Japan

When I arrived in Hawaiʻi, I was eager to take advantage of the opportunities to explore Japanese culture and language. This included pursuing the advanced honors Japanese language curriculum, including AP Japanese, serving as a teaching assistant for Mori Sensei, and being selected to participate in two cultural exchange immersion programs through Punahou that took me to Chino and Tokyo. On both my trips to Japan, I was interviewed by Japanese news outlets, serving as an ambassador for Punahou, Hawaiʻi, and the United States. I also reciprocated the warm welcome I received as an exchange student by hosting a Hiroshima Peace Scholar, Iori. It was a unique experience to understand different perspectives on World War II and to forge harmonious and compassionate connections.

Chino, Japan

In the spring of my junior year, I traveled to Japan to deepen my language skills and broaden my cultural understanding. While I expected to learn, I did not expect to be welcomed so warmly into a unique community that few outsiders ever get the chance to experience. Located in the quiet farm country just two hours from the bustling streets of Tokyo, Chino is a quaint village where nine samurai families originally settled and cultivated familial roots that still pulse with life today. The transition from the high-energy chaos of Tokyo to the tranquil, slow-paced life of Chino was staggering, but it allowed me to appreciate two entirely different sides of Japanese society.

Through homestays, village activities, and local historical excursions, I connected with a side of Japan that exists far beyond typical tourist destinations. During our time there, we visited several archaeological museums, where I studied the region’s Jomon period and its obsidian history. I learned how prehistoric communities crafted tools from volcanic glass. I visited the Jomon Venus at the Togariishi Museum of Jomon Archaeology in Chino — a nearly intact clay figurine, about 5,000 years old, unearthed nearby at the Tanabatake site. The rounded, pregnant form is a National Treasure, and standing in front of it made the Jomon world I had been reading about feel suddenly close and human.

Cooking with Japanese elders

One highlight of the trip was learning traditional Japanese cuisine from the grannies, or obaasans, of Sasahara. Although navigating the language barrier was challenging at times, I did my best to use the grammar and vocabulary I learned at Punahou. Even when speaking Japanese was challenging, I didn’t give up. In the end, we prepared delicious tofu and egg dishes, along with plenty of kanten, a dessert ingredient made from red seaweed that accompanied every meal in the village.

Having a growth-oriented and positive mindset about the language and cultural barriers made the cooking experience incredibly rewarding. It allowed me to form bonds with these cultural mentors, each of whom possessed decades of knowledge about Japanese culture and customs. The course instructors recognized me at the end of the program as an effective leader and for helping to interpret for other students in my group.

The homestay

From the moment I arrived, the Suzuki family welcomed me with so much warmth. My host mom, Uma, was incredibly spiritual and deep. She is a successful painter, and looking at her artwork feels like going on a cosmic journey.

Their house sat right next to a gushing river of melted snow, which filled the rooms with constant, peaceful sounds. During my free time, I loved exploring a nearby Shinto shrine at the base of the Yatsugatake mountains. Meditating there, surrounded by the shrines dedicated to the fire and mountain gods, was grounding. The sounds of the howling wind and squawking crows helped bring me a sense of calm and harmony.

The kindness Uma gave me is something I will remember and cherish forever. Even though the stay was short, I will carry the connection I built in that house for life.

Talking with the Suzuki family over meals was another amazing experience. It gave me hours of casual Japanese practice and forced me to keep pushing past my comfort zone. I wanted to fully dive into their daily life, so I visited the local onsen, tagged along with my host mom to the neighborhood grocery store and bakery, and played board games with locals at a family-owned inn.

The school visit

A pivotal portion of this trip was connecting with the local high school of Chino and its students. Although they were on break, students from the English, Judo, Dance, and Calligraphy Clubs all came into school fully prepared with an activity to complete together that would showcase a fragment of what their daily routine and culture look like. I was touched by the effort each club put into ensuring our visit was fun, informative, and welcoming. I enjoyed conversing with the English Club about our shared interest in each other’s cultures. It was fascinating to hear their perceptions of American culture and bond over shared musical and pop culture interests.

Next, the Judo Club gave us judogi, and we practiced basic Judo moves and techniques, including flipping an opponent onto their back. My competitive and playful spirit from participating in sports came out as I squared off with different club members, and I had a great time. Finally, in the Calligraphy Club, I got to practice my favorite kanji and connect with the students over handwriting. With each of these interactions, I was able to return their kindness and welcome by sharing a piece of Hawaiʻi, whether it was a local snack, sticker, or dancing hula. Forming bonds with a variety of students in a very different learning environment was incredibly valuable and taught me tremendously about the importance of connecting with peers who come from a multitude of backgrounds.