2016 Toyokawa Sister City Visit Journal - Jaimie Chan

An Amazing Trip in Japan By Jaimie Chan

My whole trip to Japan was unforgettable. I was very eager to meet my host family because I knew I was about to connect with some new lifelong friends. Although we were touring all day, everybody on the bus was filled with excitement when we arrived at City Hall as we saw our Japanese delegates and their families. Naruka and her family greeted us with so much kindness despite our struggles with having a conversation because of the language barrier. We communicated mostly with hand movements and a translating app.

We spent Saturday with our host delegate’s partner Reina. Reina’s mother and her younger brother accompanied us that day for all our activities. We met Reina’s grandmother and visited a local shrine and saw koi fish and ducks. Then we visited a campsite owned by Reina’s grandfather where we sat by a stream and ate lunch. One of my favorite moments from my whole trip was when we stood by a half pipe with running water that had somen, a cold japanese noodle, slithering down and we had to quickly grab it with our chopsticks. Then we returned to Reina’s house and played with her cute dachshund. After dinner we changed into festive yukatas and visited the summer festival where we ate shaved ice and walked along all the booths.

The next day we spent with Naruka's mom, aunt, and younger sister. We went to a place to make fake food which was really fun. We were able to make a sushi magnet and a key chain crepe along with an ice cream sundae. After that we drove to a shopping mall and purchased several pencils and stationery items. The best part was when we went to a pet shop and got to hold cute puppies. At night we got to watch fireworks at her Junior High school which were really spectacular.

At Chubu Jr. High School I got to meet so many great people. On the first day we went to music class in which we got to play the Koto/Japanese Harp. On the second day we got to watch all of the extracurricular activities that the students participated in. On our last day in Toyokawa we were sad to be leaving our home, but our trip in Japan was not over yet.

In Kyoto we toured many shrines and temples which were all beautiful. I look forward to seeing my friends again in September and to showing them my home. As we keep in touch with email I know our friendship will last forever.