I CANNOT believe it’s already been two months since I arrived in Japan. There are so many fascinating experiences I cannot wait to share with you all! Similar (yet different) to my previous exchange, I’ve been deeply engaged in discovering the wonders of Japan, all the while managing my academic responsibilities and embracing entirely new experiences. Ultimately, I consistently remind myself: You’ll never know unless you try, and this has become an integral part of my exchange journey.
First day of school
I’m officially in my 8th week at Keio! Reflecting on my first day, the memories are surprisingly still fresh in my mind.
My day started at 7:30 am since my dorm is nearly an hour from the main campus, and I wanted to ensure I arrived on time for my first class. It was all sunny and peaceful until I arrived at Hiyoshi Station. I was shocked at how crowded the station was, and it dawned on me that it was rush hour, making my first experience of the Japanese rush hour both intense and crowded. While I wasn’t particularly fond of being squeezed by 20 people on the train, the anticipation of finally going to school after two weeks of waiting added a pleasant aspect to the morning.
I passed by the bright blue Tamagawa Bridge on my commute to school, transferred at Meguro Station, and arrived at Mita Station by 8:20 am. It took me an additional 15 minutes to reach campus, and I safely arrived at 8:35 am. My classes began with the first period starting at 9 am in the South School Building, and the subsequent two periods passed swiftly. As mentioned in my first Japan post, I’m still intrigued by the school bell ringing to signal the conclusion of each period. I really like the concept as it allows students and teachers to manage their time without constantly looking at their watches or phones!
Throughout periods 1 and 2, I took a short break by walking around the campus and exploring the old library and the central area of the campus. I grabbed sandwiches and bottled green tea for lunch β something light and convenient at the uni convenience store/konbini, aka Co-op. I was fascinated at how neat and nicely the foods were organised, and the store even had a section selling merch and stationery.
My last class started at 1 pm and ended at 4:15 pm with more introductions. This class was in Japanese, so at this point, it felt like I really was in Japan. Overall, my first day went by smoothly, with no traces of confusion and challenges. The campus is nice and compact, not too big and perfect to find my places around. It is surrounded by so many trees and nature, and I couldn’t be happier with my time being able to complete my first day in peace!
School Timetable
After completing my registration on September 28th, I finally confirmed the courses I was selected for! The course registration system here is quite different from New Zealand’s. You have approximately four hours to choose your courses, and a lottery-based system determines your preferences. Fortunately, I managed to secure spots in most of the courses I applied for.
Exchange students are required to take a minimum of seven courses. As for me, I’m currently enrolled in eight classes, including five two-credit courses, one four-credit course, and two one-credit courses.
At first, I was concerned about handling the workload, as it was twice as much as what I was used to at UoA. However, it turned out to be much better than expected! The workload is manageable as I have classes concentrated on the first three days of the week. I appreciate the flexibility of having the latter half of the week for breaks, study sessions, and revisions. It truly is more manageable than I initially thought!
Tamagawa Firework Festival
On October 21st, I had the enchanting experience of witnessing beautiful fireworks at the Tamagawa Firework Festival. These were, without a doubt, the largest and most stunning fireworks I had ever encountered. It was surreal to believe that I was gazing upon such breathtaking fireworks as the closeness of the fireworks added to the unforgettable moment. As I took a moment to absorb the beauty around me, all my worries and anxieties disappeared. That night became a haven of tranquillity, and I yearned for time to stand still.
Ueno & Asakusa
On October 22nd, I explored Ueno and Asakusa with my two close friends I met during this exchange. Despite my initial intention to focus on less touristy attractions and more local areas, it was too strong to resist the steepness of nostalgia. Our journey began with a stroll through Ameyoko Street, the bustling food avenue of Ueno. This street was insane! I was impressed with the diverse array of food options, which were catered to both locals and foreigners.
For lunch, we had Monjayaki, a type of Japanese pancake. Unlike Okonomiyaki, Monjayaki has a higher liquid content and a stickier texture. We ordered seafood Monjayaki, mochi Monjayaki, and yakisoba Okonomiyaki. Eating the Monjayaki was a unique experience as we cooked the pancakes by ourselves, and we even added the mayonnaise, dried seaweed, and Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) to decorate it in the end.
At 2:40 pm, we arrived at the one and only Asakusa. Being a Sunday, the area was crowded with people which made it challenging to navigate through Kaminarimon and the shopping districts. We bought Daifuku, a huge Japanese mochi with a strawberry in the centre, at 300 JPY each. My friends chose the matcha and original flavours, while I chose strawberry. We also enjoyed the picturesque view of Asakusa while sipping on complimentary green tea.
To end the day, we treated ourselves to the finest matcha desserts at Matcha Cafe, Yanagi Chaya. Even my friend from Kyoto praised the top-notch matcha. We ordered matcha lattes, tiramisu, and a matcha float with generous portions of white mochi, red bean, and matcha ice cream. The experience was nothing short of extraordinary, and I enjoyed how the matcha was a harmonious blend of sweetness and subtle bitterness.
Keio-Waseda Baseball Game (Soukeisen)
On October 29th, I attended the Soukeisen held at the Meiji Jingu Stadium β the Keio-Waseda Baseball Game! My first EVER baseball game. Just wowβ¦ one word is not enough to articulate all the feelings I felt throughout the whole game.
The Soukeisen is held twice a year during the spring and autumn semesters, and it is one of the most anticipated games between Waseda and Keio universities, with over 100 years of tradition behind it.
It was my first time inside a baseball stadium, and I was in complete awe. The stadium was enormous, surrounded by countless seats. Upon entering the stadium, I heard the brass band playing the Keio Fight Song “Wakaki-chi.” I just knew it was going to be another great event!
At 1 pm, the game had started as the two teams took the field, and the entire crowd was cording with cheers. The cheerleaders were incredibly enthusiastic, wearing huge smiles while dancing a fun choreography that kept everybody energised. My friend and I were probably the most vocal among the spectators, passionately cheering “Let’s go, Keio!” with all our hearts and soul. I’m not a huge baseball fan and don’t know much about the game’s rules, but being part of the excitement made me incredibly happy. I was so engrossed in cheering that I only noticed Keio had scored a run when the crowd erupted into whistles and applause. The thrill when Keio scored was absolutely electrifying. Ultimately, Keio won with a victorious score of 4-0. Waseda also performed admirably, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how incredible our team was. The enthusiasm of the Keio team, along with the crowd, cheerleaders and supporters, made the experience worthwhile!
Check out my Soukeisen vlog here! βΎοΈ
Mita Festival
From November 21st to 28th, we celebrated the annual Mita Festival, also known as the ‘Mitasai’! The event takes place every November, spanning a week, with no classes for all students and staff. The campus transformed into a literal playground filled with various activities, food stalls, and performances, and the vibrant atmosphere replaced the usual campus vibe.
The festival featured many international foods at the stalls, including Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and more. The stalls were bustling with students promoting their offerings to attract customers.
On the 23rd and 24th, I helped out with KOSMIC (Keio Organisation of Student Members of the International Centre) in making and selling Pad Thai and bubble tea. This was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The festival kicked off at 10 am with a massive confetti blast at the main stage, which created an infectious sense of readiness among everyone.
In terms of food, I had a Turkish Kebab from our neighbouring stall, which costed 500 JPY ($5.50 NZD), and S’mores costing 300 JPY ($3.30 NZD). After completing my shift, I headed to the main stage to enjoy the performances β ranging from Hip Hop to the Michael Jackson Dance Club (featuring a friend of mine)! The Michael Jackson Dance Club’s interpretation of the dance styles was particularly impressive, and I loved how they were so immersed in their performance.
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As you can tell, I am having the time of my life in Tokyo! It’s still a dream come true to be studying here. Keio University is also more than just a university; it’s where I have grown, and a second home where my heart finds peace. The people I’ve met, the events I’ve attended, and the experiences I’ve encountered are all of which I cherish deeply, and this is only the beginning. On a side note, I also have a TikTok Channel where I post my exchange journey and my life in general, so if you’re interested, feel free to check it out at your convenience!
Until my next post, stay happy and healthy, everybody π
Sending love from Japan π―π΅β€οΈ
Gina