Location specifics:
Nagoya Castle, Osu Kannon, Osu Shopping District – City of Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Yokokan Garden – City of Fukui, Fukui Prefecture
Eiheiji Temple – City of Eiheiji, Fukui Prefecture
Host Family Activities – Fukui Prefecture
Last Night – Tokyo and Shibuya
The Kakehashi Project is a people-to-people exchange program between Japan and North America. One of the program’s main objectives is to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and North America.
From December 16th to the 24th I was given the opportunity to attend the Kakehashi Project 2019. About 100 young adult Japanese Americans were chosen to participate in this program coordinated by the JACL and the Japan International Cooperation Center and supported by funding from the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The participants and I were divided into four subgroups to explore and learn more about Japanese culture from different prefectures. I was placed in group A, where we mainly spent our time in the prefectures Tokyo, Aichi and Fukui.
During the program, we experienced Japanese culture in various ways. This included attending lectures, participating in traditional Japanese activities, consuming common Japanese foods, and exploring popular tourist destinations.
To give some examples, we attended a lecture on the prefecture, Fukui. We learned about Fukui’s scenic natural environment, which includes beautiful beaches, the many different types of craftsmanship like hand-made knives, and its output of high-quality agricultural goods like Ichihomare rice.
We participated in Japanese activities like Za-zen at the Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture. Zazen is a meditative discipline that is practiced by the Zen Buddhist tradition. What a physically intense, but mentally rewarding experience this was. We also participated in a homestay, which allowed us to experience the daily life of a Japanese family. Shout out to Mr.Watanabe and his wife for being so hospitable. We had the time of our lives with them.
We ate delicious Japanese foods like shabu shabu, crab, bento boxes, sushi, curry, and etc.
We explored popular tourist destinations like the Osu Shopping District in Aichi Prefecture, Shrines throughout Aichi and Fukui, Japanese castles, and many more.
Throughout this program, I was able to learn more about my ethnic background and how I can be a bridge between America and Japan. I created so many unforgettable memories and new friendships that I hope to hold on too. Thank you JACL, JICE, and MOFA for providing us with this unforgettable and unifying experience. I hope to see all my new friends again in the near future.
Activities that I was unable to get footage of:
-Japanese Overseas Migration Museum
-Chukyo University
-Lectures
-Presentations
-Fukui Port museum
AloJapan.com