おはようございます! Ohayo gozaimasu! Hello everyone, I'm back from Japan!

If you didn't know, I went to Japan for 8 days for a culture exchange program under JICE with the theme Peace Building. It was a splendid experience which I will never forget my whole life. Best decision I've ever made. I got the chance to meet a lot of new friends not only from Malaysia but also from the ASEAN countries, Timor Leste & India. I'm glad to share this experience with all of you readers through my blog. Enjoy!

DAY 1.

We arrived at Narita International Airport on the early morning of 14 February. By bus, off we go to check in to Dai-Ichi Hotel Tokyo & were given some time to rest before the orientation. Instead of napping, we took the chance to go for a walk around the area. Lucky us, Yokoamicho Park was literally located right next to our hotel! Beautiful park, great views.

We also walked a few kilometres just to take a group picture at Tokyo sky tree lol.

Back to the hotel, just in time for the orientation! We were separated into groups of 5. I'm in group A with Adam. We were provided with a handbook, a japanese conversation book and a packet of mask. After the welcome speech and all that, we had a group orientation. First time meeting all the other delegates from different countries! It was awkward at first but as time passed by we got along pretty well with each other. Our coordinators, Mika-san & Michiko-san were super nice as well. Lucky to have them

After that, we head off for dinner at a local restaurant. I was so excited to finally have a true japanese dinner in the most japanese way! lol. We also had our own ice cream session at Hobson's despite the windy & cold night thanks to Mr. Syakir.

DAY2

Moving on to the second day. <  Me that morning because I woke up late. Despite that, I was the first one to enter the hall with Adam for breakfast hahaha. We had breakfast in  each respective groups for the first time that morning. Right after breakfast, we were required to listen to a lecture from Professor Kazuyuki Sasaki. Basically, introduction to Japan, its culture and its history. Each group were also required to send 2 representatives in front to present something like "what comes to mind when you think of Japan". Adam drew pretty well so I had to go in front lol (Too bad theres no picture of Adam's drawing)

One of the participants mentioned PPAP hahahahaha. A lot of them mentioned Mount Fuji and Sakura.

After lunch, we went to Edo-Tokyo museum where we can see Tokyo during the Edo period. Fyi, Tokyo was formerly known as Edo back in the past. During Edo period, Tokugawa family was the one who control and rule Japan. While touring the museum, I met a Japanese girl who can speak Indonesian! Impressive! She approached me saying "Permisi, kamu dari Indonesia?" hahaha so cute. I told her I'm not and introduced her to Anggi instead.

Anyway, right after the museum tour, we were brought to Asakusa to visit the ever famous Sensoji Temple and for shopping. Yay!!!

Sensoji Temple (also known as Asakusa Kannon) is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo. 3 words to describe the temple ; Huge, Beautiful & Red. I must say that it is a popular spot for tourists  and of course, great place for souvenir-shopping XD We only had 2 hours to roam around Asakusa so that was pretty sad. Me and my Malaysian teammates were actually planning to go to Asakusa again that night but idk why we just ended up at McDonald lol.

DAY 3

Sadly we had to separate for 4 days. We all move out of Tokyo, group A to Hiroshima, B to Saga, C,D & E to Nagasaki. Early morning, after breakfast we(group A) went to Haneda Airport. It took us around 1 hour from Sumida by bus and another 1 hour from Haneda Airport to Hiroshima by plane. While we were at the airport, I was told to give a thanking speech at the exchange meeting. Phew. Was kinda freaked out but happy & thankful for this opportunity. Got off the plane and straight to Hiroshima Airport Hotel for a fancy lunch before moving on to Hiroshima Prefectural Kaita Senior High School. Because I made my speech half in English and half in Japanese, I thought I had to check my pronunciation with Mika-san. She said my pronounciation was perfect (OMG YAY) and that she can see how interested I am in Japan. She was surprised that I learned Japanese through youtube. I only learned the basics though.

Anyway, by 1:30 PM we were already at Kaita Senior High School, excited and ready for the exchange program! Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the teachers and students. We first went into a meeting room to meet Mr.Takefumi Mizoue,the Principal of the school and to hear his welcome speech. Moving on to their super huge gymnasium, the students warmly welcome us to their school. They were all standing in line, clapping as we enter the gym. That was awesome. I was blown away not only by their welcome but also their discipline. After the principal introduced us all, their school representative also stepped forward to give us a welcome speech, followed by our supervisor, Fads from Philippines' speech & Wina from Brunei 's speech. Finally for the most awaited activity, homeroom and study experience! Me and Milk from Thailand with our buddies Kiyoka & Yukaa from class 1-4. Guess what subject did we had to learn? Mathematics!!! Maths in Japanese omg. Lucky Adam got English class. Boooo. 

Milk can speak Japanese so I was kinda alone in the situation lol. So at first we introduce ourselves in front of the class and then we just sat while waiting for our Maths sensei. I felt so embarrassed because everyone was literally starring at us hahahaha. One boy did a few skits, trying to entertain us but he also ended up feeling all embarrassed hahahaha how cute. When sensei came in, everyone quickly went back to their own place. I noticed how they stand up, push their chair back in, stand next to the table and then greet the teacher. 

The lesson begins! Sensei gave out a one page hand out. Fully in japanese. MasyaAllah. He started drawing on the blackboard, explaining one by one. I was kinda lost but it was so nice of him to draw everything out (even the answers!) . He even did PPAP HAHAHAHA so funny!!! So yeah we discussed the answer and walla! The class is over. They all clean out their classroom before going home. Shocking fact! There are no janitors. I repeat, no janitors! The students are in charge of cleaning their own school. (I did not know this before)

After class, we all went back to the meeting room with the buddies. We got to see a beautiful musical performance by one of Kaita Senior High School's club. Also, an origami session with the buddies. Specifically, paper cranes. Known as Orizuru (折鶴). Classic! Milk was really good at it. While me, I'm just plain bad at making origami that Kiyoka & Yukaa were laughing at me lol. The first one I made was horrible, thankfully the second one was better! 

We, the delegates also did our own performance (which was not properly practiced) Each country sang a short verse of their own national anthem/traditional song/any country related song. Me & Adam decided to sing 1Malaysia and then together we sang "We are the world" by Michael Jackson. 

The time has come! It was my turn to give a thanking speech. A little bit nervous but successfully did it anyway. Alhamdulillah. Michiko-san complimented my Japanese speech saying that my pronunciation was perfect and no grammar mistake. With the help of the conversation book, of course lah no mistake hahahaha. But I was really flattered by her compliments

Unfortunately, the school exchange program has come to an end and it was time for us to say goodbye. Just before I hopped on the bus, a girl approached me saying that she's going to be my host family! Lucky me, I met her a day earlier Tomo is a student from the same high school! Wina was luckier because Tomo was her buddy at school, and also host family!

For dinner, we went to Assort at AEON. (Can't believe Japan has AEON too hahaha) and were allowed to go shopping. Yay! Blinded by DAISO because it was huge and PINK!

DAY 4

Another museum visit for day 4! This time we went to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. But first, we visited the Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome. The park was established around the dome and preserved in memories of the victims and to promote peace. It is sad to see all the damages not only to the building but also to the human body. I learned that all the buildings within 2km from the hypocenter were burned down and 40% of the city area was completely destroyed. Thousands of innocent lives were lost. And till this day, after how many years, some still suffer from the aftereffects of radiation! Devastating :(

I also came to know about Sadako Sasaki, one of the victims of the atomic bombing. She suffered from the aftereffects, leukemia, caused by radiation exposure. When she was hospitalized, her roommate told her about the Japanese legend, the paper cranes.

She tried to recover from her illness by folding paper cranes. She did achieved her goal of folding 1000 paper cranes, and even continued to fold more. But, in the end, at the age of 12, Sadako died.

Today, the paper crane became a symbol of peace with the story of Sadako.

In the museum, we could see the actual thing, like the victim's school uniform, nails and skin, everything! Scary but sad :(

We also got the chance to hear a story from a local storyteller on the atomic bombing. Ms. Kiyomi, she's one of the survivor of the atomic bombing. She was 14 when it happened. She told us about the people with their skin drooping down, the streets with burned bodies everywhere and the river with floating dead bodies. She also showed us a picture of her family during World War II, without her brother. Her brother was in Malaysia during that time. (Japanese invasion of Malaya) She apologized to us on behalf of her brother 

After lunch, we had a courtesy call with Mr.Matsuda regarding the Hiroshima City's Initiatives for Peace. They are all making an effort to preserve, disseminate and convey the reality of bombing. They are now renovating the Peace Memorial Museum to make it earthquake-proof.

Day 4 was really the day I learned that nuclear bombing is something that should never have happened and the aftermaths is not a joke at all. I was told that at first, the survivors were angry, but as time passed they started forgiving and advocating peace because they feel like no one else should suffer & go through what they went through.

 In the evening, before meeting our host family, we went to Hiroshima Castle. A lot of samurai stuff going on in there. The view from the top of the castle was really nice too!

 After the castle visit, we moved to the venue to meet our host family. YayFinally, it's time for us to live the life of a Japanese. It feels like a platform to practice Japanese manners and lifestyle haha. Tomo and Okaasan (Mother) picked Wina & I up. So shy at first! We were brought home and provided with a cute house slippers XD Our foster parents have their own barber shop near their house so they work on weekends too. Me, Wina & Tomo hanged out upstairs in Tomo's room for a few while. Then, we went downstairs for our tempura kinda dinner. First time saying "Itadakimasu" before eating and "Gochisosamadeshita" after eating.(excited XD)  Okaasan cooked different kinds of tempura such as lotus root, onion, shrimp, mushroom and A LOT more. I was so happy to stuff my mouth hahaha. My favorite was the shrimp and mushroom! Oishii It was really nice of them to prepare halal meals for me and Wina & they always made sure that its alcohol/pork free. They even bought halal sauce. During dinner time, we finally get to meet Otousan (Father) and Tomo's sister, Minami. We didn't get to meet her brother that night because he was in university.

It was really cold, especially the bathroom!! Wina & I were shivering lol. The three of us slept at the living room. I think it was a traditional Japanese style living room. The floor was covered with tatami which is a mat used as flooring material. Slept soundly that night and got to wake up later than usual hahaha.

Our free & leisure time! We woke up around 8 and had a yummy breakfast. Omelette, Pancakes & Oranges.Okaasan & Otousan went to work. Tomo brought us to see the one of the world's heritage which is the Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima Island. Excited to travel by train and ferry. It was really nice. I thought we were the only one who went there but actually most of group A members went there lol. Quinn was super lucky she got to experience snow because she went to the mountains!!!

The journey by train took us about an hour & a few minutes walk to the ferry. Beautiful sight with a lot of deer walking around.

We walked around for a few while, just sight seeing. We also did the fortune telling thingy just for fun. Simple procedure ; you pay 100¥-you shake the cylinder container-you pick out a numbered stick-you check the result based on the number. Then we hanged it on the pole just like everyone else.

                                            

After having our packed lunch, we then went to Miyajima Public Aquarium where we could see variety of Japanese fishes & sea creatures, glow-in-the-dark jellyfishes, otters, oysters and even whales!

After the aquarium visit, we walked around the omotesando shopping street area. But let me be honest, the price is a little bit higher. The streets were quite busy.with a lot of visitor going in and out. Great place to get your Hiroshima/Miyajima souvenirs.

Back home, a 46 year old kimono awaits us. Omg so excited to finally try out their traditional attire!!! I've always wanted to try one. Must say that it is pretty difficult to wear because you cannot do it by yourself. (Idk if anyone can) Okaasan literally dressed us up. A lot wrapping and tying was done. Took a while but the result was great! Okaasan said I look kawaii. hahahaha *blushed*

KIMONO : Worn on special occasions such as wedding/ worn when they turn 20 (Coming of Age Day). Unmarried women wear long flapped sleeves kimono while the married ones wear shorter flapped sleeves. (The sleeves are cut when one gets married)

YUKATA : A summer kimono usually made out of cotton.

We also got to try out traditional Japanese tea. It is important to know the etiquette of drinking Japanese tea. The cup must be hold with both hands.

Last day with host family. Time for farewell party. Before heading to the venue, we stopped by a shopping mall just to go to purikura (Japanese photo booth) at the arcade hahaha. This one is like a must do in Japan lol. Okaasan left us there to hang out.

The venue for the farewell party wasn't too far from the arcade, just a walking distance lah. Can't believe that I actually walked around in Hiroshima in my baju kurung! Hahaha something to remember. 

At the farewell party, one by one, the participants arrived with the host families. While waiting for it to start, I decided to write a short thank you-note in Japanese for the whole Shimazaki family to read since we didn't get to spend much time together. Again, with the help of the conversation book XD I literally wrote it in front of Tomo and Okaasan because I didn't have time to write it before. It took me a while even though I was just copy pasting BUT IN JAPANESE! Readable & Understandable. Check ✔✔✔

The meals prepared were nice! Had a good time eating them all. After the meal, we had our fashion show thingy and performance where we all showed off our traditional attire, explaining them, and sang songs just like we did during the school exchange program. Adam was wearing a full set baju melayu in blue while me, I wore a modern baju kurung in boysenberry. We slayed the runway hahahhahajk. 

Unfortunately, the party was over and it's time for farewell. After the group photo we all said our goodbyes to our family. When they all left, we moved to another hall for our workshop session to discuss about our action plan and to prepare for the presentation.

As usual, we went out for dinner and were allowed to go shopping,not only inside the mall but all around the area! This time around, the dinner was quite special because we get to eat oysters!!! Fyi, Hiroshima is famous for its oysters. It was good

That is how our last night in Hiroshima ended.

To the readers ;  I hope you enjoyed reading about my 8 days journey in Japan. As much as I learned the importance of keeping peace in this world, I hope you did too. Say no to war, say no to nuclear bombing. Together let's spread peace & happiness, for a better life and a better world.Through my sharing, I also hope that you get to know more of Japan and its culture. ありがとうございます

Adam, thank you for letting me hate you and love you at the same time. Thank you for being so fun and annoying around me.