Next stop: Korea

Our flight home to Hawaii had an 8 hour layover at Incheon Airport, in South Korea. I've never been to Korea before so I was pretty excited. We weren't allowed to leave the airport but since Incheon is actually a huge mall, filled with omiyage stores, culture corners, and high end shops, I really didn't mind. Instead of sleeping for eight hours, we decided to walk around the mall for a couple hours, talk on skype for another couple, build desks at a culture corner, oh, and throw in two meals. Not such a bad layover.
The culture corners are filled with Korean art, such as sculptures, books, photographs, and clothing. At every corner there are two to three women dressed in traditional Korean garb. They invite foreigners to come in and make something for free. The station we were at had materials to make either a paper lamp or wooden desk. We opted to build the desk.

Finished product, the desk I made at one of the culture corners.

Lunch for one. Spicy and delicious!

I take pictures of Coca-Cola cans and bottles because my mom is a huge fan.

I thought this size was pretty neat.

It was a good stop, filled with good food. My only recommendation is to not buy alcohol at the airport. If you're flying Korean Air, they serve free wine on the flight. We learned the hard way by buying two Asahi beers before our flight. It cost $15 total, for two cans of beer. We forgot it was "imported". Bleh...

It's beginning to look a lot like....

CHRISTMAS!!

Being a country that doesn't celebrate Christmas, I didn't think Japan in December would impress me. Boy was I wrong. Japanese people go ga-ga over Christmas, especially over decorations and lights. Except, they use the word 'illuminations' for lights, which makes perfect sense, and sounds more Christmasy if you ask me. In Japan, Christmas is usually spent with your friends or your significant other. Unlike in America where we spent it with our families. I wasn't able to spend Christmas in Japan but I am hoping to in 2010.
Here's a little glipse of how beautiful it is in Japan, during the winter season. Did I mention it snows??

Christmas illuminations in Tenjin.

Illuminations at Canal City.

Fukuoka Motor Show

Grand Sumo Tournament

The Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament is held every November at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center, in Hakata. Tickets range in prices, but lucky for us gaijin (foreigners), we got a good price on some nose bleed seats. We waited for a good hour or so for the sumo wrestlers to walk into the building. We noticed other people doing it so we thought it was a good idea. The sumos then walk into the building, and the people waiting cheer them on before the tourney starts. We were able to see one of the Yokozuna, Hakuho, walk in with his entourage.

The tournament lasted for about three hours, with the two Yokozuna fighting at the end. Hakuho beat his apponent, while Asashoryu lost.

Hakuho waiting to defeat his opponent while the sponsers make their appearance.

I've always wanted to see a sumo tournament live and never thought I would get the opportunity. Japan has so many beautiful aspects to it's culture and so many resources that provide endless possibilities to those willing to experience them.

Makeshift Thanksgiving

First Thanksgiving in Japan.

This year's Thanksgiving dinner was held in my jutaku, and featured Asian and American dishes. Kim is from Taiwan and cooked up some delicious Taiwanese sausage. Turkey was no where to be found in Fukuoka so we bought chicken from Mitsukoshi, how fancy schmancy! We also made an excellent salad. Dinner was a success, but it's hard to beat a huge feast cooked with family.

Fukuoka Tower

I really lucked out by getting placed in Nishijin. Not only is it on the subway line, but it also houses a Fukuoka landmark, the Fukuoka Tower. The tower is located a fifteen minute bike ride away from my apartment, right next to Momochi Beach. It's also right next to a famous soft-cream/crepe shop. At the top of tower, you can get a 360 degree panoramic view of the city. The tower itself is pretty old and doesn't have much inside but if you're in the area, it's definitely a stop to make. The views will make up for it's lack of interesting details inside. From the top, you get a great view of Hakata Bay, all the way out to Uminonakamichi, and you can also spot the Ferris Wheel at the Evergreen Marinoa (Kyushu's largest outlet mall). Plus it only costs a mere ￥800 yen to go to the top!

View from the top.

Saga International Balloon Fiesta

Thanks to all of the advertisements on the subways and trains, I learned about the International Balloon Fiesta. It's located in Saga, where, from Nishijin, you must take a subway, a train, then a very very local train to get to the site. The fiesta doesn't stay in one place for too long, so if you're planning to go, make sure to plan in advance. This year it only lasted from Oct. 30-Nov. 3. The day I chose to go on was extremely sunny, which is perfect weather for picture taking. Unfortunately, everyone else thought it was perfect weather too, so the site was packed!

The balloons vary in sizes and colors. Some are just for decoration and entertainment, while others are used as advertisements. Locals are not allowed to ride in the balloons, but if you're lucky, the balloon operaters will let you climb up on one for a quick pic (I'm sure it helps if you have a small child with you). There are several dozen food and omiyage booths set up. Choose wisely, because more than likely, your train ride back will be cramped.

my very first ENKAI!

Enkai/えんかい：banquet; work party

Two words to describe my very first enkai: interesting and expensive.

After a rocky beginning with our coworkers, Kim (the other new ALT in my office, and my next door neighbor) and I were surprised that they decided to throw us a welcoming party. We figured that since they didn't seem to like us or try to get to know us that they wouldn't want to eat with us. But we thought wrong. The dinner was in the shopping district of Fukuoka City and since Kim and I both la-la-looove Korean food, it was at a Korean restaurant named Tamon/たもん. Everyone was on their best behavior and enjoying themselves. I'm sure it didn't hurt that everyone was drinking.
It was a delicious six course meal consisting of a nice salad, kim chee appetizers, fried and peppered chicken wings, three types of spicy nabe (motsu, kalbi, and seafood), chicken wraps, and three HUGE bibimbaps. We definitely got our fill of Korean food. The restaurant was top-notch and very pricy, luckily it was free for Kim and I since we were the honorary guests! Cheers!

One of the big bosses mixing the big bibimbap.



The entire office (minus Kajiurasan) outside of Tamon Restaurant

the LIST.

Here is a list of all the new and crazy foods I've been trying in Japan. I'll be updating it frequently!

• uni (sea urchin)
• motsu nabe (cow intestines)
• red shell (mollusk)
• fish spine chips
• mentaiko (marinated fish eggs)
• kuro buta (black pig)

SILVER WEEK in KAGOSHIMA + MIYAZAKI

September 19-23

As first year JETs, we really got lucky that THREE public holidays all fell in a row, making it a FIVE-DAY WEEKEND. The three holidays were 'Respect for the Aged Day', 'National Holiday', and 'Autumnal Equinox Day'. Barrett and I took a couple local trains and a shinkansen (bullet train) to visit neighboring prefectures, Miyazaki and Kagoshima. Both are located on the island of Kyushu.

With not much open in Miyazaki (due to the holidays), our explorations were limited and we ended up not being able to do anything we originally planned (Takachiho Gorge) . We visited Aoshima Beach where there was a surf contest going on and we were able to meet up with some friends for dinner.

Aoshima Beach, Miyazaki.

Kagoshima, on the other hand, was amazing! Not only was the food unforgettable but there was tons of shopping and our hotel was spectacular. Not to mention, we actually did something we had planned to do, which was visiting an onsen for the very first time! We took a ferry to Sakurajima Island so we could visit a specific onsen we had in mind. Furusato Onsen sits at the bottom of Mt. Sakurajima, an active volcano. The onsen is co-ed, where the women and men wear a yukata (robe) into the hot bath. I'd have to say that it was a definite highlight of the trip. The onsen is located right next to the ocean so it feels extremely calm and peaceful, just like those infinity pools (but better!). Thinking it was going to cost a pretty penny, I was surprised that a day at the onsen only costs ¥1000 which is equivalent to $10. Not bad to take a hot bath and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

The must eat foods in Kagoshima are kuro buta (black pig) and shirokuma (shaved ice with milk and fruits).

In my yukata @ Furusato Onsen, Sakurajima. The onsen overlooks the ocean and is naturally heated by the heat from Mt.Sakurajima.


The BEST kurobuta katsu in the world!

Hakata Ramen

Best ramen, thus far.

According to answers.com Hakata ramen...

originates from the Hakata district of Fukuoka city. It has a rich, milky, pork-bone tonkotsu broth and rather thin, non-curly and resilient noodles. Ramen stalls in Hakata and Tenjin are well-known within Japan. Recent ramen trends have made Hakata ramen one of the most popular types of ramen in Japan, and these days several chain restaurants specializing in Hakata ramen can be found all over the country.

Living in Nishijin, Fukuoka, and being on the Kuko line of the subway system makes it very easy to commute to Hakata for an excellent bowl of ramen. Hakata is only 15 minutes away, on the subway. There is also an Ichiran that just opened near my apartment in Nishijin which is even more convenient! I probably flavor Ichiran over any other Hakata ramen restaurant because they're not only close by but they have great service and also serve a 'special' Ichiran hot sauce that gives the ramen a nice zing! I've become such a fan that I now order half a bowl of extra noodles with my ramen. haha

Yakitori Festival in Kurume!

Food on sticks. Yummy food on sticks.

Yukuhashi Festival (行橋まつり！)

Another first! My very first time at a Japanese festival (other than the Honpa Hongwanji Bon Dance in Hawaii). This was Yukuhashi's yearly festival, filled with food booths and fireworks, all along the river. It seemed like the whole town was there. The firework show seemed to go on forever, it was a huge production! Good food, nice people, and beautiful fireworks, what more could you ask for?

STAMP, STAMP, STAMP, approved!

As mentioned in a previous post, Japan uses stamps for everything! Anything official or semi-important will have a million and one stamps on it. This stamp box is currently placed on my desk in the Kencho building. Bosses and such will come over to my desk, and fumble around this chest of treasures to find the exact stamp they are looking for. I find it completely backwards that Japan still uses stamps. Do they think it's unique? or authentic? What is it about stamps that make them so official? I would like to know the answers, seriously.

Baseball (やきゅ!)

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks v. Saitama Seibu Lions

After going to my very first professional baseball game in Japan, I can now understand why people say it is nothing like the United State's Major League. For the most part, their game rituals are much more intense and crowd pleasing. They have so many songs, chants, dancers/cheerleaders, it's insane. And with all of the balloons they use, it seems more like a birthday party than a baseball game. Since I signed up for an iPhone with SoftBank, they gave me two free tickets to a SoftBank Hawks Baseball game. I lucked out by getting tickets for a week day because my seats got upgraded! Thanks, SoftBank!
There is a 7th inning ritual where everyone, and i mean EVERYONE, in the stands blows up large balloons. At the end of the inning, the fans let go of their balloons, it was definitely the highlight of the game. What was the score you ask? 1-1, finishing after 10 pm, and going all the way into the 12th inning, that's how we do it here in Japan.

じゅたく part 1!

After religiously emailing my predecessor back and forth about the ins and outs of working and living in Japan, she led to believe that my apartment was going to be rather new. Usually a successor just takes over the apartment that their predecessor lives in but this was not the case for me. My predecessors apartment (or Jutaku) was so old that it was going to be torn down in the next few years so I was under the impression that the apartment I would be living in would be much newer. NOPE! Wrong-o! My apartment building is forty something years old, and the only thing new were the tatami mats. It is located in a decently affluent area but at night it gets pretty scary since there are no lights. My apartment is on the third floor, no elevators, no screens, no nada! Sometimes it feels like camping with the heat, the bugs, the smells. The apartment wreaked of new tatami smell but thanks to six or seven air fresheners and fans, the smell was gone in a few days. My predecessor didn't leave me with a bed so I was left bedless for a week or so. That is, until I bought my BLACK DOUBLE FUTON from Don Quijote! Best purchase yet! Yes, it's a futon so that means I sleep ON the floor. I figured since I already have 3 tatami rooms, a gas stove, a gas furo, and ceilings so low my Dad couldn't come in, that I'd go all out! Why not, I'm embracing this experience and getting in touch with my roots. Plus, Costco was too expensive to deliver a REAL bed. So here it is!! Come on in!

The entrance to my apartment.

Don't let that shiny coat of paint fool you, it's completely rusted and 'nastied out' on the other side.


Ahh the bedroom. This would be my DOUBLE BLACK FUTON from Don Q.



Kitchen.
The door leads to my balcony, which holds my washer, which is currently broken.

Home sweet home. This will conclude Jutaku part 1. Pictures of my dressing room, living room, and bathroom will be included in part 2!

Welcome to JET, JAPAN, and FUKUOKA!

As soon as I stepped foot onto the 8th floor of the Kencho building (Private Schools Divisions of the Fukuoka Government) I was told I would need an inkan if I wanted anything in this country. I had no idea what they were talking about but in between their broken English and a few recognizable Japanese words I kept hearing 'inkan, inkan, impooo-tant'. So later that day, supervisor took me to a stamp shop that would make me my inkan! At first I was rather excited but then I realized that my last name would have to be used (rather than my middle name, which IS Japanese). My supervisor informed me that my inkan would have to be in Katakana rather than Kanji. I hesitantly wrote my name バーゲット on a piece of paper then handed it to the worker. He looked confused but up for the challenge. The next day my inkan was finished and I was able to 'stamp' and sign important documents regarding working in Japan. I was also able to sign up for Yahoo BB (Internet), and get my iPhone! Gotta love that inkan!