SOMet in Japan 2024

Bonus post: the last selfie of the trip when we arrived back in Winnipeg. What a trip, we can’t believe it’s been over a week since we got back 🇯🇵

YOSHI APPRECIATION POST!!!

Our trip would have never been possible without the knowledge and guidance from our EF tour guide extraordinaire, Yoshi. He worked tirelessly to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible and helped make the trip unforgettable.

Arigato gozaimasu for going above and beyond every step of the way!!

Leaving Japan is bittersweet! It's been a great trip. One we will always remember.

The food, the flowers, the friends.

Homeward bound!

Thanks All!

(2/2) Last stop of the trip: Asakusa Kannon Temple.

Last batch of selfies. It's been a wonderful trip full of lots of smiles and adventure. We finished the day with a hot pot and then karaoke 🎤 (all videos are being held in care until each students graduation day).

(1/2) Last stop of the trip: Asakusa Kannon Temple. The entrance is guarded by two statues. One a figure of thunder/lightning and the other of wind.

In the inner temple, there is a statue of Budda that no one outside of the temple has seen in centuries. There is a red curtain in the main prayer house and we were told it is behind it. Is it covered in gold? Simple stone? Jewels? No one knows!

Next stop: Akihabara Electric Town! Tons of food, anime, manga, and hobby shops!

We started our final day in Japan getting an amazing look at Mount Fuji!

Then, we spent some time at the Miraikan Science Museum! Lots to absorb here and we wish we could have spent a whole day here!

Such an amazing perspective on science and inquiry: don't look for answers, look for questions. Exhibits in the museum focused on empathy building, community building, and how science can change us all.

Finishing our first day in Tokyo, we went to the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing: 2 minutes to get from any side of the intersection to another!

We did some shopping at the Nintendo store and Pokemon Center and ended the night at Peppers Parlor where we had omelette rice and were entertained by robots! Looking forward to our last day tomorrow but also very sad to see this trip come to an end.

P.S. Ask us in the comments about the dog statute!

We made it to Tokyo! First stop: Harajuku shopping district! Just a quick visit for some crepes and photo booth photos.

Then, we were off to the Meiji Shinto Shrine. Situated in the middle of a 100 year old artificial forest right in Tokyo, this shrine is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. BUT we weren't able to go inside because the current Emperor, Naruhito, was there for prayer! The whole area was buzzing with his presence.

& we ate a lot of great food! Thanks Kanazawa, you were “Au”esome 🍣🍙🍜🥟

Next we visited Kanazawa castle, which has burnt down TWICE. It’s was most recently rebuilt in 2015 using the same traditions and schematics from the 1800s, though it’s shorter than it used to be 😳🏯