My First Month Studying in Nagoya, Japan

The past month living here in Japan has been an incredible experience! The convenience stores here have nearly all things you could need quickly such as a notebook, pens, food for lunch, a quick snack such as onigiri and premade sandwiches, and much more. These convenience stores are usually within five minutes of walking and are generally cheap.  The train system is also quick and easy to use. I highly recommend buying an IC card which allows you to refill your card with a balance and avoid buying a train ticket for every ride. There are also machines off to the side that can be used to refill your card in case your balance is insufficient for the ride. 

Next, I've had the incredible opportunity to visit Nagoya Castle and garden! The castle was very beautiful and spacious inside. I would highly recommend going to the castle if it’s your first time in Nagoya! It’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience! This is just one of the many tourist spots in the area. If you’d like to go shopping instead, there’s big malls in the Osu and Sakae area! They have plenty of stores to choose from with many different types of clothing styles. 

I’ve also had the amazing opportunity to participate in various art classes here at Nanzan University. For my first four weeks, I joined the Budo and Ikebana classes! In my Budo class, we went over basic martial art techniques such as punches and kicks. As well as self defense techniques for getting out of a hold. 

Overall, my time in Japan has been both exciting and rewarding. My listening and speaking skills have improved significantly and I've been able to immerse myself into the culture here through visiting Nagoya Castle and participating in traditional art classes! Living here has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Japanese lifestyle and i’m looking forward to the rest of the memories I can make with the people here!