Miyu

This is my friend and roommate Miyu Muto. I didn't choose her just because she's my roommate but because she and I really bond. We spend most nights staying up talking to each other about the most random things and tell one another stories. She’s such a fan girl (as you can tell from the picture). She asks questions about America and how to say certain words in English and I do the same, asking her about Japan. We help each other. We just click.

The reason I chose to write about her is because she and I share many things in common. Her goals are set high and I love that about her. When I met her I asked her what her major was and she said it was English. I then asked her what she wanted to do as a career and she said flight attendant, but that she is too short to be one. We’ve gotten to know each other pretty well. I feel that she is a very brave person. She signed up to live with a complete stranger that’s from a different country that shows their emotions in a very different way than the Japanese do for the sake of learning English. She shows a lot of dedication towards her studies.

We once had a serious conversation about how American’s and Japanese express themselves differently. Americans show a lot of sarcasm in their everyday life, while the Japanese don’t really have any and are very reserved. I think she understands and she’s ready to face the challenges that are to come and I know she will overcome them.

She represents Japan in various ways. She’s shy, reserved, but most of all she is kind and humble. I have found most of these traits in most of the Japanese I have met. Even though she has these traits she is willing to be open to change in order to be able to study abroad and travel around the world.

sidewalks please!

Living in Hirakata has really surprised me on many levels. I don't come from a city where; everyone rides bikes everywhere, the streets are narrow, vending machines are around every corner, rice fields are in random spots of the city and multiple shopping centers. Thus my hometown is boring compared to Hirakata.

Hirakata has so many fun things to do, whether it's going to karaoke, or hanging out at the abundant shopping centers that are located everywhere. Everything such as, mini restaurants, grocery stores, shops, and 100 yen stores are nearby so it’s no problem to walk (and/or bike) to places. Oh how I wish there were the type of 100 yen stores in America. The 100 yen stores have ridiculously good quality products compared to the dollar stores in America.

I really find it quite random that there is a shrine in the middle of my neighborhood. Nobody seems to go to it so I wonder when if it’s open to the public. Nonetheless it is very interesting and beautiful. There also seems to be a lot of trees everywhere! I even saw bamboo growing in someone’s backyard.

There is a rule we have to abide to though, and that is to be quiet after a certain hour. I don’t understand why it is necessary though because there are constant motorcycles passing the street around 2 a.m. outside my window every night that should wake up the neighborhood.

The main thing that bothers me about Hirakata is that there are limited sidewalks in busy areas. The lack of sidewalks are very hazardous and scare me because the bus drivers drive very closely to people walking and/or biking on the street.

Over time I will see more and have an even better understanding of this Hirakata city, but for now, I can’t believe how many people fit into a bus!   

talk about culture shock

Namba, Osaka, Japan

When I first arrived in Japan I was stumped. I arrived wearing a sweater expecting it to be slightly breezy, but instead walked into an oven. The temperature was too humid. I come from a city where it’s either freezing cold or just the right temperature so the humidity wasn’t the best of my liking.

Hirakata-shi, Osaka, Japan

JR train at Osaka Station

 I expected to see tall buildings and many lights in the major cities such as Osaka and Tokyo. Then I went to Namba and wow. There are sooo many lights, billboards, people, etc. It is a very beautiful sight that I had never experienced before. 


Considering how big the Japan cities are, my home city looked very dull and small. It was a big culture shock for me because I’m not used to seeing so many people in one location.

Park in Hirakata, Osaka, Japan

I did see something I was imagining to see. A lot of green. I went to a park, apparently the parks here are huge, and so it had a lot to see. It was something that I knew I would fall in love with. The scenery was beautiful and the atmosphere felt nice. But I know these odd and fun experiences are just the start of my many adventures here in Japan.