process took about an hour, and I’m eagerly awaiting the technician's visit in about eight days to get everything fully hooked up. In the meantime, I am walking upstairs to use my colleague's internet every day. Finally, I had to switch my SIM card since the one I got in Tokyo wasn’t working well. On the bright side, I now have a new Japanese phone number that’s easy to remember!

Car Chronicles

After sorting out the internet, I picked up my car. I knew it would be small and basic, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it’s an automatic with air conditioning and runs smoothly. While it's definitely more compact than American cars, it will be perfect for errands and weekend adventures around Japan. The car will be handy for my daily commute, though I’ll mostly walk. Fudodo Middle School is just a 5-minute stroll away, and Fudodo Elementary is a mere 11 minutes on foot.  My car is on the right.  

Welcome to my latest adventure, where driving in Japan has become my new brain teaser! Imagine this: you’re used to driving on the right side of the road, only to find out that you’re suddenly on the left here. The seat belt crosses right to left, the blinkers are on the right, and the windshield wipers are on the left. Yep, I managed to turn on the wipers at least three times on my first day. If you see someone driving around with a windshield perpetually smeared, that’s probably me! 

On the plus side, driving through the Japanese countryside is like a relaxing Sunday drive, but every day. People are courteous, traffic is light, and everyone seems to follow the rules—no honking or road rage here. Of course, there are challenges galore: remembering which direction to pull out can feel like a puzzle, the roads are narrow enough to make you question if your car is on a diet, and reading signs in a language I’m still mastering adds an extra layer of fun. And let’s not forget, I’m now speeding (or rather, not speeding) in kilometers per hour. So far, it’s been a wild ride, and I love every twist and turn—even if it means occasionally swiping my windshield clean when I meant to signal a turn!

School Schedule Insights

Now, let’s talk about my school schedule. I’ve got an *A* day and *B* day system, with *B* days being slightly modified for events, which means shorter classes. Here’s a look at my schedule:

I can already tell it will be a busy year, balancing my time between middle and elementary school. It’s a lot to manage, but I’m excited about the challenge and the experiences ahead!

 

Evacuation notice!

Just when I thought my Japanese adventure couldn’t be more eventful, Mother Nature decided to throw in her own surprise! This past weekend, Typhoon Number 4 decided Miyagi Prefecture was its next destination. By Friday night, the weather had become the hot topic of every conversation—mainly because we were getting hourly updates from our weather app and Safety Japan App, each accompanied by an alarm loud enough to wake the dead.  

                

Saturday afternoon brought a delightful evaluation notice over the town’s public broadcasting speakers, specifically aimed at the elderly and those in need. Nothing says “welcome to Japan,” like a town-wide announcement reminding everyone to prepare for a typhoon. 

But here's the silver lining: the typhoon decided to change its plans and veered north, so instead of a full-blown weather apocalypse, we only got a nice, refreshing downpour and a bit of blustery wind. So, no need for an ark just yet—just a friendly reminder that in Japan, even the weather knows how to make an entrance!

As I navigate these new systems and schedules, I’m reminded of the little things we often take for granted. From simple tasks like banking and setting up utilities to adapting to a new car and school schedule, it’s all part of the adventure. Here’s to embracing the learning curve and making the most of every moment!

Discovering Misato: My Hometown in Japan

My New Home, Misato

On the same day we traveled from Tokyo to Sendai, we continued our journey by car to our new home in Misato. This quaint town is renowned for its rice and soybean cultivation, with the pink rose as its city flower and the dogwood tree—just like in Virginia—as its city tree. As we drove from Sendai to Misato, it quickly became apparent that we were leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the big city and entering the serene countryside. The roads narrowed, and the landscape was soon filled with sprawling rice fields and picturesque country farms. The map of Misato reveals that it is nestled among mountains, some looming close and others gently fading into the distance.

Misato Town Hall

The first thing we needed to do when we arrived in Misato was to finalize the lease for my new apartment and pick up the keys. So we headed to Misato Town Hall. The office staff greeted us with warm smiles and polite bows. A few of them even bravely attempted to speak in English. We were each given a Hanko, a traditional stamp used for signing official documents. Any errors I made while writing my address in Japanese—four mistakes in total—had to be marked with this stamp. 

My apartment building

Next, it was time for the in-person visit to the apartment. While my predecessor had provided a virtual tour via Zoom, nothing compares to seeing the space firsthand. My apartment is located on the 2nd floor, and my parking space is conveniently situated next to the fence, not far from the entrance. Although I have a car for traveling to the Board of Education and to community events, I will most likely walk to my schools, which are just a 5 and 12-minute walk away.

Interestingly, there are two other Americans living in the building. One is directly below me and hails from Florida, while the other is on the 3rd floor and comes from Haymarket, Virginia. I’ve shared pictures of my apartment’s interior in a previous post. The neighborhood is remarkably quiet, though I've had to adapt to the daily musical announcements at 7:00 am, noon, and 5:00 pm. Notice the size of the cars in the parking lot. That is what I will be driving soon.

 

 

Arriving in Japan

Finding Home: Embracing Life in Rural Japan

Week 1 - Monday through Wednesday

This blog is best viewed on a PC or a tablet until I learn how to post so you can view it on a cellphone. My apologizes.

The first week in Japan as part of the JET Programme is filled with orientations, meet and greets, and many unknowns. I landed in Japan on August 4, 2024, after a 20-hour journey from Washington, DC. What should have been a straightforward 14-hour flight turned into an odyssey due to weather-related rerouting, a refueling stop, and a crew change. My adventure started with more excitement than anticipated and a lot less sleep.  As we pulled up to the beautiful Keio Plaza Hotel in the heart of Shinjuku, I longed to fall asleep in a comfy bed.

After a few hours of horizontal sleep, it was off to breakfast and day one of orientation. Little did I realize when I got to the hotel at 111:00 that more than 900 JET participants were going through orientation. Wow, I was so surprised that there were so many. All of us were decked out in our blue or black suits and excited to learn about what was to come.   We spent the day learning about the expectations of a JET and our role as an ALT.  

 

Tuesday mirrored the previous day but with a deeper dive into teaching English as a second language. We tackled everything from conversation and grammar to comprehension. In the afternoon, we met with a Japanese travel agency rep to finalize the departure details for our new home city. Another ALT from Misato and I decided to have ramen for dinner. We picked Ichiran Ramen Restaurant in Shinjuku. We managed to order using the vending machine with English subtitles.

I had a fantastic bowl of salty ramen with tender pork—absolutely delicious! The shop has English translation tools on the back of each tag. The menu is in Japanese and English, making it easy to navigate. Though the restaurant is cozy, seating just 16 people, it provides a comfortable and private dining experience for each guest.

The one thing I love about being in Japan is all the meticulous planning that goes into each day. For anyone who worries about missing a train or bus, the Japanese Travel Adjency has everything planned perfectly. Our departure day was no exception. We had breakfast at 6:00, met at 6:30, and took the shuttle bus to Tokyo Station at 7:00, and the Shinkansen departed at 9:30.

There were three other cities or prefectures traveling together. Some left as early as 8:15, but our train departure was the last, so we could stroll around, grab snacks and drinks from the convenience store, and try to escape the sweltering heat and humidity, which only happened once we boarded the train.  

Around 9:30, we were lined up on the platform, ready to board our train. The heat and humidity had me sweating buckets, but the friendly faces from the Sendai office waiting at the station were a welcome relief. After a short walk to the government center and a quick lunch, we dove into the Miyagi Prefecture orientation. 

By mid-afternoon, our Misato Board of Education staff arrived to pick us up, and we were finally on our way to the next chapter of our adventure. We stopped at the government office, signed our lease, picked up our keys, and headed to see our new apartments.