Last Saturday, I went to A YFU Japan meeting with my host brother, mother, and grandfather (see previous post for pictures). After the meeting, my host mother, sister, and brother decided to take me out for some karaoke! Now it's obvious that karaoke isn't very popular in the U.S., but here in Japan, it is incredibly popular, especially amongst teenagers. Now I can see why it's so popular, because it was so much fun!
Now unlike karaoke bars in America where you sing in front of everybody there, most karaoke bars in Japan have individual rooms for each party, so it's just you and your friends or family. The place that I went to served amazing food, so I had plenty of that as my host family and I sang to our hearts' content.
Each room is outfitted with all the necessary equipment. A TV, a karaoke machine, 2 microphones...
and two of these touchscreen tablets which you can use to choose whatever song you want to sing and add it to a playlist.
Takehiro is up first.
Like I said, good food!
You can find these rice-filled omlets pretty much anywhere in Japan.
Saki is next.
Thankfully, there are some songs that are available in English, so Icould participate too. I tried to sing a Japanese song, but it just sounded like gibberish.
We got really into it. Standing on the chairs helps.
Since Shintoism and Buddhism are the two prominent religons here in Japan, there are tons of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples dotted all across Japan. I have visited several shrines and temples during my stay in Japan because these shrines and temples are a big part of traditional Japanese culture.
About a week ago, I made a trip to a large Shinto shrine outside of Osaka with my host grandfather, Oji-chan. Pictures are below.
Moving on from shrines, this past weekend, I attended a Youth for Understanding (YFU Japan) meeting which was held at this large Bhuddhist temple just outside of Osaka. This temple apparently has a history that stretches through the past 1,000 years. Pictures are below.
The entrance to the temple.
The great room of the temple. The YFU meeting was in here.
I appologize to my readers since I've been slow with updating my blog. As of today, July 25, I have 1 week left here in Japan before I come back to Woodland Park. I've been doing so much lately that I've been too exhausted to write in my blog. I'll try to be more persistant with adding new blog posts these next few days, but no promises. I gotta make the best out of my last week here in Japan!
Ok, moving on to what I've been up to...
Last Tuesday, I spent the whole day with my host brother, Takehiro, at the insanely awesome Universal Studios Japan theme park located right here in Osaka!
Now I have been to Universal Studios Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, but USJ was an entirely different experience! Since Takehiro and I went to USJ on a weekday, the park wasn't crowded, so I was able to go on my favorite rides multiple times. It was great!
We took this train from Osaka Station directly to USJ.
This is Universal City which is directly outside of the train station.
Just past the entrance to the theme park, you enter this area which is covered by a giant glass arch. I assume it's for protecting the park-goers against dangerous solar rays.
Jaws is over on the right.
Lunch!
Here's a ride you won't find at any other Universal Studios theme park, Space Fantasy! It's an indoor rollercoaster, similar to Space Mountain, except it spins you around.
Here's a POV of Space Fantasy.
My absolute favorite ride, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman!
Jurassic Park!
Jaws.
Leaving the park. USJ closes rather early on weekdays at 6:00 pm.
