Outbound to Gufu + Tokyo Japan, Day 2 of 19, October 5, 2017
Depart hotel 9:15AM, Train to Gifu (Justine hour); start FF Gifu Journey.
Because of the size of our group (18 ambassadors), the Friendship Force Gifu club split our group into two. Group 1 - the Gifu group (George, Lynn, Judy, Barbara, PJ, Ray, Monica, Chris, JoAnna, Kathy D, Helen, Donna, Pat, and Nancy).
The Aichi Folks taking Group 2 (Andy, Suzanne, Russ, and Roz). Each group has different schedules and some differentiated schedules within each group.
by Kathy D
If our first day is an indication, our stay in Gifu is going to be fabulous! Fifteen of us set of by train from Nagoya international airport and we picked up another three ambassadors along the way.
Our hosts were at the train station in Gifu to greet us and we were whisked away for a delicious lunch where we got the chance to get to know one another. Our gift bags were hand made by a Gifu member, each different and all made out of silk kimono fabric.
Our afternoon stop was at the Nagaragawa Ukai Museum. The museum is set on the bank of the Nagara River and explains the 1300 year history of Cormorant fishing with an artistically done film presentation.
On the way to our hosts home we stopped for sweets and were treated so some that we had never tasted before. One had a bean center and the other was made of hazelnut paste. They were interesting but I don't think we will go home raving about them.
Our home for the week is in an area of small industry and homes side by side with large gardens thrown into the mix. Our host's house is lovely, about ten years old, and with many traditional elements. Our room is closed off from the main room with sliding panels, has tatami mats and floor beds. The home is two story with a bath on each floor.
After a brief rest we were off for green tea and sweets at a neighbor's. The owner was happy to show us his exceptional home. It is very traditional and built with the highest quality. During tea we communicated with the aid of our host's translation app with only limited success.
Our host speaks English fairly well but likes to use the translator to keep everyone in the conversation. The neighbor's wife served the tea but otherwise stayed very much in the background which our host later explained is very much the custom.
We returned home to a wonderfully cooked meal. Our hostess loves to cook and it shows. When I asked what she likes to do beside cook she brought out a cookbook. It is going to be a great week!
My first day with host family in Kasugai-shi, Aichiken, Japan. My hosts are Toshigi and Shizuko Kusano. Mr. Kusano retired from Uni Sys famous computer Co. Mrs. Kusano is a retired school teacher.
They took me to visit the school where she taught. We spent the afternoon visiting classes and observing the students diligently at work! The Principal met us and ate lunch with us, having a typical "school lunch".
Unlike American school lunches, it was delicious AND nutritious! He took our pictures and immediately updated the school's website home page. I am now famous!! It was a wonderful & very informative experience.
Childen are the same all over the world! The girls did a lot of giggling and the boys were telling jokes & teasing one another. The students wore uniforms, leave their shoes at the door, and wear slippers all day in the classrooms.
Very interesting concept. Needless to say the floors are very shiney! Students attend classes fron 8-3:00 pm and then attend sports activities and music practice from 3-5:00 pm.
By: Roz W.
Having walked to the Meitetsu station the night before and booking our ticket to Kanayama,
we were relaxed and ready to board the train to meet up with our homestay Friendship Force Host, Hiroshi (Hiro). We were wearing our blue Friendship Force shirts,
so Hiro immediately stepped up to greet us as we exited the train. Suzanne was met by her host. Andy was met by our host who would take him to meet his hosts at the Kachigawa station.
After introductions, our hosts presented us with transportation passes to use while staying with them. We all left the Meitetsu station, entered a JR station, and boarded a train for Kachigawa station which is closer to our hosts's homes. Suzanne and her host stayed on the train for another couple of stops while we got off the train and were met by Hiro's wife, Kiyoko and Andy's hosts the Sakatas.
After a brief stop at Hiro's home to drop off our bags we drove to Chubu University. Hiro had arranged a tour of this large private university through a friend of his. We were greeted by Professor Seiko from the International Relations Department and and Mori and Chihoko both students in the Active Again College for returning retirees. The university has seven colleges such as Engineering, Bioscience and Humanities.
We began with a lunch hosted by Professor Seiko in the main student cafeteria. A lively discussion ensued and Russ even had a brief introduction to written Japenese from Chihoko. There are 100 phonetic characters (Hiraganga and Katakana) and over 4000 characters dervived from Chinese (Kanji) to learn!
The Ethnology Museum was very interesting with more than 3800 items from around the world.
On the way home Hiro took us to his family shrine. It was interesting to see a Japanese cemetery and and learn about family culture.
We even stopped at the driving range to hit a few balls before going home! Practice time before our game tomorrow.
While we were out, Kiyoko was busy in the kitchen preparing a wonderful dinner for us (Sukiyaki) when we returned.
Then it was to bed before our golf game tomorrow. We must wake up at 5:00 am tomorrow.
Gifu and Aichi Arrivals
By: Kathy D and Suzanne L
Depart hotel 9:15AM, Train to Gifu (Justine hour); start FF Gifu Journey.
Because of the size of our group (18 ambassadors), the Friendship Force Gifu club split our group into two. Group 1 - the Gifu group (George, Lynn, Judy, Barbara, PJ, Ray, Monica, Chris, JoAnna, Kathy D, Helen, Donna, Pat, and Nancy).
The Aichi Folks taking Group 2 (Andy, Suzanne, Russ, and Roz). Each group has different schedules and some differentiated schedules within each group.
Gifu Group 1: 1st day of our journey in Gifu.
Gifu Japan, Thursday, October 5thby Kathy D
If our first day is an indication, our stay in Gifu is going to be fabulous! Fifteen of us set of by train from Nagoya international airport and we picked up another three ambassadors along the way.
Our hosts were at the train station in Gifu to greet us and we were whisked away for a delicious lunch where we got the chance to get to know one another. Our gift bags were hand made by a Gifu member, each different and all made out of silk kimono fabric.
Our afternoon stop was at the Nagaragawa Ukai Museum. The museum is set on the bank of the Nagara River and explains the 1300 year history of Cormorant fishing with an artistically done film presentation.
On the way to our hosts home we stopped for sweets and were treated so some that we had never tasted before. One had a bean center and the other was made of hazelnut paste. They were interesting but I don't think we will go home raving about them.
Our home for the week is in an area of small industry and homes side by side with large gardens thrown into the mix. Our host's house is lovely, about ten years old, and with many traditional elements. Our room is closed off from the main room with sliding panels, has tatami mats and floor beds. The home is two story with a bath on each floor.
After a brief rest we were off for green tea and sweets at a neighbor's. The owner was happy to show us his exceptional home. It is very traditional and built with the highest quality. During tea we communicated with the aid of our host's translation app with only limited success.
Our host speaks English fairly well but likes to use the translator to keep everyone in the conversation. The neighbor's wife served the tea but otherwise stayed very much in the background which our host later explained is very much the custom.
We returned home to a wonderfully cooked meal. Our hostess loves to cook and it shows. When I asked what she likes to do beside cook she brought out a cookbook. It is going to be a great week!
Group 2: Visit to Jr High School
By Suzanne L, Group 2AMy first day with host family in Kasugai-shi, Aichiken, Japan. My hosts are Toshigi and Shizuko Kusano. Mr. Kusano retired from Uni Sys famous computer Co. Mrs. Kusano is a retired school teacher.
They took me to visit the school where she taught. We spent the afternoon visiting classes and observing the students diligently at work! The Principal met us and ate lunch with us, having a typical "school lunch".
Unlike American school lunches, it was delicious AND nutritious! He took our pictures and immediately updated the school's website home page. I am now famous!! It was a wonderful & very informative experience.
Childen are the same all over the world! The girls did a lot of giggling and the boys were telling jokes & teasing one another. The students wore uniforms, leave their shoes at the door, and wear slippers all day in the classrooms.
Very interesting concept. Needless to say the floors are very shiney! Students attend classes fron 8-3:00 pm and then attend sports activities and music practice from 3-5:00 pm.
By: Roz W.
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| Chubu Univesity Tea House |
Having walked to the Meitetsu station the night before and booking our ticket to Kanayama,
so Hiro immediately stepped up to greet us as we exited the train. Suzanne was met by her host. Andy was met by our host who would take him to meet his hosts at the Kachigawa station.
After introductions, our hosts presented us with transportation passes to use while staying with them. We all left the Meitetsu station, entered a JR station, and boarded a train for Kachigawa station which is closer to our hosts's homes. Suzanne and her host stayed on the train for another couple of stops while we got off the train and were met by Hiro's wife, Kiyoko and Andy's hosts the Sakatas.
After a brief stop at Hiro's home to drop off our bags we drove to Chubu University. Hiro had arranged a tour of this large private university through a friend of his. We were greeted by Professor Seiko from the International Relations Department and and Mori and Chihoko both students in the Active Again College for returning retirees. The university has seven colleges such as Engineering, Bioscience and Humanities.
After lunch the first stop was the campus tea house and garden "Kuho-an". This structure was first built in the early 1500's and was reassemble on the campus. It provides a place to enjoy nature and clear your mind in the midst of this busy campus.
Then it was back to the reality of campus life visiting many areas such as the library, study halls and the International Relations Department.
The Ethnology Museum was very interesting with more than 3800 items from around the world.
On the way home Hiro took us to his family shrine. It was interesting to see a Japanese cemetery and and learn about family culture.
Then it was to bed before our golf game tomorrow. We must wake up at 5:00 am tomorrow.
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