Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, of this week were all national holidays, granting those of us with jobs here an extended, 5-day weekend. The week itself is officially called Silver Week, and the holidays (in order): Respect for the Aged Day, National Holiday (I think a filler), and Autumnal Equinox Day. People use these days for various things (moving, visting family, etc.)- we JETs, as is typical to us, used them for travel. I spent 4 full days (Sat. morning-Tues night) in Tokyo, and in a couple of different posts I'll try talk about the highlights of my trip.
I will try to order posts in this way: Itinerary (1), Food (2), Night life (3), Shopping (4), Otaku/Nerd Culture (and other counter-cultures) (5), Tokyo vs. Tokushima (OR Why I Prefer the Country life- at least for now) (6)
First post- Itinerary Overview- hopefully this will give context to the post(s) after this- sorry if it turns a little long, was just orienting myself by remembering which order things happened in which order:
Friday, September 18- Night bus from Tokushima Stn.-Tokyo's Shinagawa Station
Tokushima-Tokyo is approximately an 8 1/2 bus ride, if you do it at night. Chris, B, Celia, Henry, and I decided on this, because it was 2 fewer nights of accomodation and was pretty convenient. In all, it cost 18,000 yen ($180) for the round-trip. We left Tokushima at 9:30 pm and arrived at 7 am- too early to check into the hotel, but we could drop our stuff off there. Stayed at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel- a really nice place right next to Tokyo's Yamanote Circle train line, which hits all of the major places that we tourists would want to go.
Saturday, September 19-
1.) Shibuya Starbucks- 2-story Starbucks with huge windows onto Tokyo's version of Times Square- some of the best people watching in the world, hands-down
2.) Ikebukuro- great district for bars/restaurants- we went to an American-style pizza buffet (Shakeys)
3.) Akihabara- Brief visit to Akihabara Electric Town- Tokyo's (and nerds') consumer electronics and anime Mecca- blocks and blocks of stores
4.) Nap- no matter how much we slept on the night bus, the afternoon still called for a nap
5.) Ebisu beer festival with Celia, B, & Henry- we met up with fellow Tokushima JET Maggie and her friend Michael for a few pints of beers and pub grub, Japanese-style- great way to spend a cool evening outdoors
6.) Lockup- a prison/horror-themed bar located (fittingly) in a multi-story basement. Think haunted house with themed drinks, waitresses dressed like guards, and periodic visits by "monsters" in gas/hockey masks
7.) Pure- a club in Shibuya with the largest percentage of foreigners of anywhere we went
Sunday, September 20-
1.) Harajuku (w/Celia, Henry, B, & Nick- another JET from DC)- shopping district also famous for its counter-culture stores, people dressed like dolls, etc.
2.) Odaiba (w/CHB, Nick, and Zach (another DC JET))- an island with massive malls, one of which is ostensibly modeled after the mall in Las Vegas with the ceiling painted as the sky
3.) Shimbashi- went exploring a bit with Nick in Shimbashi- huge, modern buildings and lots of shops
4.) Ikebukuro-Dinner w/Ayaka, Masae- two of my good friends from when I studied here sophomore year of high school. We went to a Yakitori place, and the food was amazing.
5.) Ikebukuro- went to Hub, and English-style pub w/Ayaka, Masae, HBC
6.) Shibuya w/Nick, Sumner, etc., Harlem- after HBC went to bed, met up with Nick, Sumner, and some other JETs and went out in Shibuya to a club called Harlem
Monday, September 21-
1.) Late wake-up
2.) Akihabara Electric Town with Nick, Sumner, and host-brother Ari while B etc went Harajuku shopping again
3.) Shinagawa- Dinner at a health-nabe place with Aya, Hina, and Andrew- all former St. Stephen's (my HS) students; Aya was the exchange student at my school for 1 year, Hina spent 4 years as a boarder from Tokyo, and Andrew did the same exchange program as I did, is now a Georgetown junior in the SFS, and is currently studying abroad for the year in Tokyo at Waseda University.
4.) Shibuya- Camelot night club with Chris, Celia, B, Henry, Nick, Sumner, and Andrew
Tuesday, September 22-
Ari & Mika day- Ari is my host brother from my time in Japan before- I lived with his family for 11 months, and he spent the subsequent year as an exchange student at my high school. His girlfriend, Mika, is an awesome girl who spent a year at Lewis & Clark in Portland, OR, ironically one of the college visits that Ari and I did when he was in the US (it was jr. year of HS, so we did a few coll. visits)
1.) Harajuku- Ramen, Meiji Jingu (Meiji emperor's shrine), Yoyogi Park
2.) Shinjuku- huge restaurant/bar/electronics district where we stayed for Tokyo Orientation- went to a book store with books in English (only bought 4), then bought a Playstation 3
3.) Waseda U- strolled a little around the campus of Ari's university, one of the two best private schools in Japan- he studies basically what I did- International politics, government, economics
4.) Ari's apartment- he pays almost 3 times as much for an apartment less than half the size of mine- but he lives within walking distance of Waseda, in the middle of Tokyo
5.) Korean BBQ- one of my favorite meals I've had so far in Japan, yum
6.) Bus ride home
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Advice for those considering the JET Program
A friend of mine who is currently a senior at Georgetown wrote to me about a week ago letting me know that he is considering applying for the JET program and asking questions about my experience with it so far, the application process, etc.
Below is my response to his e-mail. Thanks to the detailed nature of his e-mail, I was able to write about a lot of things that someone thinking of applying to JET may be concerned about (including concerns that I had).
I agree that it's the program is an amazing opportunity- I had pretty much the same impression last fall when I was applying, and it hasn't changed since. The lack of being able to specifically choose your location can be a downer for some, but I feel like the positives of the program overwhelmingly outweigh it. As for your application- because we didn't get a ton of feedback on it, it's hard to say. Some things I would definitely recommend though:
-They are looking for people who will be good cultural ambassadors and have a real and abiding interest in Japan's people, history, and culture- which I'm sure you are definitely all of those things. Do your best to express this in your application essay. If I can find it later when I get home, I'll try to send mine along.
-Recommendations: pick people in your life who will back up the claims you make in your application essay(s), and make sure to explain to them as in-depth as possible not only why you want to do this program, but also what the program is looking for in its new JETs. Also, make sure to do this as one of your FIRST things- even 3-4 weeks is too little time (as I found out the hard way).
-Make sure you go through the checklist multiple times and read the fine print. I'd forgotten that the program wants a SEPARATE transcript from your study abroad (ask the OIP) included with the application materials.
-Of course, you'll see that they want everything in triplicate- it's a pain in the butt, especially when asking the people writing your recommendation to make sure they make 3 copies of it, but you have to do it.-If I think of any more, I'll let you know.
Another pain is just how long the application process is- you hear if you get an interview at the end of January, actually have it in February, hear of your acceptance in early April, and hear of your placement in May. The biggest drag on me was the fact that my roommates simply couldn't wait until April 10 to sign a lease for the next couple of years in DC, but it all worked out ok (and I had a few different friends with whom I could've lived if JET didn't work out). This may be obvious, but do your best to have a plan B & C for not only jobs, but housing, etc. too.
The interview wasn't particularly challenging (esp. compared to those consulting intverviews haha). They basically ask you to reiterate a lot of things you said in your essays, teach a quick (2 minute) lesson (mine was about my favorite American holiday), and they may ask you to demonstrate your Japanese (not terribly important, they're more just curious). Make sure to not get too worked up and to speak conversationally, but SLOWLY- I spoke a bit quickly b/c I was nervous, and they called me out on it haha. I would say the actual hardest question they asked me was "You've been to Japan before, and your language ability is most likely above being a JET ALT, why do this as opposed to other options?"
The Program up to now- like I said before, my general impression hasn't changed from before I came. In orientation, etc., the Program will tell you ESID (every situation is different) repeatedly, and it really is true. Generally, however, I feel like the other JETs around me are very happy with how the program works out. Those of us with Japanese language ability have a much easier time than those without (though you do have access to a good number of English speakers- other JETs, your supervisor, the Japanese English Teachers in your schools). A lot of your time on weekends you'll spend with other JETs- traveling, doing things- so in that sense it's a lot like study abroad, where your social circle is fairly limited, and I think that's where some people have problems.
Generally, though, it's pretty much as-advertised- we're paid a ridiculous amount (and subsidized in our rent, etc.) for work that's a lot of fun, people are genuinely glad to have us here and are very, very nice (which I'm sure you knew from before), and kids are kids, no matter where you are.
The various orientations that you will have will cover pretty much any possible concern. I had a full-day Q&A session in June, a half-day pre-departure orientation in July, and then 3 full days of Tokyo orientation. The orientations are extensive, detailed, and extremely helpful. Another useful resource is http://www.ithinkimlost.com - it's an unofficial JET discussion board online that's hugely popular. Though my prefecture has its own, closed one, ithinkimlost is great. It even has a section for people who think they'll be applying.
Below is my response to his e-mail. Thanks to the detailed nature of his e-mail, I was able to write about a lot of things that someone thinking of applying to JET may be concerned about (including concerns that I had).
I agree that it's the program is an amazing opportunity- I had pretty much the same impression last fall when I was applying, and it hasn't changed since. The lack of being able to specifically choose your location can be a downer for some, but I feel like the positives of the program overwhelmingly outweigh it. As for your application- because we didn't get a ton of feedback on it, it's hard to say. Some things I would definitely recommend though:
-They are looking for people who will be good cultural ambassadors and have a real and abiding interest in Japan's people, history, and culture- which I'm sure you are definitely all of those things. Do your best to express this in your application essay. If I can find it later when I get home, I'll try to send mine along.
-Recommendations: pick people in your life who will back up the claims you make in your application essay(s), and make sure to explain to them as in-depth as possible not only why you want to do this program, but also what the program is looking for in its new JETs. Also, make sure to do this as one of your FIRST things- even 3-4 weeks is too little time (as I found out the hard way).
-Make sure you go through the checklist multiple times and read the fine print. I'd forgotten that the program wants a SEPARATE transcript from your study abroad (ask the OIP) included with the application materials.
-Of course, you'll see that they want everything in triplicate- it's a pain in the butt, especially when asking the people writing your recommendation to make sure they make 3 copies of it, but you have to do it.-If I think of any more, I'll let you know.
Another pain is just how long the application process is- you hear if you get an interview at the end of January, actually have it in February, hear of your acceptance in early April, and hear of your placement in May. The biggest drag on me was the fact that my roommates simply couldn't wait until April 10 to sign a lease for the next couple of years in DC, but it all worked out ok (and I had a few different friends with whom I could've lived if JET didn't work out). This may be obvious, but do your best to have a plan B & C for not only jobs, but housing, etc. too.
The interview wasn't particularly challenging (esp. compared to those consulting intverviews haha). They basically ask you to reiterate a lot of things you said in your essays, teach a quick (2 minute) lesson (mine was about my favorite American holiday), and they may ask you to demonstrate your Japanese (not terribly important, they're more just curious). Make sure to not get too worked up and to speak conversationally, but SLOWLY- I spoke a bit quickly b/c I was nervous, and they called me out on it haha. I would say the actual hardest question they asked me was "You've been to Japan before, and your language ability is most likely above being a JET ALT, why do this as opposed to other options?"
The Program up to now- like I said before, my general impression hasn't changed from before I came. In orientation, etc., the Program will tell you ESID (every situation is different) repeatedly, and it really is true. Generally, however, I feel like the other JETs around me are very happy with how the program works out. Those of us with Japanese language ability have a much easier time than those without (though you do have access to a good number of English speakers- other JETs, your supervisor, the Japanese English Teachers in your schools). A lot of your time on weekends you'll spend with other JETs- traveling, doing things- so in that sense it's a lot like study abroad, where your social circle is fairly limited, and I think that's where some people have problems.
Generally, though, it's pretty much as-advertised- we're paid a ridiculous amount (and subsidized in our rent, etc.) for work that's a lot of fun, people are genuinely glad to have us here and are very, very nice (which I'm sure you knew from before), and kids are kids, no matter where you are.
The various orientations that you will have will cover pretty much any possible concern. I had a full-day Q&A session in June, a half-day pre-departure orientation in July, and then 3 full days of Tokyo orientation. The orientations are extensive, detailed, and extremely helpful. Another useful resource is http://www.ithinkimlost.com - it's an unofficial JET discussion board online that's hugely popular. Though my prefecture has its own, closed one, ithinkimlost is great. It even has a section for people who think they'll be applying.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Coming up: School Sports Day and Cultural Festival
An elaborate, 2-day affair that all middle & high schools put on in Japan. It's tomorrow and the next days, so more to come soon :-)
Sunday, September 6, 2009
I'm Published :-)
This past summer I did an internship at the Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a foreign policy think-tank in DC. During the last couple of weeks of working there, the other interns and I were able to collaborate on a paper critiquing Japanese immigration policy and speculating on what the future may hold in a DPJ (see earlier post)- controlled government here. A few days ago, the final version was finally completed/approved, and the Japan Chair will publish it on its website soon. I'd like to congratulate my fellow Japan chair interns on their hard work- I haven't posted about my internship yet on this blog, but it was a wonderful, educational experience, and the other interns (Anna, Laura, Miko, Yana) were all very, very intelligent and very hard working, and helped set a precedent that I was constantly attempting to keep up with :-)
http://csis.org/program/japan-chair
http://csis.org/program/japan-chair
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Listen to the wisdom of Prof. Green in the NYT
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/world/asia/02diplo.html?em
Bottom line- with a change of political power in Japan for the first time in 54 years, there is concern that America's "strongest alliance" could be facing a shift. These concerns came to the forefront on Monday after an article written by Yukio Hatoyama, head of the newly-elected Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) was translated- in the article, Hatoyama charged that Japan's economy was the victim of "the victim of American-inspired free-market fundamentalism." He is now back-pedaling, saying that the article was never meant to come out in English.
Prof. Green's take- hold off on any widespread conclusions on what the DPJ will do with the US alliance based solely on campaign rhetoric, etc...they're still working on figuring it out.
Bottom line- with a change of political power in Japan for the first time in 54 years, there is concern that America's "strongest alliance" could be facing a shift. These concerns came to the forefront on Monday after an article written by Yukio Hatoyama, head of the newly-elected Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) was translated- in the article, Hatoyama charged that Japan's economy was the victim of "the victim of American-inspired free-market fundamentalism." He is now back-pedaling, saying that the article was never meant to come out in English.
Prof. Green's take- hold off on any widespread conclusions on what the DPJ will do with the US alliance based solely on campaign rhetoric, etc...they're still working on figuring it out.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Invited to my first Japanese wedding!!
As most of you know, I studied abroad in Japan for sophomore year of high school. I lived with a wonderful family in Kobe for 11 months, named the Shimizu's. My host brother, Ari, ended up spending the following year studying abroad at my high school in Austin.
Ari's oldest sister, Yukari, is getting married in Kobe at the beginning of October. The Shimizu family called me today (first Ari, then my host mother, father, and Yukari) to invite me to the wedding, tell me that I could stay with them, and that they would cover my travel expenses. I hadn't been able to get into touch with any of them until now because their home phone has been disconnected (but they were able to see that I've tried to call them a few times since arriving a month ago), and they gave me my host mom's phone # and told me that if I needed anything at all to let them know.
Such nice people :-)
Easy thing about Japan with wedding gifts- you just bring cash in a ceremonial envelope! Instead of worrying about the relative advantages of getting them a fruitcake or a toaster, I just hand them cash. The interesting part comes, however, in determining how much to give them. In Tokushima, relatives of the couple will usually give 20,000-30,000 yen, or about $200-300. Having lived with them for 11 months, I'm assuming I qualify for this category :-) Friends will usually give the equivalent of about $100-$200.
Ari's oldest sister, Yukari, is getting married in Kobe at the beginning of October. The Shimizu family called me today (first Ari, then my host mother, father, and Yukari) to invite me to the wedding, tell me that I could stay with them, and that they would cover my travel expenses. I hadn't been able to get into touch with any of them until now because their home phone has been disconnected (but they were able to see that I've tried to call them a few times since arriving a month ago), and they gave me my host mom's phone # and told me that if I needed anything at all to let them know.
Such nice people :-)
Easy thing about Japan with wedding gifts- you just bring cash in a ceremonial envelope! Instead of worrying about the relative advantages of getting them a fruitcake or a toaster, I just hand them cash. The interesting part comes, however, in determining how much to give them. In Tokushima, relatives of the couple will usually give 20,000-30,000 yen, or about $200-300. Having lived with them for 11 months, I'm assuming I qualify for this category :-) Friends will usually give the equivalent of about $100-$200.
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