Japan's Summer Heat, Yummy Food, and Amazing Hospitality

I hiked Mt. Fuji about a week before our program in Kobe began, and I have to say that walking around Japan in the summer heat is almost as exhausting as hiking up the tallest mountain in Japan. Arizona's heat is intense in the summer as well, but I could at least avoid the sun by driving to my destination in a car with the AC on blast. Most people in Japan travel by train, bus, and their own two feet (!!), so walking around for long periods of time to get to your destination is almost unavoidable (especially if you're sightseeing/shopping). I think I've walked more during these past 4 days than I would in 4 weeks back home.... Despite the sweltering hot weather, our sightseeing trips to Sannomiya, Nara, Akashi Uonotana fish market, Himeji Castle, and the Kobe fireworks festival were definitely worth the near constant sweat. 

Just within these past 3 days, I feel like I have been immersed into Japanese culture. The food is amazing (even the Kobe Gakuin University cafeteria food!), the historical sites are breathtaking, and most importantly the general population is so friendly and hospitable. The faculty at KGU are so kind and willing to go out of their way to make our stay in Japan that much more enjoyable. The pen pals are amazing too! Today they let us borrow their own yukatas (a summer version of a kimono) just so we can have the experience of wearing one. Not only did they bring their own yukatas, but they trusted us to wear their yukatas and not get any takoyaki all over them at the takoyaki party. Also, if you ever need directions to somewhere, some of the Japanese people will actually go out of their way and walk you to your destination instead of merely giving you directions by mouth. We actually met such kind people when we were trying to find a sushi restaurant that could seat a group of 13 people for dinner. 

I can't wait for what's in store in the next few days that we have left in this amazing country!