My experience in Japan!

I have just returned from our trip to Japan and would now like to recap my experience!

We arrived safely and without much delay despite the incoming hurricane during our layover in Hawaii and typhoon in Japan. On Saturday, we were welcomed to Kobe Gakuin University where we met our student pen pals and faculty. Sensei-sho was our main faculty contact. He was very friendly and would kindly direct us to where we needed to go or what we needed to be doing. 

Kobe Gakuin University

Green tea mochi

"hai chiizu!" or "say cheese!"

"hai chiizu!" or "say cheese!"

The sky cleared up and we were able to take
our first look of Sannomiya in Kobe city. It's a 15 minute train ride from the university and connects to many other train stations. We had fun with photobooths and tried mochi. The mochi was different than what I know in the states. It was good, but I think prefer American mochi with ice cream better!

One of the first things I couldn't help but notice were the hi-tech toilets! They were equipped with a bidet, toilet seat warmer (which I will miss!), and flushing sounds--which I am guessing helped you to be discreet while doing your business! There was also a "power deodorizer" button, which I think turned on a fan/vent. Some toilets have a dryer button for after using the bidet.

Fancy toilet functions

As the other posts mentioned, Japan also has squatting toilets which some Japanese people do prefer over the western toilet. I enjoyed the signs that instructed people not to squat on western toilets, but I do wish that there was a sign for how to use the squatting toilets. I did not learn how to do it properly until I read Jen's post!

Do not squat

On Sunday, the typhoon hit with winds up to 100 mph. We were unable to make it to the hot springs that day, but the storm cleared in the afternoon and we went into the city.

Sannomiya district, Kobe, Japan

We then visited Ikuta shrine, went to an arcade, had an 8-course dinner, and had our own private room for karaoke. 

On Monday, we woke up to a beautiful sunrise! We later headed to the university where we had a lecture from Kamiya-sensei about kampo (herbal) pharmacy. We then had okonomiyaki for lunch. It is like a pancake that consists of batter and cabbage and ingredients/toppings of your choosing. I bought some of the ingredients so I can try to make this at home! After lunch, we visited a kampo pharmacy and traveled to Osaka to see Osaka castle.

View from our room

okonomiyaki

Osaka Castle

On Tuesday, we had a lecture about medication dispensing and administration. They use oblate, a kind of starch paper, to help administer oral powder medication to children. The powder is placed in the oblate pouch. While holding the pouch in a spoon, the pouch is dipped in water. This causes the oblate to turn into a jelly form that surrounds the powder, and it can then be swallowed. Powder medication is a pretty common dosage form in Japan as opposed to suspensions that are seen in the U.S. We then toured Kobe city hospital where we got to speak with current pharmacy residents. The hospital system seemed pretty similar to the states. We also visited a community pharmacy where they do a lot of unit dosing.

Community pharmacy

That night, we had a takoyaki (fried octopus balls) making party followed by fireworks by the water. It was really fun getting to spend time with the Japanese students! We showed them some dance moves like the cupid shuffle and how to douggie, and they showed us some fun ways to take pictures! 

Night in the park

On Wednesday, we had a lecture regarding the health care system in Japan. I found this lecture most interesting because their health care system is so different from ours. Theirs is a universal health care system and they have the freedom to choose their health care provider. In the states, insurance plans usually restrict which providers you can see. I also found it interesting that the government regulates the standard price of drugs from the manufacturer. I can see how this might affect the research and development of new drugs if the manufacturer is not making as much money. Also there is a dispensing fee system that uses a point system to determine how much the patient pays (patient is later reimbursed by the insurance company). It follows a formula: dispensing fee = basic technical fee + dispensing charge + pharmacy administration fee + drug product fee + fee for medical supply. What's also interesting is that the patient/insurance is billed if the pharmacist detects drug interactions or duplicate therapies.

Later that day, we visited the fish market and Himeji castle. That night we went to Kobe harborland where we saw Kobe tower and the beautiful Kobe city skyline. Apparently, this is a date-night hot spot!

Himeji castle

 On Thursday we took a 3 hour bullet train ride to Tokyo. It is hot and humid in Japan, and fans are almost a necessity.

Keeping cool in Tokyo

We went to the harajuku district, which is known for its youth culture and fashion. This is also where I had the best ramen!! We visted Meiji shrine and sensoji temple (oldest in tokyo). I learned that to pay your respects, you may put coins in the offertory box, bow twice, clap your hands twice, and bow once more. We then visited the akihabarra district, which is known as being the center for anime. This district also has many host/hostess cafes, which I learned is where Japanese people can go to pay for conversation with the opposite sex. I think this was one of the most shocking aspects of the culture for me! Good hosts can make up to $50,000 a month!

Harajuku district

On Friday, we visited Nara where there are deer roaming freely. We went to Todai-ji temple, which is the largest wooden building in the world, and it holds the largest bronze statue of buddha. This temple was very impressive and was my favorite during the trip. That night, we went to Namba district known for its entertainment. We went to a rooftop beer garden with all you can eat and drink. This district was kind of like the Las Vegas of Japan.

Todai-ji temple

On Saturday, we took a bus to Kyoto where it poured rain on us! For lunch, we had conveyor belt sushi, which was a fun, interactive experience. You can dispose of your plates in a slot at your table for a chance to win prizes. 

On Sunday, we took an hour bullet train ride to Hiroshima. We went to miyajima and the hiroshima peace memorial museum. It was shocking to see the absolute devastation that occurred after the atom bomb and to see the city completely rebuilt now and how it promotes peace. The mayor writes a letter to the country ambassador every time a nuclear weapon is tested and urges the country to stop using them. The museum displays walls filled with all the letters that have been sent. 

We also spent some time with Doug's friend, Shawn, who is teaching English in Japan. One of the things I learned from him was that the Japanese education system is very test based. Each school has their own entrance examination, and you have to score high enough in order to be admitted to the school. In a previous post, we pointed out some of the cultural differences in Japan. To add to that, I learned that it is not polite to be direct and so Japanese people will be very indirect when speaking. When I asked Shawn what he missed about the states, he said he missed how people are direct and to the point. When I asked Moomoo what he missed about the states, he said he missed Mexican food, pizza, and the cultural diversity. Learning about the differences in culture was definitely very fascinating to me.

On our last day, the students threw us a sayonara party. It was very sad saying goodbye. I had no idea that I was going to make so many new friends and connect so much with the people that I did. The hospitality that we received was unmatched to anything I have ever experienced before. The Japanese students/faculty not only spent time and money traveling with us, but they also gave us memorable souvenirs that brought tears to my eyes. They were so nice and thoughtful the whole trip. The Japanese students and faculty were the best part of my experience. From them, I got to learn more about the culture as well as some of the language. I hope to keep in touch and show them the same hospitality when they come visit in Arizona. They really helped make this trip unforgettable.

At the sayonara party

Yui and I

Waving goodbye