Day 01: JENESYS 2.0 Batch 9 Traditional Culture/Heritage/Art Diary

Just to give a brief background, the Japan East-Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths is a series of exchange programs funded by the Japanese government. Basically, we, the delegates were sent to Japan to experience what it has to offer. Each program has its different theme. For our batch, the theme was traditional culture. We were divided into five groups with two groups being sent to Fukushima and the others to Nara, Okayama and Kyoto as these prefectures were perfect for learning the Japanese traditional culture.

I couldn't contain my excitement when I found out I was selected as a delegate. As a full-time university student, I was too broke to book a Japan trip. Plus, exchange programs are much better than an ordinary leisure trip because of the homestay program. 

Manila to Narita via Japan Airlines (JAL)

Fortunately, I got the window seat.

I just had to play Kizuitara Kataomoi over and over and over again.

Bird's eye view: Manila

The mandatory wing shot

Food!!

Finally!

Thirty-minute ride from Narita to Harumi Grand Hotel in Tokyo

The AKB48 chainsaw incident was a hot issue at that time. I felt relieved to know that Kawaei and Annin were discharged from the hospital.

The first day was basically just an exhausting trip. I woke up at 6:00 PST and slept at 3:00 JST. Although we were really pampered with food and everything, we had to keep ourselves from catching cold for the entire program or else we will be sent home. I swear, it's harder than it sounds. Every single day, I suffer from lack of sleep. The pressure form the regular temperature check every morning was killing us. But then again, it's nothing compared to what we would be experiencing as delegates.

Next: JENESYS 2.0 Day 02: Edo-Tokyo Museum