GSP Japan: Senshu 2016

June 6: Sumo club visit

We were invited to the Senshu University sumo club and Myles, Eddie, Melissa, and I went to see their practice. Wow! None of us have ever seen sumo before, so watching them so closed to us was definitely something very rare to experience. They slap, push, and pull up each other so hard and it really looked painful! After the practice, they gave us a surprise "nabe (dinner for sumo wrestlers)" prepared by one of the sumo club members. We really enjoyed our visit with them!

Gymnastic club!?!? They are so flexible!!

So easy to pick her up! (130kg.... no no not Melissa ...HE is! )

Myles went for a push! But right away he realized that his socks were giving him disadvantage!

So Myles took his socks off and charged like a bull !! Go Canada Go!
He moved him! An ex-wrestling champ still got some in him!!

June 6: Kabuki

The very first time to watch Kabuki! I was worried if our students (even I) could not understand it, but with their explanation and language guide, it was very easy to understand and actually very FUN to watch the play!! It was so amazing to see how all those ladies on the stage were very lady-like! (They are all performed by men!!)

Hahaha... I guess some people are having too much fun and can't get enough sleep!

June 3: Meeting with Gloria

Gloria graduated from U of C last year (with Japanese Minor) and worked at the Hokkaido Government office in Sapporo for one year in the externship program. She has just finished her work in Sapporo and was visiting friends at Senshu University. We had a lovely walk and a chat in Ikuta-ryokuen and caught up with her interesting adventures in Sapporo!

June 2: Hakone visit

Hakone (箱根) is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo. Famous for hot springs, natural beauty and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji, Hakone is one of the most popular destinations among Japanese and international tourists looking for a break from Tokyo.

One day I was told that Senshu University has a seminar house in Hakone and it's available for us to use if we want. However, I didn't know too much about Hakone...what they can offer, how long it takes, and how much it costs.... so I decided to go check the place out for the next Senshu trip!

Wow! So much to do and see! I regretted right away that I didn't include Hakone in our cultural field trips! (Maybe next time!!)

The slope is too steep and the train had to do switch backs!

Cable car to the top of Senundake

View from the Senundake (Can you see the Kanji letter 'BIG'?)

Beautiful parks

This trip's main event was Mt. Kintoki Climbing (1212m at the top/ 563m gain)! I decided to climb this mountain to see Mt. Fuji from the top.

I saw Mt. Fuji at the top.... it was a very humble one though...

Supposed to be like this ... (next time!!)

A little cheers (kanpai)! to myself as a reward!

This is supposed to be the mountain where "Kintaro (a brave boy from a Japanese folk tale) " played sumo with animals!

I was too late to get on the pirates' ship

So I decided to stop by hot spring for a soak at Hakone-Yumoto!

Hot spring was so nice especially after the quick and steep hike!
I felt all relaxed in onsen, but the two hour train ride on the way back was a torture after that!

June 1 : Final Banquet at Ninja Akasaka

Ninja Akasaka was pretty cool! I am not sure if it's worth for how much we paid.... but food was good, atmosphere was ok, and the magic show was fun! I was expecting some fighting or acrobat by the ninjas, but they were a little tame.... which was a bit disappointing! But, we had a good food and laugh! Everyone was happy that the presentations were all done. Only downside was the fact that our trip was coming to the end.....one more week left!