Blogs from Machida, Tokyo, Japan, Asia

(Sorry, to not update sooner. I’ve been a bit busy with school and haven’t traveled around. I figure why not talk about the thing that is making so busy. :D ) Obirin University (J.F Oberlin University) is a private Christian university. It is located in Machida-Shi, Tokyo, Japan. It is quite a small university, especially when compared to the U.T. The university also has a high school that is located right next to it. Literally less than five minutes from the main part of campus. For the foreign exchange students almost all the classes are held in two buildings, Meimeikan and Gakujikan. The two are across the street from each other. The campus has two cafes; I have only eaten at one. (It’s super cheap, but kind of greasy.) A lot of students either bring their ... read more

Well, than 2 weeks left until I go home and so much sushi to eat before then...... Some pictures of Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. It's the oldest temple in Tokyo. I got one of the best fortunes and I tied it to the thing (in picture), it was only after that someone told me you only do that with a bad fortune. So I have probably cancelled it out. Also lots of dressed up buddha statues there too. Thanks to University Founding Day, Labour Thanksgiving Day and Culture Day, we had 3 holidays off in November. Went to Disney Sea and the Indiana Jones ride rocks! It rained in the evening so some things were cancelled and I'm pretty sure the "Cape Cod Step Out" folk (performing in the American Waterfront ) weren't Irish because they ... read more

I have finally got this blog set up ..... well, here I am back in Japan and it's great! I am living in Sagamihara city which is in Kanagawa, Greater Tokyo but TravelBlog doesnt give this as an option. Anyway, it IS beside Machida city. Machida city is cool by the way as it has a five floor 100 yen shop (about 50p)! AND a TGI Fridays! I had to travel 40 minutes to get to Tony Romas from my last place. Sagamihara is not a very interesting place. Population is over 600,000. It is about 40 km from the centre of Tokyo. I haven't found out what Sagamihara is famous for although Camp Zama, a US Army post is located here and in the next city Zama. So that might be it. It has about ... read more

The weather is bloody hot and humid. Thank goodness we live and work in airconditioning!! Getting to and from work consists of a mad dash in and out of airconditioned flats, trains and workplaces. You also have to deal with the number of sweaty Japanese men clogging up the trains - Japanese deoderant is terrible. Cam's Australian supply ran out about a week ago and the Japanese stuff is just useless. Luckily, my parents Eddie and Valerie will be here tomorrow night with a fresh supply from Oz. Apart from the horribly hot weather, Japan really comes alive in the summer time. There are festivals going on all the time. There are big summer festivals around the major spots in Tokyo, which pride themselves on their amazing fireworks displays. These festivals are called "Hanabi" (which directly ... read more

Just wanted to send off a quick blog to mainly share some photos from my birthday. Words can't describe how wonderful my birthday here in Japan was. I had to work, which wasn't really that bad as it was a quiet day due to the 17th being a public holiday in Japan - Marine Day, apparantly. Afterwards a big group of workmates and friends went out for dinner at our favourite restaurant - The Chopstick Cafe. It's always hard when you are away from friends and family back home, especially on special occasions, and I was quite overwhelmed at the number of special friends we have here in Japan who went to the effort of making my birthday such a special time. The wonderful staff at the Chopstick Cafe (who now know us by name and ... read more