JICA Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

Japan and Jane: The Kooka Boora Tales Begin

October 7, 2009 by Janey

The highlight of 2006 was my nearly 1-month scholarship stay in Japan.

It was the last month of winter and like a hibernating bear, I gained 25 lbs due to no exercise!!!

I have yet to write down and recount that trip to various parts of Japan (Osaka, Tokyo, Kagawa Perfecture, etc.). For the meantime, reminisce with me in a photo journal.

Interaction Weekend at Lake Seiko

We stayed at a beautiful hotel near Lake Seiko for one full weekend to interact with the Japanese youth. We were divided into groups consisting of both Filipino and Japanese. During the last day, our group presented a video that showed each other’s similarity and difference in culture -our topic was courtship and marriage.

I got married in Japan (ha ha ha). I still laugh hard remembering the whole shoot. We made use of makeshift props.

What the heck was I wearing? Don’t ask haha. It was fashion catastrophe.

(Inside the computer room)

Universal Studios!

Harassing the mascot who’s trying to get away.

With the President of the class Sherwin

(Cooking class) All I’m thinking, “WHEN are were going to eat?” 🙂

(Making Udon noodles!)

Learning Japan’s Ubiquitous World

Mario World?

Dee Group

Karaoke in the play room is Pinoy’s number one past time.

In between classes

K-oke every night!

In one of their hi-tech museums

Sitting on top of the world?

Goofin’ around

Groped by a monkey 😀

Narita Airport

Kung Fu style peddling

Disneyland

Just slant your head a bit to the right.

Fun Fun Day

Gangsta Paradise

Drinking Sesh at Lake Seiko

Bridging the Gap

Who’s to blame?

What a windy day!

Breathtaking sight outside

When I say jump, you say, how high?

Some Japanese mistake me for Japanese.

Long long distance love affair, whoo-ho, I can’t find you anywhere… whoo-ho

(Part II coming up)

Random Japan Photo Album

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Genky Umby Contest of Anton Diaz

May 14, 2008 by Janey

When I first read about Anton’s entry on Genki umbrellas, flashbacks of my 2006 Japan trip flooded my mind. It was almost a 1-month affair getting immersed with Japanese culture. Tokyo, Osaka, Kagawa, Shikoku are among the key areas that were visited. We went to several different locations but I was especially mesmerized during our tour in Ritsurin Park.

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Ritsurin Park is one of the most famous and most beautiful historical parks located in the city of Takamatsu in Japan. The park, which is renowned for its landscaping, is considered as one of the city’s main attractions. Ritsurin Park occupies 185 acres, which makes the walk in the park a tour of almost two hours. The 75-hectare land includes a natural pine forest, a zoo, an art gallery, a museum and a store where they sell crafts. Several lakes within the park are sanctuary to thousands of koi. Amidst big mountains as backdrop, there are various bridges, footpaths and small hills that offer a majestic view of the entire park and the surrounding scenery. A view of Mt. Shuin can be seen at the western point of the park.

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Our tour was almost cut short because of the predicted drizzle that afternoon. What came to our rescue was the Genki Umby that we brought along with us. My very first time to watch the rain straight on.

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Share your Genki Umby photo with Anton and acquire a free Japan-popularized umbrella. If I were joining the contest, there are three photos with the Genki Umbrella that I can submit minus the witty captions. You can also buy these cute umbrellas in bulk from Anton.