Changing Impressions

" at Aso Mt."

After almost 9 months being in Japan, I have tried my best taveling as much as possible. As my first impresion of Japan was all about shrine, odera, and those things I thought I have already seen enough last semester. After I took a trip with my friends to Kyushu 九州, the south island of Japan, I realized that besides those newly designed constructions and historical remains that I have visited, the beautiful nature in Japan has changed my narrow sight toward Japanland!

" the top of mountain we climbed the first day."

we spent around 6 days in Kyushu, 3 days in Beppu, 3 days in Aso Mt. As a hard working student in Taiwan (part of truth) I did not have enough time to travel to this kind of countryside. I prefer going to the beach or driving a car to the coast and enjoying my time doing whatever I like. This time, it could be the 3rd time in my entire life by now climbing the mountains, and CAMPING in the mountains! That was for sure an awesome memory to me in Japan. What made me more touched was not only the beauty of nature, but also their kindness.

I was such an unprofessional mountain climber. The first day when I arrived, I was told that we were going to climb a mountain. I thought it was nothing but like it was in Fushimiinari, climbing up hill and walking up stairs. Wrong! I was totally wrong. It was actually a rocky mountain and I was climbing it with mini-skirt and converse. Of course my feet were injured and my ankles were blistered! When I almost reach the top of the mountain, I could not move any step but asking for help. Thanks for the oldman's help, I got bandage from him and walking down successfully.

" I was actually crying after receiving his help because I was too touched! "

To my surprise is that I was told that Japanese people were seemed to be distance but through what I encountered in Kyushu, I think Japanese people actually are nice and really willing to give help. After the trip to Kyushu, no matter how I was told or how they truly act, I have had the best memory in Japan and I do really want to come back again.

Gender in Japan- Japanese Girls!

Since Taiwan and Japan are so close to each other, we share some cultural perspectives, life style, and so on in common. Especially nowadays, we imported lots of Japanese magazines which focus on how to make yourself look nice everyday and on special occasions. I like to read those really girly stuff at leisure but I never followed it since I have never been that girly and skinny as many Japanese girls are.

Before I came to Japan I was warned that I’d better learn how to wear high heels walking, dealing with my boring hairstyle. Most important of all, don’t go to school WITHOUT make-up.

I didn’t really care that much and didn’t really think it matters. However, as soon as I arrived, I felt like naked with my plain face. if you ever pay attention to those lovely young ladies walking on campus with nice make-up, fancy high heels, perfect hair, and of course, with nice clothes, then, you will know what I am talking about.

Recycling in Japan

"bins on campus, usually they have 3 different catogories."

"recycling instruction@ www.genexe.com/uploads/2008/08/recyclingjapan.jpg"

Basically, everything in Japan is good, nice and wonderful to me. We don't have to walk too far to have a nice curry rice with a giant size deep fried pork; we don't have to drive a car to buy our necessaries; buses and trains are ALWAYS (since I've been here for 8 months, it has never been late.....) on time. However, I was extremely enjoying my life in Japan until I walked to the garbage can the first time to dump my trash......


In Japan, they focus on recycling in a very specific way. When I was in seminar house, I could do it by telling the instructions either posted on the wall/ bins. After I moved out with my friends to an apartment, I started to get confused every time when I dumped. We have to follow the rule separating our trash and take them to the dump on different days. I appreciate how Japanese people deal with the trash and how amazing they are that they can tell which garbage should go to which bin. It is really nice behavior but to people who is not used to it, it is a real pain.