Central Campus Japan Trip 2000

the trip

Here is the schedule for this year. The scheduled events are in brackets and then I have a little summary or commentary on each day. Well, I don't have all of the days finished yet, but I will be working on them! So please check back often.

Wed. 06/14 [Depart from Des Moines airport at 11:05 AM. Arive at Minneapolis at 12:25 PM. Depart from Minneapolis at 2:05 PM]

Left Des Moines International Airport headed for Minneapolis/St. Paul. We got there, and spent a good hour or so checking things out. Layovers suck. As soon as our flight was called, we boarded, and spent some more time in our seats. The plane finally took off and 12 hours later, we arrive in Japan! Sounds so easy, doesn't it?
Thurs. 06/15 [Arrive in Narita at 5:20 PM. Bus ride to Yamanashi. Meet Yamanashi Gakuin host families]

After the plane ride, I think everyone was a bit... out of it. But that quickly changed as we realized... well... WE WERE IN JAPAN! We waited and chilled at the airport for a bit, then boarded a bus (it was better than last years') headed for Yamanashi Gakuin High School. A quick 3-4 hours away. We did make a pit-stop at a truck-stop area, but don't think American truck stops, think a huge convienence store with an attached restraunt, with tons of vending machines everywhere and spotless to boot. This is the Japanese truck stop.

After that, we basically met our families and went home with them, to catch up on some badly needed sleep. My family only lived an hour and a half away, so more time in a 4-wheeled vehicle for me! It wasn't so bad, though. My host family ruled.
Fri. 06/16 [Visit Yamanashi Gakuin High School]

The day started off in the same meeting room place we frequented last year, but this time there was NOBODY IN THERE except for the students! What fun! After a while, sensei showed up and informed us of our tasks for the day: to go around to the English classes and chill. Same as last year, basically. We did this, and there were many wacky experiences in the English classes! That was basically it for the day.
Sat. 06/17 Visit Yamanashi Gakuin High School. Free afternoon with host family.
Sun. 06/18 [Free day with host family]

Today was pretty cool. Yuki was either going to take me to Fujikyu Highlands (an amusement park with an awesome roller coaster - Fujiyama) or to somewhere else, depending on the weather. Well, based on my recollection, I'm sure you have figured out we went to Fujikyu. It was great because there was nobody at the park! We had to wait an average of 3-5 minutes for most rides, and only about 20 minutes for Fujiyama. Last year I waited about 3 hours for Fujiyama, so it was much better! Ryan Meier came along with us, because his student was busy that day. It was fun, having Ryan there, and we had a good time.

After Fujikyu we went to eat at a restraunt and Yuki asked if we had ever been to a Japanese hot spring before. I hadn't, and can't remember if Ryan Meier had or not, but we ended up going. I must say, it was a little awkward being totally naked with one of my best friends, but we did have little towels so that we wouldn't be totally uncovered. The actual hot spring, however, was one of the most relaxing things I have ever done! It was soo hot that all my muscles just melted when I sat down in the water. Ryan had to agree, and after we got out of there and dressed again, we felt like we could take on ANOTHER day of walking around a huge amusement park! We then went our seperate ways, and I went home for a good night's sleep.
Mon. 06/19 Visit Yamanashi Gakuin High School.
Tues. 06/20 [Go to Tokyo]

Ah, sounds so simple. But this Tokyo adventure was not for three of us lucky kids in the group: Ryan Meier, Greg Goode, and myself. We had worked out plans beforehand to stay overnight in a hotel (Hotel Clarion in Ikebukuro, an extremely nice, small hotel) while the other kids left. The whole group ventured to Tokyo at 8 AM, and the bus ride took a good 3-4 hours. When in Tokyo, we saw the sights, but didn't purchase much except for a few CDs and records. I was waiting for the night. We did, however, see an interesting store called Everybody, which was an all boy-band store. They had everything a 14 year old girl would want in life, shirts, books, everything adorned with your favorite Backstreet Boy, N'sync boy, 98 degrees boy, or any other boy band you can think of. There were two early 20'sish girls working there, who wanted pictures and etc with us (why? who knows), and we got their addresses to write back. They even said we could take anything we wanted from the store for free, which was very awkward. We all opted for a postcard, the cheapest thing we could find. They signed them for us, and we were on our way.

Well, afterwards we parted with our group and were alone in Tokyo! It was about 4:00, so we decided to go find and check into our hotel, drop our stuff off, take a shower, and get ready for the night of our lives. We found the hotel after a little search helped by the nice ladies at Lawson, and it turned out when I reserved the hotel online only I was put down as an occupant. So, we got things straightened out, and got our triple room. It was really nice and big! There were big windows that we could look out and see the street below. It was great. So we got pampered and decided to go out on our Tokyo adventure. We read about this place called Sunshine City, an old 60-story prison that they converted into a shopping mega-plex, so we decided to go there. We ventured out, but the Tower Records caught our attention before. 8 (?) levels of pure music mayhem, so we took a while there. Each level is divided into a different genre of music, which is pretty cool. While on the American level, we got quite a surprise when we saw the two girls from Everybody there! Imagine, a city of millions of people, and the chances of us seeing those two girls again. They were overwhelming. So, naturally we asked if they would show us the ropes. So, we found our guides for the night.

We went to Sunshine City, but it was closed down. More to come later!
Wed. 06/21 [Visit Yamanashi Gakuin High School]

This was one of the saddest days for me. It was the last day I would be spending with my host sister! Not just my host sister, my sister. So I tried to chill with her as much as I could, but it was kind of hard, because today was Yamanashi Gakuin Sports Day! It was just a bunch of wacky events that pitted classes against each other. The American kids were allowed to take part in some of them, and I did the five-legged race with Casey and Jon(?). We fell down and got dirty as heck, but it was still fun. We had fun cheering for the teams and sweating like no other (it was sooo hot!). I got sunburned this day really bad on my arms and neck. But oh well! It was a fun day, and afterwards Yuki took me out to eat with her whole family at a nice Japanese restraunt. They ordered so much food, that I got full on appetizers before they even got me my meal! But overall, it was a fun day, and I will never forget it.
Thurs. 06/22 Host exchange in the morning. Visit Koma HS in the afternoon.
Fri. 06/23 Visit Koma HS in the morning. Go to Kushigata lodge, stay overnight.
Sat. 06/24 Return to Koma HS in the morning. Free afternoon with host families.
Sun. 06/25 Free day with host families.
Mon. 06/26 Go to Shirahama beach, stay overnight.
Tues. 06/27 Return to Kofu.
Wed. 06/28 Visit Komu HS.
Thurs. 06/29 Visit Koma HS.
Fri. 06/30 Leave Koma HS. Depart from Narita at 3:25 PM. Arrive in Minneapolis at 12:20 PM. Depart from Minneapolis at 3:00 PM. Arrive in Des Moines at 4:00 PM.

stuff I bought

It's no secret that I spent a lot of money in Japan. When asked to what I acquired, I usually say "CDs, magazines, and clothes". This is probaly 90% true. The other money was spent on food, gifts, and other trinkets.

For anyone who cares, here is a list of the CDs that I acquired by purchase or gift. Semi-sorted by genre.

Utada Hikaru : For You (single)
Utada Hikaru : Addicted To You (single)
Cubic U : Precious
Miho : Over/Esperenza (single)
Mai Kuraki : Delicious Way

Less Than Jake : Live From Uranus
The Blue Hearts : Super Best
Hi-Standard : Love is a Battlefield (EP)

Speed : Starting Over
Morning Musume : 3rd-LOVE paradise
Morning Musume : Happy Summer Wedding (single)
Ayumi Hamasaki : Seasons

Chrono Trigger : Original Soundtrack '99

Dancemania : Delux4

I also got 2 12 inches (records),

Utada Hikaru : Fly Me to the Moon (remixes)
Beastie Boys : Scientists of Sound

Wed. 06/14	[Depart from Des Moines airport at 11:05 AM. Arive at Minneapolis at 12:25 PM. Depart from Minneapolis at 2:05 PM] Left Des Moines International Airport headed for Minneapolis/St. Paul. We got there, and spent a good hour or so checking things out. Layovers suck. As soon as our flight was called, we boarded, and spent some more time in our seats. The plane finally took off and 12 hours later, we arrive in Japan! Sounds so easy, doesn't it?
Thurs. 06/15	[Arrive in Narita at 5:20 PM. Bus ride to Yamanashi. Meet Yamanashi Gakuin host families] After the plane ride, I think everyone was a bit... out of it. But that quickly changed as we realized... well... WE WERE IN JAPAN! We waited and chilled at the airport for a bit, then boarded a bus (it was better than last years') headed for Yamanashi Gakuin High School. A quick 3-4 hours away. We did make a pit-stop at a truck-stop area, but don't think American truck stops, think a huge convienence store with an attached restraunt, with tons of vending machines everywhere and spotless to boot. This is the Japanese truck stop. After that, we basically met our families and went home with them, to catch up on some badly needed sleep. My family only lived an hour and a half away, so more time in a 4-wheeled vehicle for me! It wasn't so bad, though. My host family ruled.
Fri. 06/16	[Visit Yamanashi Gakuin High School] The day started off in the same meeting room place we frequented last year, but this time there was NOBODY IN THERE except for the students! What fun! After a while, sensei showed up and informed us of our tasks for the day: to go around to the English classes and chill. Same as last year, basically. We did this, and there were many wacky experiences in the English classes! That was basically it for the day.
Sat. 06/17	Visit Yamanashi Gakuin High School. Free afternoon with host family.
Sun. 06/18	[Free day with host family] Today was pretty cool. Yuki was either going to take me to Fujikyu Highlands (an amusement park with an awesome roller coaster - Fujiyama) or to somewhere else, depending on the weather. Well, based on my recollection, I'm sure you have figured out we went to Fujikyu. It was great because there was nobody at the park! We had to wait an average of 3-5 minutes for most rides, and only about 20 minutes for Fujiyama. Last year I waited about 3 hours for Fujiyama, so it was much better! Ryan Meier came along with us, because his student was busy that day. It was fun, having Ryan there, and we had a good time. After Fujikyu we went to eat at a restraunt and Yuki asked if we had ever been to a Japanese hot spring before. I hadn't, and can't remember if Ryan Meier had or not, but we ended up going. I must say, it was a little awkward being totally naked with one of my best friends, but we did have little towels so that we wouldn't be totally uncovered. The actual hot spring, however, was one of the most relaxing things I have ever done! It was soo hot that all my muscles just melted when I sat down in the water. Ryan had to agree, and after we got out of there and dressed again, we felt like we could take on ANOTHER day of walking around a huge amusement park! We then went our seperate ways, and I went home for a good night's sleep.
Mon. 06/19	Visit Yamanashi Gakuin High School.
Tues. 06/20	[Go to Tokyo] Ah, sounds so simple. But this Tokyo adventure was not for three of us lucky kids in the group: Ryan Meier, Greg Goode, and myself. We had worked out plans beforehand to stay overnight in a hotel (Hotel Clarion in Ikebukuro, an extremely nice, small hotel) while the other kids left. The whole group ventured to Tokyo at 8 AM, and the bus ride took a good 3-4 hours. When in Tokyo, we saw the sights, but didn't purchase much except for a few CDs and records. I was waiting for the night. We did, however, see an interesting store called Everybody, which was an all boy-band store. They had everything a 14 year old girl would want in life, shirts, books, everything adorned with your favorite Backstreet Boy, N'sync boy, 98 degrees boy, or any other boy band you can think of. There were two early 20'sish girls working there, who wanted pictures and etc with us (why? who knows), and we got their addresses to write back. They even said we could take anything we wanted from the store for free, which was very awkward. We all opted for a postcard, the cheapest thing we could find. They signed them for us, and we were on our way. Well, afterwards we parted with our group and were alone in Tokyo! It was about 4:00, so we decided to go find and check into our hotel, drop our stuff off, take a shower, and get ready for the night of our lives. We found the hotel after a little search helped by the nice ladies at Lawson, and it turned out when I reserved the hotel online only I was put down as an occupant. So, we got things straightened out, and got our triple room. It was really nice and big! There were big windows that we could look out and see the street below. It was great. So we got pampered and decided to go out on our Tokyo adventure. We read about this place called Sunshine City, an old 60-story prison that they converted into a shopping mega-plex, so we decided to go there. We ventured out, but the Tower Records caught our attention before. 8 (?) levels of pure music mayhem, so we took a while there. Each level is divided into a different genre of music, which is pretty cool. While on the American level, we got quite a surprise when we saw the two girls from Everybody there! Imagine, a city of millions of people, and the chances of us seeing those two girls again. They were overwhelming. So, naturally we asked if they would show us the ropes. So, we found our guides for the night. We went to Sunshine City, but it was closed down. More to come later!
Wed. 06/21	[Visit Yamanashi Gakuin High School] This was one of the saddest days for me. It was the last day I would be spending with my host sister! Not just my host sister, my sister. So I tried to chill with her as much as I could, but it was kind of hard, because today was Yamanashi Gakuin Sports Day! It was just a bunch of wacky events that pitted classes against each other. The American kids were allowed to take part in some of them, and I did the five-legged race with Casey and Jon(?). We fell down and got dirty as heck, but it was still fun. We had fun cheering for the teams and sweating like no other (it was sooo hot!). I got sunburned this day really bad on my arms and neck. But oh well! It was a fun day, and afterwards Yuki took me out to eat with her whole family at a nice Japanese restraunt. They ordered so much food, that I got full on appetizers before they even got me my meal! But overall, it was a fun day, and I will never forget it.
Thurs. 06/22	Host exchange in the morning. Visit Koma HS in the afternoon.
Fri. 06/23	Visit Koma HS in the morning. Go to Kushigata lodge, stay overnight.
Sat. 06/24	Return to Koma HS in the morning. Free afternoon with host families.
Sun. 06/25	Free day with host families.
Mon. 06/26	Go to Shirahama beach, stay overnight.
Tues. 06/27	Return to Kofu.
Wed. 06/28	Visit Komu HS.
Thurs. 06/29	Visit Koma HS.
Fri. 06/30	Leave Koma HS. Depart from Narita at 3:25 PM. Arrive in Minneapolis at 12:20 PM. Depart from Minneapolis at 3:00 PM. Arrive in Des Moines at 4:00 PM.