Tokyo Orientation

29 July – 31 July 2012
The day before departure, we enjoyed a dinner reception at the South African embassy in Pretoria and a stay-over at the Holiday Inn. Our last South African sunset and the family farewells were really sad, but after months of preparation and stressing - I’ve finally made it to the land of the rising sun.

When people tell you that your jaw drops open when you see Tokyo – they are not joking. The place is mesmerizing. You can read as many travel catalogues and watch as many documentaries about Tokyo as you want. However, no photograph gives Tokyo justice. It is a truly a city that you must experience at least once in your life. After a 14 hour flight to Hong Kong, a lay-over and a connecting flight to Narita Airport, everything seemed like a (jet-lagged) blur.

The JET Programme staff are extremely excitable (‘’genki’’) and gave us a superb welcome at the airport. The staff literally lined up the length of the airport floor, cheering and clapping as we walked past. The same cannot be said about customs at Hong Kong where I was literally made to feel like a criminal – not ‘’genki’’ at all!
Our baggage was taken care off and we boarded a Limousine bus bound for our hotel in Shinjuku. The bus ride was about 2 hours long and we enjoyed the greenery of Chiba prefecture and our first glimpses of a country which is to be our ‘’home away from home’’ for the next year. So far, I have found the Japanese people to be a delight – super friendly, smiling and constantly saying ‘’yorishiku onigashimasu’’
Keio Plaza Hotel was amazing. For an assistant language teacher, 5 star hotel accommodation is not too shabby. My roommate, Liam and I, had a room on the 33rd floor with a hi-tech Japanese toilet and commanding views of the Tokyo Metropolitan building.

Jet-lag and all, we decided to hit the streets of Shinjuku on our first night. Fortunately, one of our fellow South Africans had a couple Japanese friends in Tokyo who took us for a tour around this dazzling part of the city. I experienced my first ‘’izakaya’’ or Japanese restaurant meal and had a round of Japanese beer (which is really light and refreshing) and a six course meal! We were then taken to a massive arcade to get some ‘’pukuru’’ pictures taken!

DAY 1

Full day of orientations and seminars followed by a night at the world famous Shibuya! We took our first Japanese subway to an area known as ‘’Times Square on steroids’’. Like a moth to the flame, you are immediately drawn to the lights. It is like being in a pinball machine.
We decided to make our first Japanese purchase by getting ‘’anything’’ we could get in the first shopping store. My purchase: a pair of socks and a I <3 Japan t-shirt. Cheesy, I know.

It was getting late so we took our final photographs at the Hachiko dog statue opposite Shibuya station and went to bed.

DAY 2

Full day of orientations, seminars and severe jet-lag. This day was extremely exhausting and my head was spinning. At times I was like ‘’are we having an earthquake?’’.
Nevertheless, we decided to still enjoy our last night in the world’s largest metropolis. After a very touching speech given by the South African Ambassador to Japan, we left the consulate, took a cab and headed back to our hotel. I met up with my cousin, Alex (who lives and works in Tokyo) and we all headed up the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan building and then went out to Harajuku (think of the Gwen Stefani song).
Although this part of the city was particularly quiet for a Tuesday evening, we had drinks at a local Izakaya – eating and drinking to Elvis Presley. Gotta love Japan, right?

DAY 3

After breakfast at the Keio Plaza, we checked out, said our goodbyes and departed to our various prefectures, cities, towns and villages all over Japan. We flew ANA (All Nippon or ‘’Pokemon’’ airways) to the beautiful Kumamoto prefecture.

The first thing I noticed was: ‘’Wow, this place is so green’’ – and it is! It sure is refreshing to get out of the concrete jungle and enjoy some mountain-fresh air.
We collected our baggage at the very intimate airport and were surprised by an amazing welcome by current JETs. After some crazy clapping and ‘’Whoohoo, welcome to Kuma,’’ my luggage trolley was taken by an Irish ALT called Ruth and I was given an awesome Japanese fan!

We all stood in a huge circle in the middle of the airport and received a warm welcome by our board of education and current ALTs in the city. I was soon introduced to my Japanese host mother holding a ‘’WELKOM, SEAN O’TOOLE’’ poster. This is going to be an amazing adventure…

Leaving on a JET plane - Itinerary

Alrighty, only a few days left in South Africa... Farewell get-together, check! I thought it would be a good time to create an itinerary. So, without further ado; a step-by-step preview of my forthcoming adventure:

Friday, 27 July 2012

Depart Cape Town International Airport at 08:00 on South African Airways
Arrive at O.R Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg at 10:00. Here, I will be transported to the Holiday Inn Express in Sunnyside, Pretoria.

From 16:00 – 20:00 I will be joining the South African JET team at the Japanese Embassy in Pretoria for a dinner reception and orientation.




Saturday, 28 July 2012

Depart Johannesburg at 12:30 on Cathay Pacific Airways.

Sunday, 29 July 2012

Arrive via Hong Kong at 07:45.
Depart Hong Kong at 09:10.

Arrive at Tokyo Narita International Airport at 14:40.

From Narita, we will be transported to Tokyo inner city(a 2 hour bus ride!)

We will be staying at the swanky Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku.

Fortunately, we have the rest of the evening to make physical and mental adjustments! I will be meeting my cousin, Alex, that night. Time to explore!

30-31 July 2012

Two full days of JET Programme orientations, seminars, meetings and a breakfast with the South African Ambassador to Japan!

Free in the evenings to get some of the highlights of Tokyo as well as mingle with participants from around the globe.

1 August 2012

Depart Tokyo for Kumamoto-Shi, my new home!

1-3 August 2012

Home-stay with a Japanese host family

4 August 2012

Meeting and tour with my supervisors and apartment predecessor!

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Ok, so to the family member or loyal friend who has taken the time to read this - there we go!

Right now, time to work out how exactly I am going to pack up my life in 27kg - and distribute a million South African hugs equally!

My predecessor, apartment and area information

So, much has happened since my last post. Most importantly, I have discovered who my predecessor is.

For those who don’t know, my predecessor is the person whose apartment / schools I’ll be taking over in August. His name is Ryan and he has provided me with a great deal of insight into my new home and life in Japan. Ryan and his wife will be returning to Idaho in the United States soon. However, unlike most leaving-JETs, he will still be in Kumamoto City for a few weeks after I arrive. I will be meeting up with him for lunch and he has kindly offered to take me on a mini tour of my exciting new city.

The apartment itself is terrific. I am privileged to have the largest ALT apartment in all of Kumamoto City – around double the size of most of my co-workers! It is a 2LDK - the Japanese term for a 2 bedroom apartment with a spacious living area, kitchen and bathroom. Pictures will certainly follow. The apartment is located about 20 minutes from everything cool in Kumamoto City (including other ALTs) and is perfect for throwing get-togethers!

If things couldn’t get better, the landlady is said to be extremely sweet. Good to know!

I have been told to check out the International Centre downtown (my go-to place for any assistance) and a local English library that offers reasonably priced Japanese lessons!

My apartment is stocked with the following furniture and appliances:

Washing Machine
Refrigerator
Gas stove
A/C and heating unit
Kerosene heater
Vacuum cleaner
Electric fan
Landline telephone
Dish cabinet
Kitchen table with four chairs
Light fixtures
Television
Shelves and book cases

As soon as I arrive, I will need to purchase a new bed / bedding and a bicycle to get around town!

Ryan has kindly created an interactive map setting out my board of education, schools, closest convenient stores, grocery shops, cinema, gym, bus and train stations nearest to my apartment. What more could I ask for?

I will be teaching at five Elementary Schools and one Junior High School. I have been told that the dress code is rather relaxed in my area and that I will be able to wear short-sleeved shirts to work. Jacket and ties are reserved for more formal events. This is brilliant news considering the terrible humidity this time of year!

Oh, I nearly forgot… I have successfully adopted a pair of Japanese goldfish that will be waiting for me in my new pad!

Placement: Kumamoto City, Kyushu

This morning I finally received information as to my placement in Japan.
For the next year, I'll be living in Kumamoto City (population: 1 400 000) - a city rich in culture and tradition. Kumamoto City is the capital of Kumamoto prefecture, located in the center of Kyushu Island in far western Japan.



The city has one of the finest preserved castles in all of Japan; the 400 year-old Kumamoto Castle. Near this famous landmark is the strikingly beautiful Edo- era Suizenji Jojuen Japanese garden.



It was during this time that the tradition of eating basashi (raw horse meat) originated. Basashi remains popular in Kumamoto and, to a lesser extent, elsewhere in Japan, though these days it is usually considered a delicacy.

The downtown area has a commercial district centred around two shopping arcades, the Shimotori and Kamitori, which extend for several city blocks. The main department stores are located here along with a vast number of smaller retailers, restaurants and bars. Many local festivals are held in or near the arcades.
Cultural venues include the Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art and Kumamoto Prefectural Theater.



Kumamoto has an excellent public transportation network consisting of trains, trams and bus lines. It is very easy getting around by bicycle.



Within a two hour train ride of Kumamoto is one of the largest, most active volcanoes in the world called Mount Aso.



The Kyushu coastline is dramatic and offers spectacular scenery.



The JET Programme community in the city is a diverse one with representatives from 12 countries. I will be one of 29 ALTs working with the Kumamoto City Board of Education. I will be rotating between four or five Junior High and Elementary schools.

Kumamoto has an inland-basin climate and temperature changes can be drastic. The average annual temperature is 17.4℃ and the average annual precipitation is 1,543mm. Winters are mild and snow is rare. June marks the beginning of the rainy season and summers are very hot and humid.

Oh, Kumamon is the cute city mascot - seen all over the place apparently!



It's hard to believe that in exactly 1 month I'll be living in the land of sushi, samurai and the rising sun!

This part of my life is called waiting...

I have always been bemused by JETs complaining about how long they have had to WAIT. I took a rather ‘chilled’ (Capetonian) approach and took things day-by-day, not understanding why my soon-to-be colleagues were so impatient. Now I do...
Over the past few weeks I have been riding a rollercoaster of emotions. Overwhelming excitement, fear, anxiety and nervousness are but a few of the feelings that have consumed me. Okay, so this is a tad melodramatic...

Anyway, this is all due to the fact that I have yet to receive word regarding my placement. Knowing where in Japan I’ll be living for the next year will alleviate so much of the tension that I have been experiencing. As a perfectionist, I guess that I am pedantic about these things. Knowing will not only give me the opportunity to prepare myself mentally but also emotionally for the unfamiliar waters that lie ahead.

However, I have come to realise that no matter which prefecture Tokyo decides to place me in... Nagasaki to Sendai, Okiniwa to Sapporo... It will be the greatest adventure of my life!

To date I have received a JET Programme package from the Japanese Embassy in Pretoria containing the following material:
1) General Information Handbook including a ''LIFE AS A JET'' dvd
2) Japanese for JETs textbook including audio lesson CDs
3) JET Programme Insurance forms



I also have a VISA application form which will be completed in due course and handed in. Later this month, a Q&A session will be held at the Cape Town Embassy. Looking forward to that!
Until then...