Since Tuesday I am back in Germany, and it still feels surreal that my time in Japan has come to an end. I returned with a suitcase full of memories, and I want to share some of the most unforgettable experiences I had since the end of December.
2024 ended on a high note because two of my friends from Germany visited me in Fukushima for Christmas. We had a wonderful international Christmas party in the dormitory, where everyone brought food from their home countries, and we listened to festive music. Before coming to Japan, I thought spending Christmas Eve away from home and family would be difficult, but in the end, it turned into a unique and heartwarming experience. I was especially happy that my friends got to meet the people I had been living with in the dormitory.
After Christmas, we started our travels in Tokyo, staying there until January 2nd. During this time, I grew even more fond of the city, as we not only explored the bustling areas but also discovered more relaxed neighborhoods. One of my favorite moments was our trip to Kamakura, where we rented bikes and rode to the beach. After Tokyo, we visited Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagano, where we had the incredible experience of seeing snow monkeys soaking in hot springs. Before returning to Fukushima, I spent another weekend in Tokyo and took a day trip to Enoshima. The two weeks of travel were amazing, and I loved showing my friends around Japan. It was great to see that they were just as fascinated by the country, the culture, and the food as I was.
Still, after those exciting but exhausting weeks, I was glad to be back in Fukushima. I could finally go running along the Abukuma River again and focus on my last weeks of studies at Fukushima University. We celebrated the new year with a Colors New Year's Party, where we ate mochi and practiced kanji calligraphy. One of my funnier experiences was visiting Fukushima's UFO museum, where I enjoyed the hike up the mountain with alien-themed guideposts.
At the end of January, my Friend and I were invited to Iwate, specifically Ichinoseki, to visit my Japanese friend's family. This turned out to be an incredibly special experience, as she had planned an amazing itinerary for us, and her mother prepared the most delicious food, including Temaki Sushi and Tempura. In Morioka, we tried Wanko Soba, went ice fishing, and sledding in a snowy village with ice caves. The next day, we visited her grandfather and aunt for a traditional Japanese tea time. I am deeply grateful for this weekend, which once again showed me the warmth and hospitality of the Japanese people.
Back in Fukushima, the first farewells had to be said. After our last classes, my friends, and I traveled to Okinawa for an eventful week. Even though the weather was not as sunny as we had hoped, we made the most of our time and learned a lot about Okinawa's history. Our host at the bed & breakfast prepared local dishes for us and shared fascinating insights about the region. The people in restaurants were incredibly open and talkative, allowing us to practice our Japanese and deepen our understanding of Okinawa's culture. We first stayed in Nago before moving to Nanjo, where we even went for morning runs on the beach. I absolutely loved this trip and definitely want to return to Okinawa when the weather is better so I can swim in the Pacific Ocean.
Back in Fukushima, we had to take our Japanese exam, which also meant saying goodbye to my Japanese teacher. For Valentine's Day, we went ice skating in Kawamata, on a rink made by flooding a rice field. Soon after, we joined the Hamadori study tour, which was incredibly insightful. Seeing the places we had learned about in our "Fukushima History and Culture" class really brought everything together. Staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan with my friends was another highlight, as I love onsens and Japanese breakfasts. Even though the tour covered difficult topics, I remember it as a wonderful trip because we also experienced so many beautiful moments, like watching the sunrise at the beach and visiting Aquamarine Fukushima.
After the study tour, we had to say goodbye to one of the friends. To make the most of our last days, my other friends and I traveled to Sapporo, where we explored the city, visited Otaru, indulged in amazing food, toured an art museum, and even went skiing for a day. We also saw how Shiroi Koibito chocolate is made and went on a road trip, making it a perfect way to wrap up our time together before leaving Fukushima.
In my final days, a school friend who was also doing a semester abroad in Sendai came to visit me in Fukushima, as I had visited him earlier in Sendai. Then, the time came to leave Fukushima for good. Saying goodbye was tough, but I am sure I will see many of these people again. At the same time, I was excited to welcome my family to Japan. My parents and my brother joined me, and together we explored the Hida Folk Village in Gifu, learning about the harsh conditions farmers faced in Japan's snowy regions. One of the highlights of our trip was Hiroshima--its hopeful and forward-looking atmosphere was deeply inspiring, and I saw parallels to Fukushima. After a few days in Hiroshima, we traveled to Kyoto and then back to Tokyo, where our journey ended. Even though it was my parents' first long-distance trip, they had an amazing time in Japan. They felt very comfortable and were impressed by the kindness of the Japanese people. I know that we, as a family, will always treasure this trip, and I am so happy that I was able to end my
time in Japan with such a meaningful experience.
To sum it up, my time in Fukushima and Japan has been truly unforgettable. I am deeply grateful for all the experiences, the people I met, and the friendships I made. I especially want to thank everyone from the International Center at Fukushima University, who supported me so much during my time abroad. They always made sure we felt welcome, helped us navigate life in Japan, and organized incredible trips and events. Without their effort, this experience would not have been the same. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
福島大学への留学案内・年間スケジュール
