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…
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