Sumimasen ("excuse me") - Ivanni Jamin '20

Our stay at the First Hotel in Osaka was simply short, although comforting and sweet. Breakfast kicked off the morning - with members of the group trickling into the dining hall. People gathered trays showing a fusion of traditional Japanese options- like bread, yogurt, and curry - with familiar Western food. My own plate was filled with an array of Japanese goodness. I tried natto, fermented soybeans, for the first time and enjoyed the strange strings of beans. Who knew something similar to tofu could taste like wasabi? After this meal was a journey from train stations to train stations to finally: Tokyo. Our travels to different stations and trains took us to many locations and chances to see the inns and outs of Osaka to Tokyo. We took some time to explore the konbini's (convenience stores) and vending machines around every corner. The trains showed us displays of colored roofs in the suburbs to the clear sky presenting a glorious Mt. Fuji. The ride on the bullet train brought us to the bustling stations in Tokyo.

By itself, Japan's population of more than 127 million people was enough to crowd the streets of its capital. Our group, consisting of: four freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors, a kind chaperone, and a goofy Inaba Sensei, was in the midst of this. We apologized for accidentally bumping into others countless times, while also navigating our next steps. Eventually, our group made it to the Tabata Station and the Mets Hotel that will be our home for the next few days. Tonight ended with another comforting meal. This time, it was a bowl of warm ramen.

Enjoying the Shinkansen (bullet train) ride.

The view from the Mets Hotel Tabata.