DAY 8: Motosumiyoshi day

MOTOSUMIYOSHI STUDENTS DORMITORY ORIENTATION

     First rainy day in Tokyo so far. Going out from the dormitory in the morning, we were able to pick up one of the umbrellas that Kotani-san gives for free use for all dormitory residents. Today we had to travel to the Mita Campus in the center of Tokyo again - it was an orientation day for international students living in our dorm. 

     Today we were lucky enough to catch an express train. As I have already written, the train system in Tokyo is very complicated. On top of that, on every line there are different types or trains: local (stopping on every station), express (skipping some stations and going faster) and super express with few stop but very high speed.

     Back to the story. We have arrived at the campus on time. Luckily, we have met some other exchange students on the way and they told us the room number. In Keio university room numbers look like this A584 which would mean it is in a block A in the building 5, room number 84. We were prepared as usual... But we found the place. 

     There were all exchange students from our dorm. We have 11 floors in the dorm, 4th floor is only male floor with only exchange students and two Japanese residence assistants, 5th floor is a female floor. Other floors are for Japanese students, so we do not have many internationals in Motosumiyoshi. On top of that, most of the incoming students are from Asian countries. 

     Before we arrived to Japan, two times we were sent an email with residence rules and regulations. Upon arrival we were given a print out of residence rules and regulations (same). In the orientation we were given this print out again. The best thing about it, the whole orientation was held in Japanese and translated into English. Every rule and regulation was read out loud for us in Japanese and explained, than translated to English. Lots of fun! Japan :) 

JAPANESE HISTORY LESSON

     During the orientation we have met a girl from Russia, her name was Julia. She studies Japanese history at SPbSU in Saint-Petersburg. With her and Ondrej (he is always with me) we have taken a lunch (delicious and cheap curry with meat and rice). On the way back to the dorm we asked Julia to tell us more about history of Japan. Here are few things that I remember from the story: 

     Japan as a country started 600 years b.c. An emperor was believed to be sent from God. This is the only country in the world where the dynasty of the emperor still the same. 

      It was interesting to know, that Japan has signed deimplementation agreement with US after the loss of WW2 and keeps prolonging it. Japan now has no army, only special forces for internal purposes. 

We have also discussed possible reasons of Japanese technological superiority: primary as a combination of working culture and some other factors etc.        

SPORTS CENTER

     Even though we run every day, going to a fitness canter to do some weights was not such a bad idea. Inside the school of media design at Hiyoushi campus there is a sports center. 

      We have arrived there. The place looks nice and big. Luckily one of the sports center employees could speak English well (she studied in London for a while). We learned everything we wanted about conditions and pricing. Quite expensive: 70 Euro per month as discounted students price. 

      We asked for a tour around the location. Everything looks nice. There is an area with machines and weights, a swimming pool and a sauna. Everything a student needs to be healthy and happy. The only thing we were doubting about was the price 

      We heard, somewhere on campus there was another sports center where   student pay per entry (300 yen). Seems like a better deal. 

RESIDENCE PARTY

      The evening was busy. At 7 our dorm was having a welcome party for exchange students in a traditional Japanese bar. 

     Before that we went for a run (and a roller-blade ride) to Shimoda student village (another dorm where most CEMS students lived). On the way back we realized, that the meeting time for the party was in 20 minutes. So we did our best. Ondrej was much faster down the hill as I had no wheels only legs. So he was way ahead. At some point I lost him... When I got to the dorm, I asked Kotani-san if Ondrej had been there yet. She said she hadn't seen him yet. I ran back out, made a few circles in the area and returned to the dorm: and here he was! Dressed and ready for the party... Wow, it is really difficult to get around without a phone.

     A quick shower was taken and I was ready to go. The place was located not far from Hiyoshi metro station. It is a traditional Japanese bar where people sit without shoes. The only person who took of the shoes and put on slippers was Ondrej. In a minute a waiter came explaining that those slippers were only for going to the toilet and people were supposed to be barefoot at the table.

    We had a 7-course meal with lots of traditional meals. The best part of the day was all-you-can-drink. The price per person was 3500 (30 Euro), for those not drinking alcohol 2500. In Japan drinks are really expensive, that is why it was a good deal.

Photo by Kyohei Otsuka

     It was great fun getting to know other people, learning some more Japanese and eating amazing food. Some people were playing drinking games and saying "kampai" (Japanese "cheers"). The place was closing at 10 so we were asked to leave the place. We headed back to the residence, few quite drunk. Upon arrival, some still didn't want to finish like that as it was only 11. We bought a few beers in the local shop and went to a secret room that Kotani-san allowed us to use. Kotani-san actually joined us around 12 for an hour and then went to bed. What a great person!
  We talked and discussed various things until 3 in the morning. As most of the guys had to be at school early next morning, we finally decided to go to bed. Great day!