JET Programme Series: 5 Things I’ve Experienced in Japan! - Chantelle Ragoonath
2022/10/17
#1 Flower Festivals – Life is a collection of magical moments
Japanese culture is best described as “seasonal”. The fleeting things in life bring immense joy and when you really thing about it, everything is fleeting. The Japanese have mastered this mindset and it is reflected in how they approach well, everything. They do not hang onto anything for too long and just enjoy the moments instead. From the seasonal flavours of “Pocky” and “KitKat’s” to packing away their seasonal clothing the day a new season is declared (even though the temperature DEFINITELY does not reflect that). Flower festivals are no different.
When you think of Japan, cherry blossoms (Sakura) are probably the first thing that comes to mind. But Japan has sooooo many other unbelievably gorgeous flowers too and they dedicate entire festivals to them every season! Aside from the Sakura, I’ve also been to a Tulips Festival, Hydrangeas (Ajisai) Festival and my favourite of all, a Wisteria Festival!
#2 “How themed do you want the café?” “YES!”
Japan puts their best foot forward in many things, but the most surprising has to be their efforts and attention to detail with their themed cafés! Once you step foot into a themed café, you are instantly transported into that world. Nothing is left to the imagination because it’s all right at your fingertips. Of my worldly adventures, I have visited 1980’s Hawkins, Wonderland, a manga universe and a Catholic church.
#3 teamLab Borderless – I want to live in here
“teamLab Borderless” is a digital art museum like no other. It is a place where borders and time don’t exist and is completely immersive. My little artist heart grew three sizes that day. I had originally thought that I would have spent maybe two or three hours going through the massive displays and then grab some lunch. Well, boy was I wrong! A whole six hours later and I’m having dinner for lunch! 100% worth the hunger pains! Can’t wait to visit their other exhibits!
#4 Kyoto, Nara and Kamakura – “Spontaneity is the best kind of adventure.”
Tokyo is huge and it could take me a lifetime to explore it all. But every now and then I venture outward. My trip to Kyoto and Nara was a spontaneous one that was decided and booked a mere 2 days before. Listen! The spontaneous trips are always the best ones! GO!
I got to visit Kyoto and Nara with zero tourists (minus the thousands of students who were on their school trips *deep frustrated sigh*). I just did a quick Google search and made a small list of the things I wanted to do and went with the flow.
In Kyoto, I got to visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park (so many monkeys!), Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sanjusangen-do Temple and the Fire Ramen restaurant. In Nara, my highlight was meeting all the deer that had no respect for personal space or boundaries (my pants will never be the same). They were respectful enough to give me a friendly bow when they wanted some cookies though.
Upon my return to Tokyo, I decided that I would sleep when I`m dead. So instead, I jumped on another train and headed to Kamakura to visit some famous sites. This time there were no students, just the absolute beauty that is Kamakura. Sometimes the best things in life are the ones unplanned.
#5 Deys Soca ah hearin’? – “Once we reach in yuh fete, is niceness!”
Kes` angelic voice traveled through the air and reached my waist. With a chip and a chip and a quick palance, I made my way to the front of the DJ booth. I can hear it, the voices of my people and their beautiful rhythmic dialects. A callaloo crowd begins to gather. Gorgeous melanin skin glistening under the bright sunlight. I am home.
Well, it always feels like I`m back home whenever I go to these Caribbean events anyway! Yes, there are Caribbean events in Japan and yuh done know d Caribbean people comin out in their colours to represent! I`ve been to a Caribbean and Latin American Festival and even a J`ouvert! The Caribbean community in Japan is far larger than you would expect and once some good Caribbean food involved, yuh know we showin’ up! I`ve also been to other smaller events and Caribbean themed places. It`s hard to feel homesick when there`s so many pieces of home all around me.
#Bonus! Wet, Moist and Deadly – “Ah never sweat like dis before nah!”
“I can’t wait for summer!” said the unsuspecting Trinidadian to her fellow gaijin (foreigner) coworkers. They all laughed at her innocence and inexperience. With a gentle pat on her head they said, “Remember that you said this; when you are simultaneously dying and wishing that you were actually dead in summer.” Summer came. She remembered.
Allyuh, we have it nice in Trinidad yuh know. When I tell you is sweat I sweat! Big beads of sweat running down my whole body the second I step outside. And it`s not even really the temperature that’s the problem, it’s the humidity! Also, it have NO BREEZE! NONE! Not even along the ports or bays! Ah almost dead!
As you can see from my very short and concise list, I am living my absolute best life in Japan! I spend my time exploring and eating delicious foods. There is never a dull moment here and I am constantly looking forward to my next daily adventure.
“One way to get the most out of life, is to look upon it as an adventure.”
JET Series: 5 Things I've Experienced in Japan! (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
Japanese culture is best described as “seasonal”. The fleeting things in life bring immense joy and when you really thing about it, everything is fleeting. The Japanese have mastered this mindset and it is reflected in how they approach well, everything. They do not hang onto anything for too long and just enjoy the moments instead. From the seasonal flavours of “Pocky” and “KitKat’s” to packing away their seasonal clothing the day a new season is declared (even though the temperature DEFINITELY does not reflect that). Flower festivals are no different.
When you think of Japan, cherry blossoms (Sakura) are probably the first thing that comes to mind. But Japan has sooooo many other unbelievably gorgeous flowers too and they dedicate entire festivals to them every season! Aside from the Sakura, I’ve also been to a Tulips Festival, Hydrangeas (Ajisai) Festival and my favourite of all, a Wisteria Festival!
#2 “How themed do you want the café?” “YES!”
Japan puts their best foot forward in many things, but the most surprising has to be their efforts and attention to detail with their themed cafés! Once you step foot into a themed café, you are instantly transported into that world. Nothing is left to the imagination because it’s all right at your fingertips. Of my worldly adventures, I have visited 1980’s Hawkins, Wonderland, a manga universe and a Catholic church.
#3 teamLab Borderless – I want to live in here
“teamLab Borderless” is a digital art museum like no other. It is a place where borders and time don’t exist and is completely immersive. My little artist heart grew three sizes that day. I had originally thought that I would have spent maybe two or three hours going through the massive displays and then grab some lunch. Well, boy was I wrong! A whole six hours later and I’m having dinner for lunch! 100% worth the hunger pains! Can’t wait to visit their other exhibits!
#4 Kyoto, Nara and Kamakura – “Spontaneity is the best kind of adventure.”
Tokyo is huge and it could take me a lifetime to explore it all. But every now and then I venture outward. My trip to Kyoto and Nara was a spontaneous one that was decided and booked a mere 2 days before. Listen! The spontaneous trips are always the best ones! GO!
I got to visit Kyoto and Nara with zero tourists (minus the thousands of students who were on their school trips *deep frustrated sigh*). I just did a quick Google search and made a small list of the things I wanted to do and went with the flow.
In Kyoto, I got to visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park (so many monkeys!), Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sanjusangen-do Temple and the Fire Ramen restaurant. In Nara, my highlight was meeting all the deer that had no respect for personal space or boundaries (my pants will never be the same). They were respectful enough to give me a friendly bow when they wanted some cookies though.
Upon my return to Tokyo, I decided that I would sleep when I`m dead. So instead, I jumped on another train and headed to Kamakura to visit some famous sites. This time there were no students, just the absolute beauty that is Kamakura. Sometimes the best things in life are the ones unplanned.
#5 Deys Soca ah hearin’? – “Once we reach in yuh fete, is niceness!”
Kes` angelic voice traveled through the air and reached my waist. With a chip and a chip and a quick palance, I made my way to the front of the DJ booth. I can hear it, the voices of my people and their beautiful rhythmic dialects. A callaloo crowd begins to gather. Gorgeous melanin skin glistening under the bright sunlight. I am home.
Well, it always feels like I`m back home whenever I go to these Caribbean events anyway! Yes, there are Caribbean events in Japan and yuh done know d Caribbean people comin out in their colours to represent! I`ve been to a Caribbean and Latin American Festival and even a J`ouvert! The Caribbean community in Japan is far larger than you would expect and once some good Caribbean food involved, yuh know we showin’ up! I`ve also been to other smaller events and Caribbean themed places. It`s hard to feel homesick when there`s so many pieces of home all around me.
#Bonus! Wet, Moist and Deadly – “Ah never sweat like dis before nah!”
“I can’t wait for summer!” said the unsuspecting Trinidadian to her fellow gaijin (foreigner) coworkers. They all laughed at her innocence and inexperience. With a gentle pat on her head they said, “Remember that you said this; when you are simultaneously dying and wishing that you were actually dead in summer.” Summer came. She remembered.
Allyuh, we have it nice in Trinidad yuh know. When I tell you is sweat I sweat! Big beads of sweat running down my whole body the second I step outside. And it`s not even really the temperature that’s the problem, it’s the humidity! Also, it have NO BREEZE! NONE! Not even along the ports or bays! Ah almost dead!
As you can see from my very short and concise list, I am living my absolute best life in Japan! I spend my time exploring and eating delicious foods. There is never a dull moment here and I am constantly looking forward to my next daily adventure.
“One way to get the most out of life, is to look upon it as an adventure.”
JET Series: 5 Things I've Experienced in Japan! (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives