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Summary of the Japan trip ! ! !

The Japan trip had lasted for 6 days and 5 nights, during this time , we had learn many new places, culture , the history of Japan, became closer to each other and made many new friends and faces.

On 9th November 2008, everyone who was going to Japan for the Japan Learning journey met up at Changi International Airport terminal 3 to take a night time flight to Fukuoka in Japan. During the flight, it was very difficult to sleep as the plane trip was very bumpy.

On 10th November 2008, we arrived into Fukuoka at 8.00am and met up with our guides. After meeting our guides, we traveled for 1 hour until we reached a noodle making factory and it’s shop for lunch, it was then we were split into groups of six where we had to make some udons by ourselves and had to eat the udons that we made and so if we were to make bad noodles, our lunch would be bad, however with the help of the boss of the noodle factory, all of the groups made delicious noodles. While the chef was cooking our noodles, we went to the noodle factory to see and learn how they make, slice and pack instant noodles and fresh noodles. The trip to the noodle making factory was very interesting. Furthermore, the noodle we made but was cooked by them was fantastic and delicious. After eating the noodles, we headed to the Nagasaki atomic bomb museum where we learned about the atomic bomb and its destruction. The museum was very interesting and as I read and saw the pictures of the things which were destroyed and the people who were killed, I felt very sad for those who died. What I find the most interesting thing in the museum was the gate pillar as, when the bomb struck, only one of the pillar of the shrine collapsed while the other pillar remain upright to this day. After the museum, we went to the peace memorial park to see where the atomic bomb struck. After visiting the peace memorial park, we headed for our first hotel which was the Inasayama kanko hotel where we spent the night in.

On 11th November, we interacted with an atomic bomb survivor. The story he told to us was about the atomic bomb which took place 60 years ago. The atomic bomb survivor also told us how destructive and poisonous the atomic bomb is when it exploded at Nagasaki. Because of the radiation, the atomic bomb killed thousands of people. He also told us that the atomic bomb killed his parents and siblings. I found this talk very useful to my history as it talks about the history of Japan and Singapore in the past. After listening to the talk, we went to the Tabaruzuka museum to learn about the last civil war of Japan and pay respect to the soldier who had died during this war. I learned that the two groups of the civil war was the Government troops and the rebels which including samurais. The weapons I saw at the museum were very old and rusty. Later, we went to the graveyard of both teams and I found out that the graveyards of each team were very different. The last place for the day was the water science museum to learn about Kyushu water system. Later, I found out that the water Japan uses was from the ground. Because there are many layers of soil, the ground is able to filter the water, making it safe to drink. After learning about the water system, we went to do some water activities. The activities we did were simple and yet fun. After the water science museum, we headed to our 2nd hotel which was the Kumamoto Hokke club hotel which was in Kumamoto.

On 12th November, the 4th day of our trip, we headed south to the city of Minamata for the coastal studies programme and also to learn about how irresponsible industrialization has led to serious environmental consequences for this city. Firstly, we went to the minamata disease museum to learn about the disease which killed and poisoned many people. At the museum, I learned that the minamata disease is actually methyl mercury pollution in the sea and that when humans eat the fishes in which the fishes has already eaten the mercury. The person will be affected and is unable to control his/her body. I also learned that the bigger the fish, the mercury content in it is higher. Next, we learn about the coast of Japan during the coastal studies programme. During this programme, I have learned that different parts of Japan have waves of different heights. Later, we headed for the coast to learn where the minamata disease was discharge. After a delicious lunch , we visited the recycling plant where we learn how Japan filter its water to be let out into the sea after humans have used the water for certain businesses. When we entered the plant, there was a horrible stench. However, after knowing that the smell was actually some kind of microorganism. We were quite relieved. The last place for the day before we return to our hotel was the Hotto house. We went to the Hotto house to learn more about the Minamata disease as the people there are fetal Minamata disease patients which means that they are born with the disease. At the house, we listened to the Minamata disease patients. Although their stories were sad to listen, it was still very interesting. After listening to their stories, we were invited to make bookmarks made out of leaves. Before leaving the Hotto house, we sang a song with the Minamata disease patient which was about the sea. Afterwards, we return back to Kumamoto city to spend the night.

The next day, 13 November 2008, we headed to the Kumamoto castle. When we reach the castle, it was magnificent and amazing as the castle was old and enormous. When we were inside the castle, we learned that the main castle which was the biggest building was rebuild as it was destroyed by a fire which broke out in the castle. We learned so many things about the Kumamoto castle such as the walls and its buildings. At the top of the castle, there was a magnificent scenery as you are able to see the city of Kumamoto. After the Kumamoto castle, we went to the Hitsuyakan high school where we tour around the school and interacted with the students. After interacting with each other about our school life. We exchange gifts with one another, although their gifts were small, they were very special as it was a gift from a new friend. After exchanging gifts, we went to do some club activities which were something like our CCA and afterwards, we left the school feeling happy as the students of Hitsuyakan were very friendly and kind. Then we proceed to our hotel which was the Aso Plaza Hotel which is a hot spring hotel.

On 14th November 2008, the 2nd last day of our trip. We headed to the Nakadake crater which is a part of Mount Aso. The crater was 2km diameter wide which is why they say that the crater is one of the biggest in the world. We had to take a monorail up to the crater. Upon reaching the crater, there was white gas which was sulphur dioxide, it was also very chilly as we are high up in the sky. There was a magnificent view of the town from the crater. Lastly, I learned that we are in the middle of the caldera. Later, we went to Mount Aso volcanoes museum where we learn more about Mount Aso. Mount Aso had a very small crater until it exploded, shooting out rocks, lava and smoke. Next, we went to watch a 15 minutes show which shows us about Mount Aso in spring, summer, fall and winter. The show also shows us about the festivals that the people celebrated and that Mount Aso is still active! After lunch, we went to the Hakata folk museum to learn about the festivals and the cultures that the people celebrated. In the night, we were given free time to spend in a shopping center. After shopping, we headed to our last hotel which was the Chisan Hotel Hakata to spend our last night in Kyushu.

On 15 November 2008, the last day of our trip. After breakfast, we headed to the airport for our flight back to Singapore which departs in the morning and lands in the afternoon.