Kon-nichi wa Kimball. Hello from Japan. I am fortunate enough to be visiting Japan for the second time. I first visited through an exchange program in high school when I lived with a Tokyo family for a summer. This time I am exploring the southern areas of Japan from the city of Osaka. The S.S. Universe Explorer was greeted by a marching band and a waterworks display by a Japanese fireboat as we docked under the Tempozan Ferris Wheel (the largest in the world). I spent several days exploring the city of Osaka and had some “retail therapy” in many of the street markets and complexes. (Shoes must be taken off when entering any building, including the dressing rooms of department stores. A detail I forgot during my shopping foray). A friend that I have met on the ship has a Japanese mother who met us in Osaka. At a traditional Japanese dinner I had the chance to ask questions about life in Japan in comparison to that of America, as she has lived in both. Although it was interesting and convenient to spend time with an informant and translator, my favorite times were the ones that I spent alone. I ventured off on my own to master the intricate subway systems and observe the flow of Japanese life. I moved along with the seemingly choreographed herds of people traveling from the subways and through the streets, all of whom seemed to be unaware of the people crowding in around them. I thrived on being the minority and receiving greetings and subtle smiles from strangers. While out and about, I took full advantage of the cuisine. Each item of food was prepared like a work of art. The taste was equally as good. At most restaurants there were models of the food in a front window so you could simply point to what you wanted. This eliminated the surprise factor that I have experienced in other foreign countries. I ate sushi and tempura every time I got a chance and ventured out into some new culinary territory. Udon and soba are thick noodles made in any combination with meats or curries. Okonomiyaki is the Japanese version of a pizza with meat, seafood, squid or egg. Complimenting my meals was the notorious Japanese sake (alcohol made from fermenting rice) or green tea. From Osaka, I easily traveled to the cultural heart of the country; Kyoto. This city is an overflowing cornucopia of Japan’s finest temples, palaces, villas and gardens. Culture and life-style are refined in this city dotted with oases of tranquility and beauty. There are over 200 shrines and 1,600 temples in Kyoto, as well as renowned gardens, theaters and the last two remaining geisha schools. I spent an entire day entranced by the city and all it had to offer, visiting some of the main temples and shrines and partaking in worship. I was drawn to visit Hiro-shima where the atomic bomb was dropped during WWII. I visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum. From here we entered the A-bomb Children’s Memorial dedicated to a girl named Sadako Susaki. Sadako died of leukemia caused by atomic radiation 10 years after the bomb was dropped. She believed that if she could fold 1,000 paper cranes (a symbol of good fortune and long life) her illness would be cured. She died at the age of 12 after making 954 cranes. Her story has been shared globally and visitors bring offerings of cranes to the memorial as a sign of peace. The Semester at Sea community folded 2,000 paper cranes and hung them in the park alongside garlands of cranes from all over the world. At the entrance to the museum is the peace flame which will only be extinguished after all atomic bombs are banished. The lasting impact on Hiroshima gives a concrete reality to the horrors of nuclear war, just as the city’s renewal demonstrates the incredible path of reconstruction the entire nation underwent following the war. The vibrant city was rebuilt from its radioactive ashes, leaving only a few carefully chosen scars to remind them and the millions of visitors of its atomic legacy. Forever associated with the atomic bomb, the city’s renaissance illustrates the resilience of the human spirit. Upon returning to Osaka, I said good-bye to Japan once again with sincere intentions of returning. As the ship pulled out of the harbor we were bid farewell with sparklers and small fireworks from the people of Osaka. It was an incredible stay in Japan, but now it is time to head down under for our next port: Brisbane, Australia.
