Category Archives: City Life

City Life, Tama City

Crazy Day in Akihabara

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Crazy in Akihabara

For the Tokyo Metropolitan tour, among many different choices, I decided to go to Ueno and Akihabara, the street of “otaku”. After a walk in Ueno Park, where we saw a Japanese person in a Scottish kilt playing a Chinese game, our stomachs needed food. So we went for lunch at a spaghetti restaurant! Japanese spaghetti is not the same as the Italian one, but I have to confess, it was not so bad!

After lunch, we went to Akihabara, where we discovered a crazy world created by manga addicts, cosplayers and cute maids. All of us wanted a picture with a sweet maid who was selling sweets, but she would not agree to unless one of us bought something. So then, one of the Chuo University students who came with us bought dorayaki for everybody and the maid cast a spell on them…kawaiiiii! Lastly, we enjoyed the Akihabara atmosphere by walking in the crowded street, going into manga and anime shops, trying cosplay costumes and visiting a nine floor shop of electronic goods… But the most important thing is that I really had a lot of fun with my new friends!! Thank you guys 🙂

(Adriana Sanzone, Italy)

City Life, Our participants, Tama City

Personal Day in Tokyo!

Personal Day at Tsukiji


Personal Day at Bean Shop

More fun stuff from the tour!　

Every day is packed full of fun programs during the tour. But other than those programs, we have a personal day that we arrange by ourselves and get the opportunity to enjoy the city on our own. Even though I’m Japanese, there are still many places where I haven’t been to in my country.

In Tama city, I took this opportunity to have a small trip to Tsukiji, Shimokitazawa, and Roppongi with Janice, who is from the U.S. In the very warm sun, we had a lot of fun looking around stores in Tsukiji, trying to eat many different things, taking pictures, and especially we relished the awesome Salmon roe bowl.

The unplanned personal day can be fun and at the same time cause problems. Our mistake was that we bought a round trip ticket from the nearest station to central Tokyo and the free pass ticket of Tokyo Metro. The problem was, Tokyo Metro doesn’t go to Shimokitazawa from Tsukiji. Instead, it could take us only to Yoyogi-uehara, so we had to take a long walk from Yoyogi-uehara to Shimokitazwa. An employee at the station told us that it would take about 20 minutes, but it took much more than that, an hour! In addition, when we thought we had finally arrived at Shimokitazawa, we realized we had passed Shimokitazawa and actually arrived at the next station. We had to pay for another train ticket BACK to Shimokitazawa station which was the same amount that we paid for two GariGari-kuns while we were walking. But it was a good memory anyway. We had fun in doing window shopping in Shimokitazawa.

After that, we headed to Roppongi. Then we got together with Yuki Yoshida, who used to be on staff with the 3rd tour of World Campus – Japan. Reunion with former staff and participants in the city is also fun during the tour. We ate together and spent a good time with them talking about the old days and this program.

Personal day is only one day each tour city and despite it being an off day, it can be more tiring than daily programs. But, it is perfect for refreshing my feelings. I feel like I will make my days worthwhile and fun with the members of WCI and people in Tama city again starting tomorrow.

(Rie Hayase, Japan)

City Life, City Theme Activities, Tama City

Visit to Challenged Students School

Doraemon Dance with Students

I went to a school for the handicap and I had a really good time there. I felt many emotions with the kids, as it was my first time visiting such a place. I didn’t feel nervous when we were waiting, but then I got nervous when I finally met the students. The kids were so lovely but some of them were shy, and some of them really have the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. However, I found it hard to smile back. I felt sorry for them but I didn’t want to feel that way, I wanted to treat them like “normal” people. I learned a lot from them. Initially, I thought that my purpose there that day was to make them happy, but in the end, they made me feel happiness. This was a great experience for me to see more about this world, I will take this memory with me and I cannot wait to share this story with my parents in Taiwan and friends back in New Zealand, where I am currently studying.

(Yulin Chou, Taiwan)

City Life, City Theme Activities, Tama City

Interaction with Baby Boomers of Tama City

Gaby in Yukata

Today, we went to Parthenon Tama to have a potluck party with the TIC members.

After getting to know each other over lunch, the TIC members showed us the traditional activities of Japan. We partook in Shogi, Igo, Soroban, Koma-mawashi, Origami, Sado, Bozu-mekuri, Furoshiki and wearing yukata. I was so happy to have the chance to wear a yukata. It is complicated to wear, but I was very excited and it was so beautiful.

Afterward, I played with a Koma-mawashi, which is spinning a top afterward. A nice gentleman gave me great details on how to spin the top, but I failed six times. All the people felt pity for us, but when I finally accomplished my goal, everyone became happy and cheered! I really enjoyed the cordial atmosphere. Lastly, the baby boomers invited me to play the Bozu-mekuri (Japanese traditional card game), It is similar to one of the Chinese card game, you will never know if you will win or lose the game till the end. I was happy to be with TIC to experience such a joyful time.

(Xury Pan, China)

Bon Odori with Baby Boomers
Interaction Day with Baby Boomers
City Life, Omura City, Tama City

We have arrived in Tama!

Going to Tama by Bus

Although we’ve only spent a week in Omura, Nagasaki, it was hard for all the World Campus International members to say good-bye to our very first host families. However, we must continue with the tour and switch our minds from the peaceful country side of Omura to the fast-paced city life of Tokyo! So, after a short flight from Nagasaki, Kyushu to Haneda Airport, we have finally arrived in Tama, the heart of Tokyo!