SJMC Japan
An emotional trip
To be completely honest, I didn’t know how I felt about going to Japan. As someone who’s been interested in various aspects of East Asian culture nearly my whole life, I’ve seen a lot of discourse between people who romanticize/admire Japan far too much and those who demonize it because of its bad traits. Both […]
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Confirmation that time flies by when having fun
I consider myself an outgoing person, but I was fully prepared to isolate myself for this trip. My worst fear was that no one would laugh at my jokes. If that were the case, I would not be able to have a good relationship with anyone. On a more serious note, I was anxious about […]
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Japan: skills, friends and experiences
If you would have told me this time last year that I was going to have traveled to Japan before my next year of college, I probably would have laughed. Now, that’s true. My expectations Going to Japan has been a dream of mine for a while, so naturally, when I learned about the School […]
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Traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto
Nestled amidst the tranquil beauty of Kyoto, the traditional tea ceremony holds a revered place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Travelers can immerse themselves in the essence of Japanese culture as they are transported to a realm of serenity and harmony. The tea ceremony in Kyoto is regarded as an art form, […]
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SJMC Japan Team presents work on Friday
Now that all members of the SJMC Japan Team have returned home to Texas safely, they are gearing up for final presentation day, and you’re invited! Students will share their mini-documentaries, highlights of the stories they wrote and insights about what the SJMC Japan program meant to them starting at 10 a.m. Friday, June 30, […]
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The significance of Japanese cranes – origami and otherwise
Visitors to some popular destinations in Kyoto may wonder: what’s with all the cranes? Known as the “tsuru,” the crane’s historical and cultural significance can be traced back to ancient times. It has deep roots in Japanese folklore, art and tradition. In Japanese mythology, cranes mate for life and are believed to live for 1,000 […]
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Locating the perfect shops in Kyoto
Kyoto is a beautiful blend of traditional and modern cultures, which makes it a wonderfully versatile place to go shopping. Like Tokyo, Kyoto has areas with completely different vibes within a 10 minute walk of each other; one can go from praying at a shrine or temple to enjoying multi-story gachapon stores within half an […]
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The magical world of MUJI Tokyo
To most Americans, MUJI is just another stationery company, but its flagship stores are so much more than that. The MUJI Ginza flagship store in Tokyo has five floors of products, a restaurant and an art gallery to explore. Anyone familiar with MUJI knows about their simplistic style, both in their products and marketing. The […]
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Kyoto’s traditional take on Starbucks
Located a mere 10 minute walk away from Kiyomizu-dera, Starbucks Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya mashes traditional Japanese style with international coffee shop sensation, Starbucks. While it’s similar to most other coffee shops, there are a few things visitors should know before heading in to enjoy their refreshing cup of coffee. First, this location is liable […]
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A royal day in Kyoto
Day eight was a decadent experience for the team. We visited the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle and attended a traditional tea ceremony before attending our official farewell dinner. Impressive Kyoto Imperial Palace Our first stop was the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The wide and rocky pathways at this palace are rich with history from the […]
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