While the cherry blossom trees were in full bloom I returned to Tokyo and the Kansai area where I met some familiar faces. Also I visited the southern island of Okinawa for the first time.
How is it like to do research in Asia? Together with my coworker we have a dialogue about our research experience in Japan and South Korea.
Read about my second Japan Trip in Summer 2014. I traveled three weeks all around Japan – from Sapporo all the way to Kagoshima and back to Tokyo with many stops in between.
A simple guide to build a heated blanket table with parts you can find here for comfy vibes like in Japan.
In 2017 I spent half a year in Northern California as an exchange student. Many things were different at first but I enjoyed my time very much. How was it? And what did I do in my spare time?
The route coming from Beppu might not have been the shortest, but I still arrived just two hours later at the southernmost major city of Kyushu after taking the Shinkansen from the very north. I can hardly stop praising the excellent train service.
Moving to the northeastern part of Kyushu I arrived in Beppu, famous for its Onsen, using the Sonic limited express. With one transfer north of Fukuoka I needed two hours for the trip.
No city, company or touristic site is genuinely Japanese unless it has a mascot. For Kumamoto that is Kumamon.
The train ride with the Kamome (Seagull) limited express was quiet enjoyable. The cars had a parquet floor and leather seats, in addition the overhead shelves looked like the ones in airports. The weather changed for the bad and while travelling along the coast line, all I saw was a rainy coastline.
Fukuoka is not much a city for tourists but for shopping and living. While there are few cultural sites, the modern and vibrant city has much to offer besides.
Originally I planned to go to Kyoto on Sunday and visit Tottori on Monday. In the end I changed my plans for both days, so I could meet up with old friends.
On Saturday I went to Osaka, mainly because of the Magical Mirai concert I wanted to attend for a long time. Let me say so much in advance: it was great!
Let me tell you another episode of my life on how to turn bad luck into good one. Or how I will always arrive at my destination even when things go wrong.
Two hours from Noboribetsu the train arrived at its terminal station, Hakodate. It is possible to transfer to a different limited express heading to Honshu via an underground tunnel. The left train serves between Sapporo and Hakodate, the green one to Aomori on Honshu.
After the luxury dinner yesterday I retreated to my room in the fourth floor. A yukata and sandals (geta) were prepared for the onsen visit. I made particularly sure to wear it the correct way. After changing I went to the hotel next-door. First, it was a bit strange to walk outside like this, but I was readily joined by other onsen visitors.