Greetings from Japan!
Can't believe I've been in Japan for almost three weeks already. o.o Apologies for no updates, it's been a crazy trip thus far. I've settled into research at the Historiography Institute at the University of Tokyo, and have found some interesting things that should prove a huge boost to my research. I've been having a lot of fun too; visiting with friends, running around Tokyo, eating copious amounts of melon pan... I've posted a couple albums of photos on facebook; be sure to check them out if you haven't already.
Instead of doing a play-by-play of my adventure this time, here's some of the major differences between this trip and living in Japan two years ago:
Tokyo vs. Yokohama: I'll always love Yokohama, but man, I love living in Tokyo. First off: TREES. Yokohama had a lack of green things that really bummed me out. (Hence why so many my pictures from Kyoto ended up being of vegetation.) There are so many trees here, it makes me so happy. Second: the trains. Yokohama is pretty good with the trains, but I love the train system in Tokyo. It's just so easy to get everywhere. I live within easy walking distance of 4 different stations, which gives me easy access to the rest of Tokyo. Finally, the fact that I am living WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF OTOME ROAD. I love walking around Ikebukuro; I don't need to buy anything, I'm find with window shopping. It's hard to justify a window shopping trip when it means an hour commute from Yokohama and plenty of train fare, but being able to walk there and only paying for a drink or something is much better.
Independence: I'm really glad that I went to IUC when I first came to Japan since they helped streamline the entire process of living here. They helped me set up an apartment, gave me a daily schedule in terms of school, and assisted in most things that I needed. Here, I have my association with Todai, but aside from that it's all on my own. Finding a room, going about, even my research schedule. I love it.
Less Awful at Japanese: I remember first moving to Japan in 2010 and just being overwhelmed by the language. This time? Well, I still have those "oh god I don't understand why can't I communicate" moments, but they're very infrequent, and mainly involving highly academic Japanese. Day to day? No problem! Yesterday I had to get my necklace fixed, and had no problem explaining what happened to the lady at the jewelry repair counter, and then we proceeded to have a very nice conversation about learning languages, traveling, and the earthquake. I still feel inadequate with my language level, but dang, I'm so much better than I was before.
Earthquakes: I wasn't sure if there would still be a lot of aftershocks, but they do seem to finally be done. There's only been one biggish quake since I got here, but the rest are tiny ones you don't notice. (There was another biggish one the other day apparently, but I was outside and didn't feel it.) This doesn't mean there won't be more while I'm here, but it's nice knowing the room isn't going to be shaking every fifteen minutes.
Social Butterfly: Honestly I hid in my apartment a lot last time I lived here. (This got better as the year went on and I made more friends, but at the beginning, not so much.) This time I already have several friends who live in Japan that I've met up with, and my weekends have been super busy. Yes, the main reason I'm here is for research, but looking at my pics thus far it certainly doesn't seem like it!
Less general update later. Super tired from researching today, though part of that is probably from the rainy weather. Bleh.
Instead of doing a play-by-play of my adventure this time, here's some of the major differences between this trip and living in Japan two years ago:
Tokyo vs. Yokohama: I'll always love Yokohama, but man, I love living in Tokyo. First off: TREES. Yokohama had a lack of green things that really bummed me out. (Hence why so many my pictures from Kyoto ended up being of vegetation.) There are so many trees here, it makes me so happy. Second: the trains. Yokohama is pretty good with the trains, but I love the train system in Tokyo. It's just so easy to get everywhere. I live within easy walking distance of 4 different stations, which gives me easy access to the rest of Tokyo. Finally, the fact that I am living WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF OTOME ROAD. I love walking around Ikebukuro; I don't need to buy anything, I'm find with window shopping. It's hard to justify a window shopping trip when it means an hour commute from Yokohama and plenty of train fare, but being able to walk there and only paying for a drink or something is much better.
Independence: I'm really glad that I went to IUC when I first came to Japan since they helped streamline the entire process of living here. They helped me set up an apartment, gave me a daily schedule in terms of school, and assisted in most things that I needed. Here, I have my association with Todai, but aside from that it's all on my own. Finding a room, going about, even my research schedule. I love it.
Less Awful at Japanese: I remember first moving to Japan in 2010 and just being overwhelmed by the language. This time? Well, I still have those "oh god I don't understand why can't I communicate" moments, but they're very infrequent, and mainly involving highly academic Japanese. Day to day? No problem! Yesterday I had to get my necklace fixed, and had no problem explaining what happened to the lady at the jewelry repair counter, and then we proceeded to have a very nice conversation about learning languages, traveling, and the earthquake. I still feel inadequate with my language level, but dang, I'm so much better than I was before.
Earthquakes: I wasn't sure if there would still be a lot of aftershocks, but they do seem to finally be done. There's only been one biggish quake since I got here, but the rest are tiny ones you don't notice. (There was another biggish one the other day apparently, but I was outside and didn't feel it.) This doesn't mean there won't be more while I'm here, but it's nice knowing the room isn't going to be shaking every fifteen minutes.
Social Butterfly: Honestly I hid in my apartment a lot last time I lived here. (This got better as the year went on and I made more friends, but at the beginning, not so much.) This time I already have several friends who live in Japan that I've met up with, and my weekends have been super busy. Yes, the main reason I'm here is for research, but looking at my pics thus far it certainly doesn't seem like it!
Less general update later. Super tired from researching today, though part of that is probably from the rainy weather. Bleh.