Final Reflection

I have now been back in the United States for more than two months and have had some time to process my trip and understand what it meant to me both personally and academically. When in Japan, I was able to travel to six cities (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nara, Miyajima, and Yokohama) and explore many places. Throughout the trip, I stayed at various hostels throughout the country and met people from both Japan and all over the world. I visited temples, museums, memorials, and various other places. My time spent in Japan allowed me to gain an understanding of my question and so much more. I learned more about a culture from across the world!

I decided to apply for this particular Magellan project after going on a trip during intersession to Vietnam. It was there that we learned about the Vietnam War from the perspective of the Vietnamese and it was truly eye opening. This inspired me to take my own trip to Japan and do a similar project and thanks to the Magellan Project, I was able to accomplish this goal.

After arriving in Japan, it took some time to get used to Japanese culture. I for sure experienced culture shock. Their society is very regimented and disciplined. Compared to the United States, they are much more subscribed to the rules set by their society. Japanese society seemed to be much more collective than focused on the individual. The people there go out of their way to help you even if they do not speak English very well. The people are extremely accommodating, patient, and willing to help but also much more reserved. I learned early that they spoke a lot less English than what was told to me by people who had visited before. However, after being there a while, I got used to it and it was fairly easy to get around.

This did impede my project to an extent as I could not ask many people questions about my topic because most people did not speak a whole lot of English. In Vietnam, we had a tour guide that could translate and unfortunately, I could not afford that in Japan. This meant that I had to rely more on my interpretations of the museums and memorials describing World War II and even some of those had little English. When I visited these paces on my trip, I spent a lot of time studying the narrative that was displayed at each place to get an understanding of how the Japanese people remember the war. Compared to the United States, the Japanese people viewed World War II more as a learning experience.  They had suffered huge losses both militarily and as a nation. Whether it be due to their loss in the war was unclear, but it would make sense as they are a very honorable people.  The museums and memorials focus were on the horrors of war and pushed the idea of peace and abolishment of nuclear weapons. There didn’t even seem to be any hostility towards the United States and instead they strive for peace. In the United States we glorify World War II in such a manner that makes war look like a good time.  We do that through movies, video games, and books that are still being produced today. I did not see much of this in Japan and at the memorials and museums they focused on the loss and horrors of war and nuclear warfare. They honored their soldiers, but also remembered the tragedy. I am not saying that we don’t do this in the United States as well, but it seemed more prevalent in Japan. The lack of English in Japan and some of these museums made it harder to research my topic but also allowed me to think more about the question and develop my observations.

Something that surprised me about Japan was the differences of some of the people from city to city. Like we have in the United States with stereotypes about states, they had this with different cities. While in other cities, people would tell me how mean people were in Tokyo, warning me that not all Japanese people are like them. While in Hiroshima, they told me about how Osaka is way more laid back than other places in Japan. It was interesting how different the people in each one of the cities differed in their ways of life and thoughts about others because Japan is much smaller than the United States.

My trip to Japan allowed me to learn so much even though I was only there for three weeks. I developed as a person both personally and academically. I have always had a love for history and this project allowed me to indulge in that love in a very unique way. It helped me to be a better researcher, amateur historian, and person. By seeing the differing way in which Japan remembers World War II I have seen first had the differing perspectives that people and countries can have on certain events. We tend to think that everyone thinks the same way that we do but there are so many different perspectives. Both sides did regretful things during the war, but we must move past them. This project has developed me personally and I now know I will be fine as my life progresses. I am extremely grateful to the Magellan Project and Washington and Jefferson College for this opportunity that they gave me and hope that it continues after I leave the college so many more students can experience something like this.

Last Few Days in Japan

For the last three days, I have been back in Tokyo because my flight takes off from here. I have spent these last few days cramming in as many things as I possibly could. I visited Odaiba, Tsukiji Fish Market, the Toyota headquarters, and even took a late night trip to Yokohama. Last night, I met up with someone is friends with people that I know from back home.  We went to a world-class sushi restaurant because she was friends with the chef. After eating at this restaurant I think I can safely say that I will never look at sushi in the same way again. Unfortunately, I am leaving tomorrow but I wish that I can stay longer! My time spent in Japan has been really eye-opening and I have learned a lot about both my topic and Japanese culture as a whole.

My Last Ramen

The Sushi Chef

My Time in Japan's Kitchen

After leaving Hiroshima I made my way to Osaka where I have spent my last couple of days. I have to say, I'm pretty sure that I like Osaka more than Tokyo. Osaka is known as "Japan's Kitchen" as it is said that the best food in Japan is in Osaka. I have spent waaaaaaay too much money on food since I've been in this city. I've splurged on sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and even tried some Kobe beef. I explored Dotonbori multiple times and even ate under the famous Glico Man sign. There are so many really cool things to do in Osaka that I hope to come back one day again. While here, I took a day trip to Nara to see the deer park. In that city, deer just roam the streets alongside people and there is a temple that is enormous. It was definitely worth the day trip! While in Osaka, I visited the Osaka National Peace Center to do more research on my topic. This museum is specifically focused on Japan's experience with World War II with a focus on Osaka. This museum showed the conditions that the Japanese people lived under during the Second World War. Like us, the Japanese people utilized ration cards and had to adapt to wartime conditions. However, just like most of the museums, memorials, and parks that focused on World War II, this museum focused on the effects of war. The focus was again on peace and remembering the sacrifice of the Japanese people and soldiers during wartime. It was not as much remembering the specific events of the war. In my opinion, they view it as more of a lesson for the future than something that happened and should be glorified. Whether or not that is due to the outcome of the war, I don't know; however, some of the labels in the museum were not translated and there was no one that I could ask to translate. My time in Osaka has been enjoyable and eye-opening and I am starting to become sad that I only have a few more days here in Japan.

Dotonbori

Glico Man

Dotonbori

A deer in Nara

Entrance to the Temple in Nara

Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum

Today could not have been anymore bleak to visit the park and museum. It was a very rainy day and the general mood of the park is pretty depressing itself. Walking through the park and experiencing the A-bomb dome where the nuclear bomb dropped by the United States fell was a very eye-opening experience. We often talk about the importance of the bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II as a pivotal point in the war at gaining victory in the Pacific. There has been much debate over whether or not the bombs should have been dropped but visiting the site and experiencing it for oneself is very impactful. The bomb was indescriminitory with its victims, it killed men, women, and children whether a civilian or soldier. Seeing the objects that remain from the aftermath is a very sad sight and it is hard not to be emotional while visiting the park or the museum. The park and museum itself focus on peace and the abolishment of the use of nuclear weapons. The museum has melted tricycles, pictures of victims, first-hand accounts of what happened the day the bomb was dropped, and a recreation of what happened to Hiroshima when the bomb was dropped.  There is not a lot of mention of the war itself or what happened throughout the war. Instead, the park and the museum focus on the people that were affected by the dropping of the bomb and the destruction that nuclear weapons cause when used. Instead of making the United States a monster that caused such destruction, they focus on the harm that the atomic bombs caused. The overall message that I received visiting these places today is the pursuit of peace and a nuclear-free world. Today was an emotionally heavy day that will probably take some time and reflection to understand the tragedy of what happened.

Pictures of the aftermath of the nuke

Origami Cranes

A-Bomb Dome

Memorial in the Peace Park

Hiroshima and Miyajima

I arrived in Hiroshima in the evening yesterday and decided to go to bed early as I am only spending three days here and I plan to be out for most of them. While hanging out in the hostel, someone suggested that I should take a ferry to an island close to Hiroshima called Miyajima. I took their advice and decided to explore the peace park and museum tomorrow. I am glad that I took their advice because Miyajima is one of the coolest places that I have been while traveling. It is an extremely small island but is the home of Mt. Misen and the Itsukushima Shrine. So I kinda lied about not visiting any more temples or shrines!:) The Itsukushima Shrine extremely cool. When it is high tide, the gate of the shrine is completely submerged in water and by the time low tide occurs, you can walk out on the sand and go up to the gates. Also, since the island itself and shrine is seen as sacred, there are various wild deer that wander around that you can take pictures with and hang out with. They walk right up to you! After seeing the shrine and exploring the town itself, I decided to hike up Mt. Misen. It took me about an hour and a half to get up the mountain but the view at the top was spectacular! By the time I hiked back down the mountain, It was sunset and low tide. I took some cool pictures of the gate and got some Okonomiyaki for dinner. Tomorrow I am going to explore the Hiroshima peace park and the various museums and memorials at the site.

View from the top of Mt. Misen

Shrine at high tide

Shrine at low tide

Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines

The past couple of days in Kyoto has been dedicated to exploring the city and the various temples and shrines that are in it. Kyoto is known for their temples and shrines and there are thousands of them! There is no way that I could ever get to all of them but I tried to go to as many as I could in my couple days in Kyoto. After visiting many temples and shrines such as Kinkaku-Ju, Ginkaku-Ji, Fushimi-Ku, and even some random places that I just stumbled upon while exploring Kyoto. I even made my way back to the Bamboo forest to visit the temple that I was unable to visit my first time around. It was well worth the second trip! Amongst all of the temples and shrines, I also visited the Gion District and witnessed a rare Geisha sighting. I ate at various self-cooking barbeque restaurants that would put many of our restaurants to shame. After my time in Kyoto, my Goushinchou has gained many different stamps and I can honestly say I might not visit any more temples on my trip lol. I am all templed out. Tomorrow I am heading to Hiroshima to continue my research on how the Japanese remember World War II compared to the United States in the location of a huge event of the war.

Kinkaku-Ju

Fushimi-Ku

First Day in Kyoto: Nishiki Market, Bamboo Forest, and Monkey Forest

Yesterday after getting off the bullet train I went to the hostel and rested for the rest of the day. I was WAY TO TIRED to do anything... Jet lag must be kicking in:(. Today was pretty cool though, I spent most of my day exploring the Nishiki Market which is famous in Kyoto! At the market, I ate many different things such as baby octopus on a stick, grapefruit juice fresh out of the fruit, and various weird flavored pastries that I could not even hope to remember their names. After that, I met up with two guys that I met in Tokyo and we made our way to Arashiyama to try to see the bamboo forest. The Arashiyama area is probably my favorite place in Japan so far. Kyoto itself is more traditional looking than Tokyo with thousands of temples and much older buildings. However, something about the feel of Arashiyama makes it seem like a much different place and I really like the area. The Bamboo Forest was was just like you see in all the pictures, extremely beautiful, but much smaller than I thought. On the way to the forest, we saw a sign that led to a Monkey forest and just could not pass it up. After an hour hike to get to where the monkeys were, we were exposed to a beautiful view and hundreds of monkeys just roaming around the outpost. At the outpost, we got to feed multiple monkeys both old and young which was a cool ending to our time in Arashiyama. Unfortunately, we did not make it to the temple that was in the forest and I plan to make my way back before I leave Kyoto.

Nishiki Market

Lunch in Kyoto

Bamboo Forest

Ben and Michael at the Monkey Sanctuary

My First Shinkansen (Bullet Train)

Hello! I'm really just typing this one cause I'm bored and I am on the train for the next hour and a half! The train stations in Japan are fairly easy to navigate (even without knowing Japanese) and also extremely efficient. I got a ticket today to go to Kyoto from Tokyo extremely cheap and the trip isn't supposed to be long at all. As I go by the various small cities and villages on the train I can see more of what rural life in Japan is really like and it looks much different than the city! I am going to try to get another blog up after I explore Kyoto a little more!

Mountain on the Shinkansen

The Next Four Days in Tokyo!

I have spent that last couple of days exploring the giant city that is Tokyo and adjusting a little to the Japanese culture. Over the last four days, I visited Ueno Park and watched various street performers such as magicians, musicians, and other talented performers. I visited the famous Shibuya crossing to make my trek across the street with thousands of others. To tell you the truth, the crossing is extremely hectic. No matter which way you go, you run into a bunch of people! I visited Ginza (the financial district) and walked through the streets filled with various designer stores, luxury car dealerships, and expensive restaurants. I've learned a few Japanese words that help me to get around and people have been extremely open to helping me when I am lost. The food here is unreal! The food in Vietnam was delicious when I visited there, but Japanese food might honestly top that. Among the metropolis that is Tokyo, there are many ancient temples that you can visit and these have been the highlight of my trip thus far. I visited the Taito temple in Asakusa with the large market that surrounds the worship area. I also visited the Meiji Shrine which is surrounded by a huge park and forest that allows for a nice break from the city scene. At one of the smaller temples in a cemetery, I got my Goshuincho which is a stamp book that proves what temples that you have visited! You can get the stamps at both shrines (which is Shinto) and temples (which is Buddhist) and is a really cool way to remember my trip. I plan to continue to add to the stamp book as my trip continues, especially when I head to Kyoto tomorrow.

Tree in Ueno Park

Pagoda at Taito Temple in Asakusa

Taito Temple in Asakusa

First Day in Tokyo

Yesterday, I arrived in Japan and made my way to the Emblem Hostel on the outskirts of Tokyo where I will be spending my next four nights. When I arrived at the hostel, I was way too tired to do anything so I got something to eat at the hostel and went to bed. This morning, I woke up early and started my exploration of Japan. Honestly, I set off today with no real plan in mind. I used my Suica card (subway card) and took the metro to Akihabara. Akihabara is known as the electronic district within Tokyo and it is truly amazing. Connected to the train station is a fourteen-story megastore called Yodobashi.

Yodobashi is unlike any store that I have ever been to in the United States or any of the other countries that I have traveled to. Anything electronic that you can possibly imagine is somewhere within Yodobashi. Each floor is some new type of technology with hundreds of people going around and buying various things. There were so many things that I didn't even know what some of them were. I couldn't even read or find out what anything was because there was literally no English in the store (lol). Despite this, just seeing this electronic megastore was truly a sight to see. The rest of the morning and afternoon I continued to explore Akihabara. I ate in an Izakaya, explored the various arcades, and walked down Anime street and saw how obsessed some of the Japenese people are with the animated shows. After exploring Akihabara, I headed to the Chiyoda district of Tokyo in order to visit the Yasukuni Shrine and War Museum.

At Yasukuni Shrine, various Japanese people visited to honor their ancestors who had fought in any of the wars that have occurred in Japan. I was unable to read many of the statues and smaller memorials because they were only transcribed in Japanese. However, it was clear that the way in which the Japanese people remembered these wars were much more focused on the honor of the soldiers that have fought and sacrificed opposed to the actual events of the wars.  The museum at the shrine displayed the narrative of World War II in a very matter of fact way. There was no mention of the crimes of any nation, instead, it focused on what caused the war and continued to honor who fought in the war. (There could have been more but only some were translated and there was no one there to help me.) From the shrine today, it seemed that the Japanese people focus less on the events of World War II and more on the sacrifice of the people who fought and died for their country.

My first day in Japan has been a real eye-opener. The Japanese culture is extremely different than the United States. There is a lot less English spoken so far than what I was told so I am going to brush up on some words I can use for the rest of my trip.

Memorial at Yasukuni Shrine

Kamikaze Plane 

Yasukuni Shrine

Anime Street and Arcades

Yodobashi Electronic Store

The Magellan Project

The Magellan Project is an opportunity provided by Washington and Jefferson College to students which allows them to acquire funding to pursue internships, research, or independent projects both domestically and abroad over the summer. The Magellan provides students with a once in a lifetime opportunity (but you can do three lol) to travel the world and accomplish your goals.