Friday, September 30, 2011

Kappa Zushi/etc


Times have been very busy! I apologize for the lack of updates, I've just been bombarded with tests these last few weeks >_> Anyway, one thing I actually had time to go to was Kaiten zushi(conveyer-belt sushi) at a place called Kappa Zushi. This place is AWESOME! We had to wait like 30 minutes to be seated, but it was so worth it. This just shows how high-tech Japan is; they have a conveyer belt that delivers random sushi plates (tuna, salmon, egg, inari-zushi,etc), and people  choose what they want and take the plate. And at around 105 yen a plate, it's not so expensive either. They even have a touch screen which enables you to specially order something(say you haven't seen it going around in a while), which is delivered on a little shinkansen(bullet train) dish! My favorite is definitely corn/mayo sushi, with inarizushi as a close second. And tamago...
I also had the chance to look around a Japanese fabric store called ABC Craft. If you know me at all, you probably won't be surprised to hear that I spent probably an hour touching fabrics and picking out ones to buy. Even without a machine, I've decided I'll at least hand-sew bows and tiny accessory things. You can see my findings and the first bow I've made in my photo-stream =)
Anyway, this Sunday I'm going to visit my weekend host-family's house, so hopefully I'll have more to talk about later!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Mexico Festival!

Since Monday was a holiday here in Japan(respect for the aged day, or 敬老の日), my weekend-family partner, Sena, invited me to a Mexican festival in Umeda! However, getting to the festival proved to be a difficult task... Lost in Japan Epic Adventure Time!!!

OK , so the station is basically a straight line away from our school's main entrance. However, in an attempt to retrieve my bicycle from the lot on campus(stupid idea, the whole school was closed for the holiday), I went in a straight line from the east entrance, which brought me to the electronic store Midori. Reading the signs, I decided to turn right and head towards central Osaka. The path looked unfamiliar, but I decided to trek it anyway. I passed endless car dealerships, a Uniqlo(score!), a cheap dvd store, and somehow ended up winding through an elementary school and then finally arriving at a shrine.Thank goodness I had my minnie mouse water bottle! Anyway, when I finally thought I would give up and head back home, the gods sent me a sign. 'Nose Ride', the Hawaiian restaurant close to campus. I basically ended up walking in a circle >_> For an hour.... After that, just a 40 minute
walk to Hirakata station. A train and subway ride later, I ended up in Umeda!(note to self, get off at Kyobashi instead of Yodoyabashi next time).

I met up with my weekend partner and her friends, and we went to the festival! I bought an onigiri beforehand because I knew the food would be expensive and not likely vegetarian-friendly. The festival was soooo much fun! We danced to Mexican music (why do I still remember the lyrics to 'el rey?) walked around little tents selling Mexican items and contemplated buying 300 yen shots of tequila(legal! but a little expensive). I even met Sena's mom! They want me to go to their house one day =)
Then it rained on our parade =( so we rushed back to the station,  bought a warm milk tea from Excelsior and fled back home to study for my kanji quiz. Fun times! I'm meeting so many people here, I can't even keep track! But I'm excited to go on more and more adventures and loving Japan just a bit more with each day!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Kaiyukan Aquarium

Ok, so this post is pretty belated, but the past few weeks have been rather stressful, and I haven;t quite adjusted to the Japanese lifestyle yet. Anyway , I went to the Kaiyukan aquarium in Osaka with my Japanese friends Kanae, Yoshimi, and Yui, as well as some of the international students ^^  Its website, as well as wikipedia, claim that it's one of the largest aquariums in the world, but I was told it was the largest. It has 8 floors with a wide range of sea creatures, including adorable otters, eels, manta rays, capybara(!!!) and WHALE SHARKS! It was quite an amazing  experience, aside from the fact that I was wearing high heels.


When we returned to the Hirakata station we took a ton of purikura! For those of you who don't know, this means we basically went into the most high-tech photo-booth in the world; one which enhances the size of your eyes and improves your complexion. You can add stamps, writing, and anything cute to the pictures which come out as stickers. 
The rest of the week was full of studying(fun!) and stress, but I think I'm finally starting to adjust to the Japanese lifestyle. Everything is expensive here, and the exchange rate is terrible, but those are things that can't be changed. And receiving a ton of packages from home on a regular basis definitely helps.
So far I've only been to Osaka, but I hope to go to Kyoto soon!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Weather in Kansai 関西の天気

Since I've arrived in Japan, I've noticed the weather is *very* hot and humid, much like back home in Florida. Seeing as how most of us walk 3-5 miles a day, this leads to dehydration and A LOT of sweat. When I get back from a day of walking to school, the Hirakata station, and back, I can't help but shower ASAP. And the mosquitoes here are unbearable! My legs and arms are covered with itchy bite marks. 
Currently, a typhoon is coming, and is expected to arrive this weekend. Our Kyoto tour has been canceled, and our opening ceremony may be as well =(
Today we got a taste of the typhoon weather; a drizzle that lasted until the afternoon and picked up again in the evening.  I've been told a typhoon is pretty similar to a hurricane, but it somehow feels different from Gainesville rain. Luckily, Typhoon no. 12 is not expected to affect us too terribly, but we're still advised to stay indoors if the weather gets too gross. Thus, I've stocked up on enough food to (hopefully) last me through the weekend. Some onigiri(riceballs), kimchi, udon, nori, microwaveable rice, and a lot of sweet bread. Japan has really yummy bread products, which are usually sweet and filled with yummy things such as melon cream and red bean paste. I like it all! But I'm concerned about my diet changes here. I only consume fruit in the form of juice, and I always have to ask people at shops and restaurants if certain foods are vegetarian.  Like, today a group of us went to a donburi(rice ball) shop, and the chef made me a special bowl with extra tempura veggies that wasn't on the menu! >__> It made me feel sad about the no-tipping rule in Japan.
I hope the typhoon doesn't hit us too hard so we can go to karaoke tomorrow! All my home-stay friends are leaving soon, so it might be our last chance to hang out around the dorms for a while. I'll miss them!