Japan Meets Andrew Marston

For natsuyasumi (summer vacation) I went to Tokyo for about 10 days. The third of three videos, this ACT III briefly covers our outing to a Shabu Shabu restaurant. A pricey but delicious meal, at Shabu Shabu you get vegetables and meat from a buffet line/area and cook it in hot water, broth, or sauces at your table.

For more on Shabu Shabu (because I know you’re all chomping at the bit to prepare for Shabu Shabu Trivial Pursuit) here’s the wikipedia page (yes, there is one) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabu-shabu

Today is kind of a big day. The second half of my initial round trip tickets to and from Japan for the summer departed from Narita airport in Tokyo today. I was not on the flight. This marks not only the most expensive flight I’ve ever foregone, but also mentally cements the permanence of my residence in Japan. It’s a good feeling to be stuck in the place I most want to be. *smile*

Also, I found some more photos from my camping trip that I forgot to upload before. It was a toss up how to edit the first picture, so I uploaded bother versions. I’m slightly partial to the more colorful version, but they both have some good qualities I think.

So, on to the topic at hand, the schdule of the Japanese school system. Unlike America, where one massive 10 week break is taken in the middle of summer, the Japanese take two 4 week breaks at the front and back of summer. The end of April the brings the first day of the first semester. During late July and August, another break is taken called Natsuyasumi (natsu = summer, yasumi = break/rest). Pretty much straight through until a few days after Christmas the students are in session except for an occasional national holiday like Ocean Day or something for which they might have a festival. After Christmas is a shorter two week (more or less) break and then back to work until the end of March. Sidenote: There is school on Christmas. Also, during vacations kids have a large amount of homework which is due the first day back. Kind of a bummer.

Elementary school is composed of 6 years.

Junior high, 3 years. High school, 3 more years.

Another large aspect of school is the clubs afterward. A majority of high school students are part of either a club sport (equivalent to American Varisty sports) such as Kendo, Judo, Baseball, Soccer, etc… or some other club such as Brass Band, Tea Ceremony, or Hiking. Many high school students don’t arrive home until well after six or seven o’clock when they start homework. To be open, their discipline is unmatched by American high schools. I can’t speak to high schools in other English speaking countries, however, generally Japanese students grades K through 12 are either motivated or somewhat forced to devote themselves to their studies and activities than those in America.

Thanks for tuning in. Look for more youtube Videos and photos.

This coming weekend I’m climbing a mountain with the hiking club and camping on the peak. Should be really amazing and I hope to bring back footage and photos.

Double Peace Sign.

The second of three videos about my trip to Tokyo over the recent school summer holiday (called natsuyasumi; natsu = summer, yasumi = break/rest)

This is the first of several videos from my recent vacation to Tokyo.

Before moving from Tokyo to Kitakyushu Japan, the Okuras, Kotani Masa, and the ground crew went for Kaiten-zushi ( (回転寿司) aka Conveyor belt sushi. Between the six of us we had 60 plates. My favorite was eel or tuna.
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During one of my days off before I left camp, I went solo camping in the mountains surrounding Mt. Mitake in western Tokyo. It was very beautiful.

Later, on the second day, I met up with my friends Kristy and Brian to explore Kichijoji, Tokyo. I discovered the joys of Katsudon, a dish you will see in the video. Also waded through endless technology in Yodobashi Camera. A famous department store.

// Yes, i misspelled Kichijoji in the video. and yes, I am too lazy to change it. //

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Later.