Report

Japan, a place full of colors， be it the people or the place．　A nation built upon a　sophisticated　and unique culture. As the airplane approaches Kansai international airport, my first worry was ’How on earth am I going to communicate with the Japanese with only a month of learning Japanese?`　As the Youth Exchange (YE) group exit the arrival terminal, lighting of flashes showｅｒｅｄ　us. Some of the host caｒｒｉｅｄ　ｓｉｇｎｓ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｎａｍｅｓ　ｏｆ　ＹＥ　ｗｒｉｔｔｅｎ　ｏｎ　ｉｔ．　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｐａｎｉｃ－ｓｔｒｉｃｋｅｎ　ｌｏｏｋｉｎｇ　ｆｏｒ　ｍｙ　ｎａｍｅ．

It was then, when a　man came forward and　ｐｕｌled my sleeve. Ｉ　knew, he is looking for me． That man was Mr. Mitsuma, The president of the Kohzu Lions Cｌｕｂ　of Osaka City. Thank God, he is able to converse well in English. Immediately he introduced me to both my host families．　

My first host, Mr. Horie and My second host, the Wakabayashi. Mr. Wakabayashi caｍe along with his wife, ａｓ　ｗｅｌｌ　ａｓ　ｈｉｓ　ｓｏn, Mamoru. I was so happy to have meｅｔ　ｔhem. The first Japanese word I spoke ｗａs `SAH･･･MUI･･･’meaning･･･ Cold.

Gosh, it was really cold. My whole body was shivering with my jaws chattering away. Fortunately､ in Mr. Horie‘ｓ　ｃａｒ，　everything was fine with the heater on. Upon ａｒｒｉｖａｌ　ａt Horie’s place, I was greeted by Mrs. Horie and the friendly neighbor Mr. Sugimoto.　
Having placed my luggage, I was taken to my first ｍｅａｌ　ｉｎ　Japan- Lunch. We had lunch at A nearby posh restaurant in Taisho　ａｒｅａ． Immediately as the ｆｏｏｄ　ｗｅｒｅ served，　ｔｈｏｕｇｈ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｍｙ　ｐｏｏｒ　ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ，　ｉ　ｗａｓ　ａｂｌe to communicate well through the food language, `Ooishi!` everyone laughed．　When asked is there anything I cannot take, I answered I can take and try anything. Mr. Mitsuma and Mr. Horie were so happy.

I was told that Osaka is Japan’s Food Haven. Almost anything in Japan can be found here at its freshest and best condition. The lunch was superb with Miｓｏ soup, soba in thick soup, ｓａｓｈｉｍｉ，　ｔｅｍｐｕｒａ　ａｎｄ　ｍｙ　ｆａｖｏｕｒｉｔｅ，　ｔｈｅ　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　Rice! Little ｄｏ　ｉ　ｋｎｏw that this is just the beginning, more delicious and tasty food were to come everyday!

After the lunch, I was orientated with Home rules, where to place my things, wｈｅｒｅ　ｔｏ　ｓｌeep, where to perform my daily rｏｕｔｉｎｅｓ and where not to enｔｅｒ　ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ　ｐｅｒｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ. I was warned about not allowｅｄ　ｔo exit the house without a guardian. Though these has ｂｅｅｎ　ｍｅｎｔｉｏｎｅｄ over and over while back in Malaysia, but there is no harm of being reminded on something with is important.

In order to smoothen　ｕｐ the communication with the Horie’s， I was given an illustrated conversation book. It was really handy. The book encompasses everything from A to Z. It surely helped me a lot in my communication with the Japanese.

The best is yet to come．　After a tiring flight and journey，　my day ends with another　surprise – the Hot　Tub bath (Ohuro).　Ｔｈｅ　ｓｕｐｒｉｓｉｎｇ　ｐａｒｔ　ｉｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｅｖｅｒｙｔｉｍｅ，　ａｆｔｅｒ one uses the tub， the water is not being released．　Ｔｈｅ　ｗａｔｅｒ　ｉｓ　ｒｅｔａｉｎｅｄ　ｆｏｒ the next member of　ｔｈｅ　ｆａｍｉｌｙ．　It is until the whole family has　taken　the bath that the water is being released. Of course, initially, one has to shower and cleanse oneself first before entering the hot tub．

Ｃｏｉｎｃｉｄｅｎｔｌｙ，　Ｍｒ　Ｈｏｒｉｅ　ｗａｓ　ｒｕｎｎｉｎｇ　ａｎ　ｅｌｅｃｔｉｏｎ　ｃａｍｐａｉｇｎ　．　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｆｏｒｔｕｎａｔｅ　ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ｉｎｔｒｏｄｕｃｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　Ｅｌｅｃｔｉｏｎ　ｓｙｓｔｅｍ．　Ｄｕｅ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｅｌｅｃｔｉｏｎ，　Ｍｒ　Ｈｏｒｉｅ　ｉｓ　ｕｓｕａｌｌｙ　ｂｕｓｙ．　Ｔｈｅｒｅｆｏｒｅ， most of the time I am with Mrs. Horie. Occasionally, Mr. Mitsuma drops by to visit and take me around. With Mr. Mitsuma I was brought to visit many places. Among them, The Kohzu Lions Club office in New Otani Hotel. I was amazed that Majority of the Lions Club in Japan has their own office. Back in Malaysia, Lions Club does not usually own any office.

On the same day, I was brought to visit the Osaka Castle. It was a magnificent and beautiful castle. Later on, Mr. Mitsuma even took the initiative to take me to visit Kyoto. In Kyoto, it was an eye-opening one. Compared to Osaka, Kyoto is completely different. Mainly divided by the Kamogawa River, the city has successfully retained its original historical buildings. While on the other side of the bank, the city continues to flourish with advancing technology and development. Kyoto is also well-known for the residency of many Geiko-san and Maiko-san. They are the Geishas of the Japanese professional traditional entertainers who are highly paid to sing, dance and serve their patrons.

Not long after my arrival in Japan, I was introduced to a special tradition of the Japanese called the “Bonenkai”. Bonenkai is the event where friends and relatives gather to feast to forget the sad and bad events during the year, hoping the coming year will be a better year.

Not only am I occupied with Bonenkai, I was also occupied with Christmas party. Among the highlight, the Kohzu Lions Club Christmas party. Right before the party, I was brought to Mr. Tanaka, a Lions Club Member’s, shop. In Mr. Tanaka’s shop, I was fortunate enough to see some Japanese traditional games, like Hinamatsuri, Kabuto and the Koinoburi, which are exclusively expensive and rare. These games are not easily found as they are seasonal, each at different season.

At the Kohzu Lions Club party, I got the opportunity to met almost all the Kohzu Lions Club Members. The party begun with the formality part. Like Most Lions Club in Malaysia, it involves the sounding of Gong, the protocol, the National Anthem, the Lions Songs and speeches. I was also invited to deliver a speech. Thanks to Mrs. Horie and Mr. Mitsuma, my Japanese speech went on well. Everyone understood what I said and after that, Mr. Mitsuma and I exchanged club banners and gifts and badges as a token of appreciation. The Kohzu Lions Club even gave me a Koinoburi, sponsored by Mr. Tanaka as souvenir from Japan!

The following day, I had to attend the International YE Camp in Kobe, Hyogo. In the Camp, all the Japan inbound YE’s gather together. I had the chance to meet YE’s from Australia, Croatia, Peru and of course Malaysia. During the camp, we were treated to a visit to Himeiji Castle, the Red-Cross blood donation centre and some shopping at Mosaic Shopping complex. After that, we were given the opportunity to experience the Luminous Kobe. Luminous Kobe is actually the name of the Yatch. While cruising along the riverside, with scenery of Kobe city night lighting, we were served dinner! It was superb.

After the ride, I was shocked to find that I had to share the bath with all the guys. As this is my first time to share the public bath. It is certainly an interesting experience which I will never forget.

The following day, after the breakfast, we were given the chance to attend a traditional Japanese flower arranging class - Ikebana. Simple it may sound; it is in fact quite difficult. It demands great artistic sense and some sequential arrangement. After that, we had a short farewell party where majority enjoyed the camped very much. Many thought that the camp was too short. Despite that, the camp has to end as host parents came to pick the YE’s up.

Back in Osaka, I was brought to BIC Camera, the Digital mall of Osaka city. Above the mall, there was also the famous \100 shop. There, everything can be found. After visiting the BIC Camera Mall, I was brought to visit the Americamura. Here, a replica of the exact Statue of Liberty could be found. On the same day, I was given the opportunity to try the Famous Osaka Food – Tako Yaki. Tako means Octopus. Tako Yaki is Octopus, being cut into small pieces, mixed with some flour batter and cooked into some round shape topped with some sauce, mayonnaise and some seaweed bits.

Following that, I had the opportunity to go and see the famous Bullet train – Shinkansen. It was certainly expensive to take a ride in the Shinkansen, but I was fortunate enough to have taken some pictures and walk around in the Shinkansen.

The day after that, I was brought to Kohzu Shrine to experience the traditional Mochizuki. Mochizuki is the process of beating the cooked Mochi rice into thick dough then shaped into various round shapes. These Mochi can be eaten plainly, added with red bean pastes, mashed radish with shoyu (Japanese Soy sauce), and barbequed or just with shoyu. It was certainly a very interesting experience.

On Christmas day, I had a shock of my life, where I thought Christmas is universally a holiday, but not in Japan. The Japanese work on Christmas day! On this day, Mr. Horie brought me to the Famous Kurumong Ichiba. Kurumong is Osaka city’s wet market. Here, all sorts of locally produced goods and vegetables could be found.

After that, I was brought to visit the Osaka Tower at Shinseki commercial Area. Osaka residents call the Osaka Tower; Tsutenkaku which literally means ‘The Sky pillar’. From the tower, the whole of Osaka City could be seen. It was a breath-taking moment.

The following day, I had the opportunity to visit Nara. Nara is basically a Park-City. The whole city is filled with park and Deer. I was fortunate to be given the chance to see the Great Buddha statue (Dai but tsu) located at Todaiji. Todaiji is one of the World Heritage site. As souvenirs, I was introduced to something I have always seen in Doraemon comics; the Dorayaki. Dorayaki in Nara is quite different as it is five times larger than normal Dorayaki. It is even given another name called the ‘Mikasa’.

Then after, Mrs. Horie and Keiko, Mr. & Mrs. Horie’s daughter brought me to the Kaiyukan. Kaiyukan is the underwater world of Osaka. It is located at Tempozan, nearby the Osaka port. Kaiyukan is home to various sea creatures from around the world.

Soon, I had to be transferred to the Wakabayashi’s. As a farewell dinner, I was treated to a dinner of Fugu Fish and Kani (Crab). There a saying that goes, “You haven’t really been to Japan if you haven’t taste the Fugu Fish” It is exclusively expensive and of course tasty.

At the Wakabayashi, I was fast to adapt as the home rules were the same, except I had to socialize with youths of the same age as me. However it was a no problem as the Wakabayashi treated me with care. Communication was not hard when we communicate with Heart.

The next day after transferring to the Wakabayashi, I was brought to visit the Universal Studios of Japan (USJ). USJ is ranked next to the Tokyo Disneyland. It was certainly a memorable experience with all the fabulous rides such as The Spiderman ride, E.T. ride and among the best, the Dream ride which is a rollercoaster. It was certainly adrenaline rush ride. Best ride I’ve had so far.

After a day at the USJ, I was brought to experience the Kaiten Sushi. Kaiten is in fact the name of the belt the sushi runs on. Although we also have Kaiten Sushi in Malaysia, but it is horrendously expensive. In Japan, I was told it’s horrendously cheap compared to usually dinner.

On 30th December, after a sukiyaki dinner, I had the opportunity to experience the “Hinoyojin” culture. On this day mostly Japanese march around their neighborhood shouting the slogan “Hinoyojin” followed by two clicks of sound using two pieces of wood and “Machi Ipon Kajinomoto”. Literally meaning watch out for fire! A Match could be the source of fire”

On 31st December, it is the Japanese Omisooka. As the clock strike midnight 12A.M., Every Japanese household eat the Soba as a symbol of longevity.
The following day, it was the Oshogatsu. From this day onwards till the 3rd, every Japanese household uses a new pair of chopsticks. These three days as well, the Japanese eat the Osechinoriori (The New Year dishes). After the breakfast, the Wakabayashi family visited the Mizuma Temple paying respect to deity on the first day of the Year.

The following day, I had the chance to watch and play the Tako and Koma; the Kite and Spinning-Top. Followed by that day, I visited Fushimi Inari Shrine Located in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari is famous for its Thousands Tori. The Tori is usually used as gate for any Shinto Shrine. However, at Fushimi Inari, these Tori’s forms a tunnel throughout the whole mountain. After that, I was brought to visited another World heritage site; the Kiyomizutera Temple. Home to the famous compassionate Bodhisattva, Kiyomizutera is built upon the mountain slope and here, one may have a breath-taking view of the Kyoto City.

My Stay in Japan has been a fabulous one. I believe both my host families have given me the best I could receive. Everything I receive was at its best; be it the treatment, the gifts, the Care and Love. From both families I received an I-pod. From the Lions Club I received the Koinoburi.

During my stay in Japan, have been the happiest days of my life by far. With such cold weather, I was warmed with the care and love of my host families. The view, the food, the people, I will surely remember till the end of day. I am strongly convinced that I have been placed in the best hosts any Youth Exchangee could receive.