TXST
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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How I found my way back to reality in Japan: a traveler’s memoir
I signed up for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication study abroad program in Japan having no idea what opportunities would arise for my future self. I have not always been a person that wanted to branch out and take risks. When Dr. Gilbert D. Martinez spoke in my MC 1313 Media Writing course […]
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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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Traditional Japanese clothing: kimono and yukata
While visiting Japan, the first thing you might notice is a lot of people styled and dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos and geta (wooden clogs). In Kyoto, this might be a more noticeable sighting since geisha culture is more prominent and is still active among the Japanese locals. Tourists are also interested in traditional clothing […]
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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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Hasedera Temple: hydrangeas and the Eleven-Headed Kannon
Travelers looking to visit Japan during June shouldn’t be discouraged by the rainy season. The plants in the region flourish most when it’s raining, and Hasedera Temple is a beautiful place to see just that. Religion Buddhism is one of Japan’s main religions, alongside Shintoism. Hasadera is a beautiful place for the locals – or […]
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