Exploring Tokyo, ALT training & the new apartment!
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Hello from Hekinan, Japan!
I hope you all are doing well despite the crazy situation we're all facing.
Here's a recap of my first week in Japan.
Tokyo
As we were landing at Narita Airport, I was given this hand written car by one of the flight attendants, Nanami. I spoke a bit of Japanese throughout the flight with the crew, and her card struck me as an amazingly generous thing to do for a newcomer to the country. (Nanami's card)
Stepping off the plane, I went through a quick customs check, sent my checked bag ahead to Nagoya with a delivery service, and picked up a pocket WiFi for using Google Maps around Tokyo. As I was heading towards the trains, a camera crew stopped me for an interview on why I came to Japan. Despite being sweaty and bleary-eyed from the flight, I managed to share a few thoughts in Japanese about my teaching job, the food I'm looking forward to, and (to their surprise) Terrace House.
My home base was a hostel in Asakusa, an older area of the city famous for Sensoji shrine and a massive TV tower called Tokyo Skytree.
I emerged from the subway exit into an alleyway, feeling lost and excited, and managed to turn on my pocket wifi to get connected. The hostel was thankfully only a few blocks down the road, with the impressive Skytree off in the distance behind me. (My bunk at the hostel)
(Skytree from up close)
(Skytree from the hostel)
Highlights from Tokyo:
- Walking around Yoyogi and Ueno Parks with fellow travelers from the /r/japantravel subreddit and group chat on Line, a popular Instant messenger in Japan. (The approach to Meiji Jingu shrine)
- Stumbling on this wedding party with bride and groom in traditional Shinto dress (The bride is wearing a Wataboshi or cotton bridal veil)
- Visiting nearly every Pokemon Center in Tokyo (Rowlet) (Bulbasaur)
- Walking Through Shinjuku Gyoen Park to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Despite Coronavirus, there were hundreds of Tokyoites enjoying the park as usual. Policemen walked around with signs discouraging the use of blankets to keep people from gathering for too long. (Sakura at Shinjuku Gyoen)
(Green Tea soft serve in the park)
- Spotting Mt. Fuji along with the entire city skyline from the Helipad/rooftop of Shibuya Sky.
- Going out to a "Nomihoudai/Tabehoudai" all you can drink/eat restaurant with new friends from the /r/japantravel group
- Riding the Shinkansen down to Nagoya; enjoying a bento while watching Fuji san out the window.
Coronavirus sidebar
Throughout the week I've felt a bit guilty to be out traveling at all. Being a dormant carrier of something like this is a real issue. That being said most of Tokyo seemed to be business as usual. There were plenty of alcohol spray bottles placed in entrances and about sixty percent of people I saw were wearing masks. I washes my hands frequently, avoided super crowded trains as best I could and kept distance in public, but also was in close contact with other foreigners at restaurants.
Whatever the reason, Japan has not experienced the high number of cases like Italy and the US. Though there appear to be many more cases being reported as of 3/29. Whatever you're doing to limit spread back in the US, thank you for doing your part.
Training in Nagoya
All the teacher trainees stayed in hotels in the Nagoya area and commuted to a local community center for Initial training. We were given masks every day and thermometers to take our temperatures every morning. Each day was a mix of lectures and workshops covering topics from specific teaching activities and working in a Japanese school to culture shock and gender-specific cultural advice.
I met other trainees from Canada, The Philippines, Jamaica, UK, and the US. We were set up in small groups and did demo lessons to one another and received feedback from veteran facilitators. After each day-long sessions we'd grab dinner at the "konbini" or convenience store, like 711 and Family Mart.
Training was a lot of information to take in, and at times I felt unsure about whether I'd enjoy the daily schedule of an ALT, but I'm looking forward to meeting the school staff and kids and going from there.
Moving to Hekinan
On Friday we all departed for our placement towns. Two other guys and I headed with Kengo-san, our guide, to the Anjo area southeast of Nagoya by train and rental car.
I moved into a LeoPalace furnished apartment and waited for my suitcases and a futon bed to arrive, gas and water to be turned, and for my car to be delivered. The tiny kitchen will take some getting used to, but I'm enjoying the first couple nights here!
If anyone has tips for small kitchens, I'd love to hear them.
I drove last night for the first time on the left side of the road. I had one mishap of turning onto the wrong side, awkwardly correcting and waving my apologies at a confused VW bug driver, but made it home in one piece ;D
Thank you for reading!
Wishing you all well,