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Before coming to Japan my winters consisted of few rainy days, snow once every seven years, and flip flops. I mean, in SUNNY California especially in the the northern, valley, snow was considered a special treat. Upon coming to Japan, I now know what seasons really are. From the first snow during the first week in December, until this PAST TUESDAY (March 28...are you kidding me!) I now have decent idea of what it is to live in snow! In a place where central heating is scarce and I have paper walls, I am ready for this winter business to be over (that is until next year, as many of you know or don't know, I am staying a second year in Japan!) As the temperatures dropped and the days were shorter it was no longer as much fun to go outside and that cabin fever started to set in.

Winter Fun in Japan!!!

Casey Lary
2006-10-06 17:45:26

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American schools that finish in May/June, the end of the Japanese High School Year is the middle of March. At this time, students also find out if they get into the colleges they want to. If you go to shrines many students have gone and tied wishes to branches and strings at the temple, hoping the gods/nature will help them get into their desired school. Mid-March I also go to experience my first graduation at Kabe Koko. Very unlike the American ceremonies. No caps and gowns, no beach balls or tortillas flying through the air. It was all rather serious. The third year students and their homeroom teachers all wore corsages to identify them. The ceremony involved a lot of bows, and a lot of serious talking. My graduation also caused quite a stir as one teacher refused to stand during the Japanese National Anthem bc she disagreed with the lyrics referring to Japan's imperial motives- which has caused quite a stir at school and throughout Hiroshima. Kabe's getting put on the map. After the ceremony everyone hugs and cries and gets all emotional. Its almost like if you DON'T cry something is wrong with you. I also felt like a celebrity as many students want to take photos with me. I better watch out bc some of those cute third grade boys are now of age and will be out at the same places I am. An unnamed source said "Make sure I don't make out with one of your students next year..."

8. Enkais
With graduation comes end of the year/farewell parties. Mine was kind of a bore, especially because all the homeroom teachers got up and acted like they had one an oscar or something. Yet I did have fun with Kamura-sensei. Kamura means crown, so I call him the king, in reference to Elvis...mind you this guy is like 70. Also my favorite Japanese friend is moving to Tokyo to be a flight attendant so we have a great going away party for her.

9. St Patricks Day!
Yes not a very big holiday in Japan, but we still managed to wear green and celebrated. My efforts to drink green beer failed due to my inability to find green food coloring. Next Year!

10. Visitors!
Jeff had some friends visit from college. Also Lisa's friend Logan was visiting from Australia. Whenever there is visitors we have to show them a good time! Misha's KONBANWA will forever be ringing through my ears. Once again, through Jeff's 2 friends who are on a trek from Japan to Spain..proves that Berkeley is going to take over the world. Go Bears.

11. Become Artistic
So as JETs we have quite a bit of our time....too much. If you are bored definitely check ou this video, the ALT rap. or the cartoon on my blog that someone drew which perfectly encompasses some of the men on JET. The alt rap (dozo yoroshiko onegaishimaus...kinda catchy!) http://japanese.libsyn.com/media/japanese/altrapmusicvideo.m4v

12. Sightsee!
It's Japan, there will always be some festival or something famous going on. We managed to go to an oyster festival and hit up a samurai parade.

So if you get bored ever in Japan... here are some great new things to do in Japan during the winter months! Parts of winter were hard and it was hard to stay genki, but due to my great friends here I managed to be somewhat genki. Now I am ready for my parents to come, the beautiful cherry blossoms, and soon enough for those beer gardens to open up...man I really do enjoy living in Japan.