Dreams Do Come True: JENESYS 2.0

When I was in high school, I have dreamed to be an Exchange student in Japan. As every weekend back then, I tried to study the Japanese language myself. I even have bought Japanese language learning books and dictionary just to help myself. I also subscribed to Japanese YouTube channels to help me learned more about the Japanese culture and language. You can say that I'm a really a "Weebo" back then because you will see me watching NHK and other Japanese channels, as if I can understand everything. I even eat food with my own chopsticks that I bought at the Japanese store. So I have lived this kind of lifestyle hoping one day I can go Japan and study there, until I have graduated high school

When I entered college, everything has changed. I have no more time to study Japanese so as times goes by, I have forgotten how to read and write Japanese characters and even some grammar points. I have focused too much on my major and have forgotten about this kind of things. Still every day, I am hoping that I can visit Japan even for just short period. Until one day, the day that I have been waiting for. 

Dreams do really come true. I have stumbled upon a cultural exchange program on the web, JENESYS 2.0, and eagerly join the program. Luckily, I was one of the chosen Filipino delegates for the Japan-ASEAN-Oceania festival. Everything is for free from plane ticket, accommodation and even food. Who would not want to travel free? Like what they have said, the best things in life are free, but you got to work for it. And JENESYS 2.0 made this opportunity possible for me. 

13 countries, 360 highschool and university students, 1 programme: JENESYS 2.0

JENESYS 2.0 is a program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for the youth and students who are interested in Japanese culture. They bring students from all over the ASEAN and Oceania region to experience and to learn Japanese culture first hand. The program itinerary includes visit to temples, schools or universities, companies, and farm. The program also exposes the delegates to daily Japanese culture and customs such as origami making, ikebana, planting, and many more. Even with a short stay in Japan, you will really get to experience the authentic Japanese culture.

The program is also not about visiting and seeing ALL the touristy place such as Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Sky tree, Imperial Palace, and others, but it is about the experience and friends you would have while in Japan. You can always make money, but you cannot always make memories. With all those first time experiences I have such beach combing, rice planting, firefly watching, and all those authentic and fresh Japanese shashimis I have tried, I have really been thankful for it. I can say that I went home fully refreshed and full of stories to share to my family, friends, and even to the whole world. But there are only two words that can summarize my experiences in Japan, “COOL JAPAN!”

どうもありがとうございます!

Day 7: Farewell JENESYS 2.0

June 2, Koto Cultural Center - It is our last day in Japan and our programme is about to end. It is the time to share and to show other delegates our experiences in each of our prefecture for the past three days.Our Chiba prefecture group is further subdivided into four smaller groups so the sharing would be easier. We first prepared and summarized all our experiences, realization, and learning for our stay in each prefecture. We then brainstorm on how will we present our ideas into a vision board. We decided to make a report based on the land and the sea since Tateyama is a city where the land and the sea meets. We then made a collage and draw on a big white paper our ideas using the brochures, maps, and other materials that we have collected during our stay in Tateyama.

After we have done our vision boards, we then have our lunch together by group. We then gathered in the auditorium to prepare for each prefectures presentation. After all the prefecture group has presented, we all then have our farewell dinner in TKP Garden City. The time has already come. The time when everyone bid good bye and tears come out from our eyes. It has been seven days since we all arrived in Japan, but it feels like we have just arrived yesterday. It was the saddest part of the event since we will all go different ways after and still unsure if our paths will ever meet up in the future. I am sure every one left the hall with teary eyes. Before we all went back to our hotel, we got to dance once again our group theme song, Koisuru Fortune Cookie, the song that will always remind us of our experiences in Japan. 

さよなら JENESYS 2.0! またね Jenesysts! 

(Farewell JENESYS 2.0! See you Jenesysts!)

Day 6: Japan - ASEAN - Oceania Festival

June 1, Showa Women University - Today was the highlight of the JENESYS 2.0. The day which everyone has prepared much for, the Japan - ASEAN - Oceania Festival. Yey! Each of the countries' delegates performed their own dance performance and after, was the song performance of each prefecture group. After the performances was the Japanese culture and games where the organizers set up booths in the hall where the delegates can enjoy the experience of Japanese culture and games. 

The dance performance was started by the Brunei Darussalam  then followed by Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. After the presentation of each country is the song performance of each prefecture group. Each group sang an assigned Japanese song.

Kagoshima - Kitte No Nai Okurimono

Kochi - Harugakita

Shimane - Tanpopo

Nagano - Sanpo

Shizuoka - Fujinoyama

Chiba - Tenohira wo Taiyouni*

Ibaraki - Furusato

Yamagata - Momiji

Fukushima - Yuki

The next was the booth and fair set up by organizers. They have different booths from traditional to contemporary Japanese culture such as origami, calligraphy, Japanese games, drums, and cosplays. After the fair, was the finale performance of all the delegates. The song which we practiced and danced our whole stay in Japan, and the song that reminds of our experiences in Japan, Koisuru Fortune Cookie by AKB48. 

After the JAO Festival, we all have our dinner at the university dining hall. It another photo opportunity for us to took pictures with our traditional clothes on. 

Our video dancing Koisuru Fortune Cookie*:

*Credits:

Mr. Faiz Zeo (Malaysia) for the pics & video:

    - Chiba group singing Tenohira wo Taiyouni         

    - Koisuru Fortune Cookie video           

Day 5: Sayounara Tateyama

May 31, Tateyama City, Chiba - Its our last day in Tateyama. Our bus picked us up in our respective minshuku. We all get up very early in Seifu-so to have our breakfast and to prepare for our last day. Our first itinerary is to visit Awa High school. Awa High school is known for its Chemistry Club, Judo and Kendo Club, and of course, its Brass Band. When we arrived in to the school, we were greeted by the student council. After the brief introduction we then proceed to their laboratory to witness their experiments. They showed us their so called "Exploding experiment:" Hydrogen Bomb, and Nitrogen Bomb. After the experiment, we watched their Judo and Kendo sparring. The last show for us is their Brass Band which performed various musical. I was so impressed by their extra curricular in that high school since I myself have never experienced such things in my old high school. It was really a pleasure  to visit Awa High School the since the student really did made an effort to go to school even on a Saturday.

We had our lunch in a local restaurant in Tateyama after our visit in Awa High School. Then, we got to have the opportunity to witness a festival demonstrated by the locals of Tateyama. We also got to have the opportunity to buy some souvenirs and some food in the place (and also have some pictures).

Everything has come to an end. It is time for us to say good bye to Tateyama City which become our home for the past three days. It was really a fruitful and memorable  trip. At first, I was disappointed when I knew that I was going to Chiba. but then I have realize during the trip that it is not the scenery or the popular places that matters, it is the experience and the people you go with which matters most. I can always see Mt. Fuji, go Kagoshima, or experience shinkansen, but I will not always experience things that we have done in Chiba such as rice planting, beach combing and minshuku with such wonderful people of Ichiban and ChiB group. Sayounara Tateyama!

Bonus: On our way home to Tokyo, we got to have a chance to pass and drop by the Tokyo Bay Aqua Line  and Umihotaru PA rest station. The viewing deck in the third floor was so great that I took picture of every corner of the  bay and the station. Everyone travelling to Tateyama must pass this way, better view and faster route.

Day 4: The Daily life in Tateyama

May 30, Accion Hotel, Tateyama - We all woke up excitedly (as always) for our second day in Tateyama City. We got to have the chance to explore more of the daily life of the locals since we are going to experience rice planting and to visit a research institute in the city. Since it is our first time to do rice planting, we were enthusiastic that day to do it. When we arrived at the farm, we were all surprised to see a big plain rice field. I was expecting a little rice field since most of us are not used to it but we were given a big rice field. (Take note: the rice field has frogs, spiders, and insects all over) The farmers expected us to finished it by three hours, but we finished it just for one and half hours since we were all enjoying the experience even we are under the scourging heat of the sun.

Since we have more time as planned, we went around the farm after we have finished planted the whole rice field. They showed us their strawberries, figs, watermelons, and some other produce there. After the tiring tour in the farm, we have our lunch just near the farm just like as the locals do. Bento box for all our hard work. Yey! Some of us seated on the floors, some inside the local's home, and some inside the bus.

Since we still have free time, we went to the Boshi Uchiwa Museum after having lunch. We have seen different Boshu Uchiwa (Japanese style hand fan) and also how it is made. 

After the short visit to the museum, we went directly to Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT). We were welcomed by Prof. Yutaka Takeuchi, an associate professor in TUMSAT and Mr. Satoshi Kojima from NEC Solution Innovators. Ltd. They briefly discussed to us some of the ongoing research topics in TUMSAT such as surrogate mother technology in fishes, TUMSAT's International projects, and joint research with NEC. Then they showed us around the research station and let us did microscopic observation on some of the research they have. After the brief lectures and tour around the research station, they served us local fisherman's snacks. Our respective buses picked us up for our own minshuku after our visit in TUMSAT. We were divided to four different minshukus: two all girl group, and two all boy group. I was part of the Seifu-so minshuku.

We got to have free time in Seifu-so minshuku before dinner so we, together with my friend from Malaysia and Laos, decided to walk around and explore the area around our inn. We met a Japanese guy who offered some  few  drinks. He is  an owner of a Japanese style inn in the area and also love travelling and meeting people. After our short chat with him, we hurriedly got back to the minshuku just time for our dinner. After we had our dinner, we got to have another surprise from our group. We went to watch a firefly show. We saw not only fireflies but also umihotaru during the show. After our long tiring day, we all went to have a hot relaxing shower in the onsen in our minshuku before going to sleep. This day was really a tiring yet a memorable day for all of us. What happened in Tateyama will always stays in Tateyama.

Day 3: Take A Break in Tateyama!

We were the last group to leave Hotel New Otani Makuhari since our prefecture is just two hours away from Makuhari. We left at 8:45AM and arrived Tateyama 11:00AM, just time to have our lunch. We have our lunch at Tateyama Sunset Beach Hotel. We have Sanga-yaki(Chiba's specialty), sushi and sashimi, and other seafood for our lunch. They really impressed everyone with their food presentation and superb service. The seafood tasted so fresh and delicious. After we have our lunch, we went directly to the town city hall for our courtesy call with the deputy mayor of Tateyama. We were welcomed personally by the mayor and just have a short meeting where they presented our rough itinerary in Tateyama. They also has given us maps, brochures, and postcards of Tateyama. Yey!

After our courtesy call, we went to Shiroyama Park which is on the highest peak. There you can see Tateyama's castle and also the panoramic view of the city. The highlight for the day was the beach combing in Okinoshima. We walked around the uninhabited island of Okinoshima under scourging heat while picking up shells, rocks, and trashes from the beach. It was a great opportunity for us since we not only experience beach combing but also have visited a Shinto shrine in the middle of the island and learned more about the history of the island from the local volunteers.

We end our day at Hotel Accion Tateyama where we also have our sumptuous buffet dinner. We also have the chance to practice for our group song presentation, Tenohira wo Taiyouni, while on our PJs. The hotel has also an onsen (public bath) so almost all of us courageously tried the public bath before we all went to sleep. 

Day 2: Exploring Tokyo

May 28, Tokyo, Japan - Today we got to have the opportunity to roam around and explore some parts of Tokyo. Since we were ahead of time for our visit to our first destination,we got to have the chance to visit the life size Gundam at Odaiba. It was so enormous that all I can say that time is "Wow!" I just can't believe that there is such thing and seems that I am a child again.

First of from our itinerary is the Tokyo Museum of Emerging Science where we saw various exhibits from space exploration to wonders of human body. Also we got to witness Asimo, the humanoid Japanese robot. After our museum visit, we go directly to have our lunch where we also got to see the famous Rainbow bridge just from the deck of the restaurant we are eating. 

We went directly to Asakusa district after we have finished our lunch. There, we got to have our free time shopping for souvenirs and some Japanese cultural stuff. We also got to visit the oldest Buddhist temple, Sensoji. I also got to visit different temples and shrines beside the Sesoji since I went around by myself. While I am walking along the streets of Nakamise-Dori from the Kaminarimon Gate, I have met a cute Japanese couple in their kimono and asked them to pose a picture for me. They are really adorable walking in such place. I can really say that Asakusa district is where traditional meets modern culture. I also got to have the opportunity to buy my own summer yukata and also some souvenirs and food for me to take home and some to share to our group. After our long tiring tour in Asakusa district, we then transferred to a famous fashion district in Japan. Harajuku is the home the Lolita and Japanese Gothic fashion. But when we were there, I haven't seen much of the Harajuku fashion instead more of the contemporary Asian style. 

Day 1: First Big Day in Japan

May 27, Hotel New Otani Makuhari - First day in Japan. Yey! We all woke up early and have our breakfast to get ready for our first big day in Japan. After we had our breakfast, we all went directly to the Tokyo gymnasium where we had to practice our presentation for the JAO festival. After the tiring practice, we were gathered in Tower Hall Funbori together with the other delegates who have just arrived that day. We have our lunch there, and for our lunch we got a bento, Japanese style lunch boxes. After our lunch, we prepared for our orientation meeting.

After the opening speech of the representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, JENESYS 2.0 is now officially opened. The host then give us some few briefings and reminders about the programme, and what to expect on the next three days. We then all went down to another function hall and grouped ourselves by prefecture. At this point, we have our team building session. First part is getting to know each other. It is a game where we need to memorize each other's name. We need to introduce ourselves and also introduce the person beside you, and the person beside the person beside you and so on. The game goes like this "Hi! My name is D from D, and he is C from C, he is B from B ..." It was a challenge for me since I usually forgot names after five minutes I have met a person. Luckily, it went smoothly for me. After the first game, we have to choose a leader, and  then to give a name for our group. We named our group ChiBi since we are group Chiba B. Go ChiBi!

One strong characteristic of Japanese culture is the practice of giving out name cards. Japanese have their own unique way of giving and receiving name cards, so for our last activity we practiced giving out "imaginary" name cards to each others as this will be our custom for the next days whenever we gonna meet people for the first time in Japan. はじめまして 私 の名前は Von です。  どうぞよろしく。

After our first tiring day, we then have our dinner at a take all you can yakiniku near Shibuya. I was  at first too overwhelmed with the food and drinks in the place, so I have taken each one of the food served in the restaurant. Since, I am too lazy to cook my own yakiniku, I mostly have ice cream and cheesecakes for dinner. Green tea ice cream and green tea cheesecake will always and forever be my favorite. Matcha green tea overload on my first day.