21/12/2016
A Meeting of Minds: How East and West M…
When I heard the news that Kumamoto Prefecture had been hit with a massive earthquake I got really worried. I was worried for the friends I had made there during my time as an exchange student in 2008, worried for their families, and worried about what happened to the city of Kumamoto and the surrounding villages. Fortunately my friends and their families were safe, but the damage to the city was another story. Buildings had giant cracks in them, the keep of Kumamoto Castle was wrecked, and this building was completely flattened.
This was the Janes' Residence- a house dating back to 1971 to house L.L Janes and his family, an American who had been hired by the School of Western Learning to teach English in the city. It was originally situated closer to the castle, but was moved about a few times before finding its spot in Suizenji Garden. I went there as part of a little school trip with fellow students- international and local- through Suizenji Park. By this point I had been in Kumamoto for about 3-4 months and had settled quite well into Japan, but seeing the odd Western-style building amongst the more modern Japanese-style constructs always piqued my interest- particularly older ones like the Janes' Residence.
The interior was just as unique- as if time had stopped for the place the moment the Janes' family returned to America and left the building, save for the bollards with the velvet ropes set around certain sections. But my most striking memory of the Janes' Residence was coming across a display case containing a series of books Mr Janes had written in at the time. Log books, entry books, notes- all laid open to bare in the cases. I thought I'd try looking through one when one of my Japanese friends noticed me and, with a smile, asked 'Can you read that?'. I found it kind of funny at the time as, if it were the other way around- us taking a tour of the UK- it's likely she'd be asked the same question whenever something with a kanji character cropped up, whether it was Japanese, Chinese or otherwise (as sad as that may be to admit). Unfortunately for her I couldn't quite make it out as the cursive joined-up handwriting had become a little too faded for me to make out.
But that funny memory, and this photo of me standing outside the Residence, has stood out to me for all these years. It's one I often think back on when I think of my time in Japan, and why I felt particularly heartbroken when I found out the building had been completely flattened during the earthquake. I'm hoping it could be rebuilt with whatever could be salvaged, but even if it can't then at least I have my photos and my memories.
17/12/2016
A couple's foodie journey to Kyush…
Theater style ramen at Mengekijo Genei ramen. We ate this ramen seated in a theater style setting while watching the chef prepare our food.
12/12/2016
Part of life: A wonderful story in Fuku…
Carving out the story in the land of cherry ...
It has been two times I came to this place. Fukuoka so memorable in my heart.
Kumamoto and Kyushu is a place where we feel very comfortable because of the scenery and the hospitality of the locals.
I really enjoyed it.
The most pleasant thing is when we can become part of a future story, a story where we go to a place that is so beautiful ..
Fukuoka is the place to write a thousand beautiful story
08/12/2016
Refresh my life at Fukuoka
Hello! My name is Jo. Welcome to my blog!
*This is not guide blog.*
I was an exchange student from Thailand to Kyushu University. It happened in SUMMER! First, I researched about summer season in Japan and I found that SUMMER IN JAPAN IS NOT GOOD TO TRAVEL! WHAT!? Hmm... Okay, I just go to study only because it just 2 weeks only......
After I arrived to FUK airport, I knew that the Internet joked on me. From that moment.................. I changed my mind already.
Now, I will show you something about my feeling in FUKUOKA.
*I did my art work with my photos and apologize if my language or others are wrong*
08/12/2016
My travel journey throughout my 8 month…
This is my first trip during my internship in Japan. My friends and I went to Huis Ten Bosch after a hectic weeks working for the internship. It is an remarkable trip as we have full of joys during the trip. It take us approximately 3-5 hours to travel from Kumamoto to to Huis Ten Bosch . The night view in Huis Ten Bosch is truely amazing!! (as you can view in this picture haha). Huis Ten Bosch is a huge amusement park which consist of various indoor and outdoor games such as ghost town , flying fox , bungee jump , theater and many more. I highly recommend couples or friends to visit Huis Ten Bosch to relax and enjoy during the weekend.
10/11/2016
Nice day at Dazaifu
I went to Dazaifu with my friends and I saw some special view there.
10/11/2016
Beautiful Firework
It was a great night to see the beautiful firework at 2014. I hope that I can go there again and have a good trip.
07/11/2016
Kyushu’s sightseeing train is my main d…
Many people dream of one day that they travel in one of many scenic train trips when they visit Japan. It seems strange how a train trip can become so extraordinary that it is, in itself, a tourist destination. What attracts people to these train trips? Speed? Luxury? Or is it just the look of the train? For me, all of these answers are true, and I’m one of those who long for these scenic train trips!