☆What To Do in Japan~

I actually made a post like this on my last blog, but since I created a new one I thought it would be cool to add the list again, except this time I've actually thought about it a little bit more. There are some places I would like to see (like cities, historical landmarks, onsens, festivals, etc.) but I don't want to really ask my host family to take me, unless they ask me upfront. I don't want to seem rude, or like a burden. Some items on the list are completely obvious and something I HAVE to do, but that doesn't mean I don't look forward to it! ;)

Oh! By the way, I *think* that I know a little bit about my host family. On Sunday, when I was told my district, my mom talked to the man who told us it was Niigata prefecture. Apparently he knows the family that is hosting me, and he said that they've hosted 19 times in 20 years! I don't know if they are for sure my host family, but maybe most likely. I'm really looking forward to knowing them, and getting to meet them!

Onward with the list!

• Join a cool school club. Several of them, if possible. I'm really interested in traditional clubs, like tea ceremony, ikebana, and koto, but I think doing sports (like karate, judo, or even soccer) would be fun, too! Of course, it all depends on what clubs my school offers.
• Take a bento box to school. Again, this is something that I have to do (I think I can safely say that most Japanese students bring bento boxes to school. I haven't heard otherwise.) but it looks like it would be fun, and Japanese lunches (even bento boxes) are more elaborate than the American PB&J. Though, I have been known to bring spaghetti, ramen, and hamburgers in my lunch box.
• Have a "cool" mode of transportation to school. I watch a lot of Japanese "dorama" and the students usually ride a bike, train, subway, or walk to school. Since I'm most likely going to be in a "smallish" town, I'm thinking I'm going to walk or ride a bike to school. Another exchange student rides 2 hours to school on a train! In America, there is hardly anywhere to walk or ride a bike outside your neighborhood. I think this will be a cool change!



Japanese streets (http://airtower.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/sam_0162.jpg?w=500&h=375)

• Explore my neighborhood. Japanese architecture and houses are SO different from American! I personally like the way they are more. It feels cozier to me. I want to explore my neighborhood and town upon arrival! 
• See and experience "old" Japan. What I love most about Japan is its traditional culture, which was my main reason for taking an interest in the country. They're so advanced in technology, yet they still hold so many traditional values. I love the old villages, shrines, pagodas, castles, tea ceremonies,  martial arts, etc.
• Experience Cherry Blossom viewing (Hanami).
• See some big cities. I am thoroughly happy with my placement in a small prefecture. Even if I had a choice, I wouldn't trade it in... For ANY prefecture. I still would like to see Tokyo, and especially Kyoto.
• Visit a traditional Japanese inn & visit an onsen. I've read a lot about them! From what I understand, a lot of times when people visit an onsen (hot spring), it's connected to a traditional Japanese inn. You can do both at one place! I also hear you get to wear a yukata ;)
• Take part in festivals. I also would really like to wear a yukata to one ^///^ Just a little dream that I have! I also want to try all the delicious foods that I heard they have!
• Watch Japanese TV. I always see Japanese commercials and game shows on YouTube, and they are absolutely HILARIOUS! I can't wait to go to Japan to watch TV ^^; 
• Eat at a ramen stand. I always see pictures of ramen stands in Japan, and I can't wait to actually go to one! I can't wait to do everything that I always see people doing while in Japan!
• See geishas perform. I first got interested in Japan when I was in kindergarten. My teacher gave us (the students and I) coloring pictures of a geisha. I remember I thought she was beautiful. I loved her hair, and she had the large pin with the flowers hanging down (that I now know is called "kanzashi). I love geisha and think that they, and their arts, are beautiful.
• Have Japanese grandparents. I want Japanese grandparents so I they can tell me about their childhood or old Japan. I love when my dad tells me about Russia, my grandpa about Germany, my aunt about France, and my other aunt about Vietnam! xD Hearing about their childhood (let me emphasize... Their foreign childhood!) is so interesting and cool!
• Visit Lalaport. Lalaport is an awesome mall that's totally high-tech and contemporary. I'm not sure of its exact location, though I do believe it's located somewhere in Tokyo.

So this is just a short list about some stuff I want to do whilst in Japan! There are many other things, but I believe that this list is fine for now ^^ I have about 4 months and 2 weeks left now!