Discovering Japan

First Impressions

People have always told me that Japan is the best country in the world. I knew that it could be true, but I did not expect that it would literally be the best!

When I first arrived in Kyoto, I was fascinated by the small streets and such a quiet but at the same time vibrant environment. Kyoto is a very small town surrounded by mountains, exactly the type of place I would want to live in: vibrant life in the city and quiet and beautiful nature around it.

A few things surprised me. There is no garbage on the streets, literally none. As someone coming from New York, that is very impressive to me! Japanese people really take care of the environment and keep both outdoor and indoor areas very clean. That leads us to the next point: there aren’t many garbage cans outside and people carry their trash with them, which is even more surprising, considering that no one throws trash in the middle of the road. The last thing that was surprising is that people don’t eat while walking — it is just something that’s not appropriate or respectful. With that being said, Japan is very different culture-wise, which makes it especially unique.

Special Activities

Japan is full of places and activities to enjoy! I wanted to point out the Kurama Hot Spring in Kyoto — a beautiful hot spring surrounded by mountains and fresh air where people can enjoy the water and amazing views. I went with my friend thinking that we could rent a private bath where we would be allowed to wear our bathing suits. However, when we arrived, we were told that there are no private baths and bathing suits are not allowed in the public ones. At first we hesitated, but once we started the experience, it was full of enjoyment.

Another special activity I got to do was a traditional kimono photoshoot. I am a photographer myself, so I decided to just take photos on my own camera and then edit them in my signature style. However, the experience of wearing a traditional kimono can’t compare with anything! When I arrived at the studio, nice people did my makeup and hairstyle, let me choose the kimono I wanted, and helped me get dressed. Everything looked beautiful and the overall experience was fascinating! I got to take photos in such amazing traditional places, with pagodas and wonderful mountains in the background, and lively traditional Kyoto streets. I would do this 100 more times, no kidding!

The CIEE center also offered a lot of excursions to us, including the Arashiyama Forest, calligraphy learning, sweets making, fox mask making, Nara Park, and of course the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine with its red gates that were all built by humans.

Food

Of course, I have to mention Japanese food, as it is the best food in the world. I love sushi so much and I can’t believe that I found this amazing place in Kyoto, Kura Sushi, which has all different types of fish, shellfish, ramen, and desserts (surprisingly, they were amazing!). I also enjoyed The Blueberry Cafe, where they have delicious meals that include blueberries. I tried Ichiran, which has the most delicious ramen and is very affordable! Wagyu steak in Japan is amazing! I could go on and on. The bottom line is — food in Japan is perfect!

I also want to say a huge thank you to the CIEE team, who were extremely friendly and helpful with everything, and to The Borough of Manhattan Community College for the opportunity to be a part of this study abroad experience. Japan impressed me and I will definitely come back!

Liza