Okay I’m gonna start with the cows because you’re probably thinking “anna what the actual” and yeah, that’s valid, but trust me yall. These cows were epic. Have you ever seen a samurai and ninja cow playing the drums? No. I didn’t think so. You’re welcome. (We went to the arcade after going to the Ghibli Cafe in Osu and it was very fun aside from the fact that I’m very bad at the claw machines.) Okay so at Ghibli Cafe I got a mocktail with raspberry and blueberries (but I’m allergic lol) and soda water and something else but I forgot and it was delicious! I also got the pie and a dessert from Kiki’s Delivery Service and IT WAS EXQUISITE.

In Kyoto I went to the bath house and an onsen for the first time! Honestly, it took me a while to kind of get over myself as nude culture in the U.S. is virtually non-existent in the non sexual context. We grow up and are made to believe that our bodies are shameful and to keep it to ourselves, but I knew I really wanted to try it (because when are you going to be in Japan again for a little while) and aside from initial discomfort I really enjoyed it! When we went to the onsen up in the mountains it was raining and it was sooo peaceful because for most of the time, we had it to ourselves. I like in the public baths the variety in baths. I really like going from the hot to the cold and back and forth the whole time. This is something that I’ll really miss back in the U.S.

This past weekend I had my family friends come visit me from Tokyo. They arrived on Saturday afternoon and we went to Nagoya Castle. It was a very rainy weather that day but I did get a photo with Ieyasu Tokugawa! After that we went to the Teppanyaki restaurant on the top floor in Sakae. It was amazing! We had a chef cook for three of us a course of 5 dishes which included chicken, fish, oyster, beef stake and rice. It was the most delicious food that I have had in a long time! After that we went to a famous chicken wing place and I enjoyed some Nagoya style wings.

The next day we drove to Mie prefecture to see the Ise Shrine complex. We have visited Toyouke Daijingu and Ise Jingu. After that we walked some old streets and had lunch at a famous local Udon-ya Fukusuke restaurant with soft udon noodles. Overall, the weekend went very well and I was very happy to see my friends!

During the third week in Japan our class took a 5-day trip to Kyoto. I really loved the city with its old architecture and beautiful surroundings. Every day we explored new locations and tried different kinds of food. The highlight of the trip was going to Arashiyama and exploring the district there. I enjoyed a group lunch at Tenryu-ji temple, dishes at which were solely made out of vegetables. After lunch, Breanna and I headed to the Bamboo forest. It was a rainy weather but the forest looked fascinating! We hiked to the top of the hill and enjoyed a very nice view of the river and mountains. We met a group of tourists from England and has a nice chat, too. On our way back to the street, we saw wild monkeys on the side of the road. We couldn’t get too close and I still didn’t get used to seeing monkeys in the wild. In the evening we went to downtown of Kyoto and shopped at the Nishiki Market. We also stopped by a desert place and got a huge bowl of shaved match ice cream which was sooooo delicious!

pancakes and sciences

In the morning, me Mariana, Ady, Anna and Abigail went to Elk, a fluffy pancake place. I tried the strawberry Mont Blanc pancakes. They were delicious. From the ice cream on the side to the topping and the batter of the pancakes, they were perfect.

After these pancakes, Mariana and I went to the Nagoya Science Museum. There were exhibits on close to everything. We saw the inside of a vending machine and made bubbles that were bigger than us. We saw a planetarium show and saw constellations in the sky. Overall, it was a great day!

We just finished up our last class yesterday and I only have my paper and presentation left. I’ve enjoyed the classes and readings but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m happy to be done with the quantity of readings.

This week I really enjoyed the group meal and the conversation with the Nanzan students, as well some other solo exploration. The Kyoto trip was very fun and I enjoyed it a lot but I’m happy to be back in Nagoya. The abundance of tourists back in Kyoto was a little too much for me, I like the way that things run in Nagoya a bit better.

I really enjoyed the trip to Ghibli Park. I haven’t seen a lot of the movies so I definitely missed out on some of the immersion, however, I still really enjoyed the park. I also tried Mos Burger for the first time, and I’d give it a 6.5/10. Out of all the fast food I’ve tried while here I’d say Wendy’s was the best, McDonalds in the middle, and Mos Burger at the bottom.

I’m looking forward to getting finished with my project and finishing up the program.

On one of the Sundays, Basil, Juniper, Breanna, and I have visited the Higashiyama Zoo. It was a great sunny day and not too crowded. The first things we saw when we came in was a huge rhino drinking water from the sprinklers near the fence. He was very funny and tried to get water on his body too. It was quite entertaining to watch the animal enjoy water and attention from people. My favorite were tigers. One of them stared at me for some time and then stood up and walked to the other cage through the corridor above us. We have also visited the gardens near the zoo. We saw a lot of blooming roses but not many other flowers. Overall, it was a great day to spend outside observing animals!

My favorite part of the Kyoto trip was going to Arashiyama. Although it was very rainy and my shoes were completely soaked by the end of the day I enjoyed it. I liked the bamboo grove but my favorite part was getting gelato and seeing the monkeys.

The sakura mochi flavor was so creamy and nice, I nearly got another one on the way back. And although Basil and I had to speed-run the hike to the monkeys because they were going to close the top of the mountain soon, the misty view and monkeys were worth it. And we made it with plenty of time to enjoy it.

Then we went back downtown and went to Omen for dinner and had some delicious udon! They arranged it like a work of art.

Also I cant fail to mention the new goods I got this week of my top girl, Miku! I was actually floored when I saw this Snow Miku figure in-person (the box looks like a magic book-it is so cuteee), I am so happy I can add her to my collection; and the organization of the store was great again, such a neat selection of Miku Nendoroids! Surugaya remains peak.

And Vivid Bad Squad Miku fuwa plush. ^-^

Visiting the Ghibli Park has been one of the most wholesome experiences I’ve had here. Gorwing up I used to watch Totoro daily! So the experience od walking into Mei and Satsuki’s house was so amazing! I fet like a little kid again it was awesome.

( ^ ᴗ ^ )

This first week in Nagoya has been really lovely. One thing that has really stood out to me (and something I deeply admire) is the consistent respect people show one another here. Whether it’s a brief exchange or just passing by someone, there’s a noticeable sense of mutual regard in every interaction I’ve had.

What especially confirmed this for me were small gestures, like the head nods people give during even the briefest encounters, and the way they hand things to you using both hands. From an outsider’s perspective, these actions feel like expressions of intentionality and genuine respect.

It’s been both heartwarming and inspiring to witness—reminding me that every interaction matters, and that simple acts of kindness and respect can make a big difference.

Also, here are some beautiful flowers I saw!

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