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June 18, 2003


Here is the Websters Grove group getting ready for the final outing in Tokyo....

but first, a stop at the hot food vending machine. A close up is below.

It does not appear that anyone purchased any of these hot foods for their breakfasts!

Final Day in Tokyo

On Sunday, June 15, the groups enjoyed a second, very full day in Tokyo. The weather cooled down quite a bit which made the walking a bit easier. Alas, a number of blisters and sore feet made day two a bit challenging for some. Blisters and sore feet may have slowed these students down a bit but they did not let this stop them from exploring every nook and cranny on their path. It probably helped that an abundant supply of vending machines and combini stores kept everyone's thirst quenched and tummies filled with sembei and pocky snacks. (Please ask your NP:J participant what combini, sembei and pocky are if you are not familiar with these words. Maybe you will be lucky enough to receive some as omiyage!)

The places the groups explored yesterday were:

  • Asakusa-the small, traditional shops lining Nakamise street and, of course, Sensoji Temple
  • Bosaikan Museum where people can experience a simulation of earthquakes, typhoons (and actually get splashed) and fire - all are to help participants understand how to stay safe in the event of such an occurance
  • Imperial Palace Gardens
  • Akihabara - electronics district
  • Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
  • Ueno Park and the National Museum
  • The Sword Museum
  • And of course, shopping in Ginza, Shibuya and Shinjuku

The day ended for some at 7:30 pm when the computers became available to the students in order to check email. At 8:30 pm the entire group gathered to review the Olympic Village check-out procedures and departure schedules. Most participants returned to their rooms to pack up their belongings and trying to get to bed by midnight. Some groups left for some final explorations in Shibuya and Harajuku, returning to the Olympic Village a couple of hours later. These students have very genki teachers who are helping their students maximize every moment of their time here! It was exhausting just listening to their daily schedules!

On the morning of June 16, the NP:J tour participants departed for all parts of Japan to begin their adventure with their host families and host schools. This tour, we are fortunate to have the following host our participants:

  • Carroll High School is hosted by two schools: Fushiki High School (Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture) and Sapporo Kokusai Joho High School (Sapporo in Hokkaido)
  • Clarkston High School is hosted by Ichikawa High School (Ichikawa in Chiba Prefecture)
  • Eagle High School is hosted by Yanai Commercial High School (Yanai in Hiroshima Prefecture)
  • Kelly Walsh High School is hosted by Shijonawate Gakuen High School (Osaka, Osaka Prefecture)
  • Webster Groves High School is hosted by Senshudaigaku Kitakami High School (Kitakami City in Iwate Prefecture)
  • King Kekaulike High School is hosted by Oginodai High School (Oita City in Oita Prefecture)
  • Michigan City High School is hosted by Haguro High School (Higashi Tagawa in Yamagata Prefecture)
  • St. Mark's School of Texas is hosted by Mizunami High School (Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture)

The groups going to Sapporo, Takaoka and Oita travelled by plane from Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. The others boarded the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to reach their destinations. Most groups waded through rush hour train traffic. The attached picture really does not do justice to the rush experience. The participants took the cramped ride all in stride. It is not, however, a place to be if you are claustrophobic!

All the groups arrived at their host school either late morning or towards the end of the school day on the 16th. The NP:J participants were paired up with their host families and began their experience with host families.

Ja mata ne!