日本のパン屋

Sarah’s Blog Post 25: April 28, 2016

 

One of my favorite things about Japan is Japanese bakeries. We have many bakeries and cafes in the United States as well, but they are usually much more expensive. A croissant in Japan is usually about 100 yen, but in the United States they are often about $3 (about 300 yen). There are many nice bakeries in Kichijoji, but I usually just go to the chain stores like Bon Bonjour.

 

This week in flower arrangement club, our teacher brought us “shio-pan” from Vie de France. We have Vie de France in the United States as well, but the prices and foods offered are very different. It sounded so strange to me because it translates to “salt bread”. It didn’t sound very tasty. I really like shio-pan because it is very soft on the inside and crispy on the bottom. It almost tastes like a soft pretzel from the United States or Germany, but soft pretzels aren’t as good because they don’t have the crispy bottom. “Melon-pan” is good, and it is one of the most well-known Japanese breads, but it is not as good as shio-pan in my opinion.

Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, and more Burgers!

This past weekend, I went shopping in Odaiba with a friend and we had burgers for lunch. I realized that because there is always Japanese food available, when I meet up with friends they usually want to eat non-Japanese food. I love both Japanese food and foreign food so I am happy with either option. It’s surprising that I’ve had more western food than I expected. But this is Tokyo, so it is easier to find international food here compared to the countryside. I find it interesting that most of the burger restaurants I’ve been to here in Tokyo are considered Hawaiian food. However, hamburgers are more American and although people in Hawaii eat hamburgers, it’s no more or less than other people in Americans. Nonetheless, I enjoy living in a city where there are a lot of options for good international food.

 

- Yaya Campbell

New School Year

It’s been a couple of weeks since the new school year started and I’m excited for this term. I like that I get to work with both old and new students. It’s nice to see familiar faces but it’s also fun to get to know new people. For me, it’s an interesting experience for the school year to start in April. In America, the school year begins in August or September and finishes in May or June. I don’t think there are any pros or cons to either style, but it’s simply interesting to experience the school system in a different way. I am looking forward to the rest of the term and I hope we all enjoy it.

 

- Yaya Campbell

Golden Week

Sarah’s Blog Post 24: April 22, 2016

 

Next week is Golden Week. I don’t really know why it is called Golden Week, and it is a little confusing because it is not a whole week. We have next Friday off for Showa Day, but we must return for school on Monday. Then Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are holidays, but Friday and Saturday are school days. When I took Japanese classes in the United States, we learned that Golden Week is a time for holidays and a time when many Japanese people travel, but we never learned what Golden Week is.

 

Hinamatsuri, or Girls’ Day, was in March. I know Boys’ Day is during Golden Week. Other than that, I don’t know what the other holidays are. I hope everyone enjoys their time away from school. I did not make plans for Golden Week, but I will try to do fun things in Tokyo that I have not done before.

Spring Vacation

Spring has arrived! I had a really nice spring vacation because the weather is so beautiful outside. During the break, my sister came to Japan to visit me and it was great! We had a really fun time together. We ate lots of Japanese food and went sightseeing throughout Tokyo. She really enjoyed eating yakiniku and going shopping. After my sister returned to the USA, I had lots of free time to see the cherry blossoms. I even went to Meguro River and took lots of photos. Spring vacation was lots of fun.

 

- Yaya Campbell

春休み

Sarah’s Blog Post 23: April 15, 2016

 

The best part of my spring break was going to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea. I come from California and in California we have the original Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. I was really excited to go so I could compare Tokyo Disney with Los Angeles Disney. I think Tokyo Disney Sea has the best attractions and prettiest design of all four parks. Toy Story Mania had a 2 hour line, but it was the most fun ride I have ever been on. Disney California Adventure has the same ride, but I haven’t been on it. The volcano and the big lake at Tokyo Disney Sea are especially beautiful at night.

 

The next day, I went to Tokyo Disneyland. It was a little smaller than Disneyland in Los Angeles. While I was waiting in line to see Star Wars: Star Tours, it started snowing! I was so surprised to see it snow at the end of March.

 

Overall, I think Tokyo Disney Sea is the best, followed closely by Disneyland in Los Angeles. The reason why Disneyland in Los Angeles is better than Tokyo Disneyland is that it is bigger and has shorter lines. Also, if you like to see the Disney characters, Disneyland in Los Angeles has many more characters walking around all of the time. However, Disneyland in Los Angeles is much more expensive. Please visit Disneyland in Los Angeles if you have the chance.