After spending last semester abroad in Beijing, China, I was really looking forward to coming to Japan.  China was completely unlike what I'd been expecting, so I came to Japan with no expectations.  

One of my first impressions about the area in which I was living was that the city looked exactly like all those glossy photos of Japan in my elementary school history textbooks.  There were the narrow roads, the lively signs, the small houses with the beautiful roofs and manicured gardens.  This is one of my favorite pictures (taken near the area of Seminar House 4 during the recent snow squall):



Hirakata is beautiful in the snow.  I really like this little city, and feel very comfortable here.  People are curious, and will sometimes strike up conversation with you on the street.

Another thing I quickly noticed about Japan were the signs.  Some of them are interesting because of the overuse of Engrish (and I was amazed at how many signs used romaji instead of kanji or hiragana) but some of them are so hysterical that I just had to post them.  On the day I took the above photo, I was heading to the grocery store, and saw this sign, next to a canal.



Apparently, you want to be really careful not to fall in; if you do, a kappa is going to drag you under and eat you!  (bottom left)  

Yesterday, I went into Osaka to visit Osaka Castle with a group of friends.  I just wanted to throw this shot in because it also is one of my first impressions of Japan, and the place is beautiful besides.  I wish we'd gotten to catch it when there was still snow on the ground, but regardless...



I can't wait to see more!  Hopefully this weekend I'll go and see Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto.

Tags: hirakata, osaka, signs
Current Mood: accomplished