Tokyo Days

The last few weeks have eased into a satisfying routine. I’ve really enjoyed working with the other Westgate staff and coming into Tokyo every day. Our Japanese supervisors are fantastic to work with and very helpful and supportive. They are as hardworking as you can imagine, often eating their lunch while at their computer, and staying long into the evening. It’s been interesting to be part of Westgate in my new role, and it has just increased my respect for this company. The efficiency, professionalism and kindness that I experienced in my first two teaching terms seem to be an extension of the same qualities practiced in the office.

As of last week, one Senior Instructor has been placed in a university to take over for a teacher who had to return home. The rest of us continue to come to the Tokyo office and work on our projects and wonder who’ll be dispatched next.

View from the 8th floor, WG office.

My schedule allows me to take advantage of the early evening hours in the big city. Some days I’ll walk from the office and explore different areas, or take the train part of the way home, get off and walk around a neighborhood I haven’t been to before. A few times I’ve returned to a favorite place, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

The Mode Tower as seen from the 45th floor of the Tokyo Government Building.

Ground view.

The government buildings are near a lovely park…

…that was relatively empty and so quiet on this evening.

On another post-work exploration, I took the train to nearby Yanaka, a neighborhood that’s known for its shrines and lack of Tokyo commercialization and buzz. The Tennoji Temple is over 600 years old and used to be 10 times its present size. The large Buddha dates from 1690. The grounds were closed when I walked by but I was able to get a couple of pictures.

Tennoji Temple and buddha.

A little closer…

Across the path from the shrine is the Yanaka Cemetary, one of Tokyo’s largest, and where several famous writers, artists and public figures have graves, including, Soseki Natsumi. His picture is on the 1000 yen note, and he is the author of the book I Am a Cat, a book I wasn’t aware of until I came to Japan, but have since seen in several bookstores.

Ironically, there were several cemetery cats roaming around.

Shrine in Yanaka.

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A shop in Yanaka.

Last week the people who’ll be teaching in the Extra-Curricular Program arrived. The SIs attended their orientation on Sunday (just for the afternoon) and participated in some small group activities. Among these teachers was the famous Hannah, my friend, neighbor and fellow teacher from last term! We’ve been in touch during the four-month break, but it was great to get together and catch up in person. We met for coffee, lunch at Ippudo (a great ramen chain restaurant, with locations in NY too) and a walk around Ebisu (neighborhood of Tokyo) which included the Institute for Nature Study.

Lunch at Ippudo in Ebisu.

Hannah will be living and teaching in Tokyo so it will be easy for us to make plans. It’s great to have her back in Japan!

Earlier in the month, on a rainy Saturday, I visited the Yokohama Museum of Art.

And later, on a walk around Ikebukuro, the night of the karaoke extravaganza, I walked by the Tokyo Metropolitan Theater, which somehow I’d missed previously…

Tokyo Metropolitan Theater.

Living in Japan continues to be fascinating. Every day something catches my attention, whether I’ve seen it for the first time or the 20th. I’m glad to be working in the middle of Tokyo so that I can easily explore after work if I feel inclined. There’s still so much more to see and so much more to learn.

For everyone.

Do As They Do in Tokyo

In my seven months of living in Japan over the last three terms, I’ve been rather assertive in seeing and doing as much as possible given the limited time there actually is for seeing and doing. Once I get past the wow-factor that I’m working in Tokyo, the reality settles in that I’m here for a five-days-a-week, suit-wearing, clock-punching, commuting-from-the-’burbs job. But soon, I’m back to being amazed that I get to wear a suit, punch a clock and ride a commuter train every work day in one of the most fantastic cities in the world. Just getting to live here feels like enough sometimes, and yet there’s still time after work and on the weekends to pack it in. I’ll never do it all but I’ve enjoyed some classic Japanese experiences like climbing Mt. Fuji, visiting Nikko, Kamakura and Hakone, seeing some great museums and viewing Yokohama Bay from the tallest building in Japan, to name a few.

I keep a list in my notebook of things I want to do and guidebook in my bag. However, there is one iconic Japanese activity that I have not added to my list nor intended to because it was something that just didn’t appeal to me, until this weekend when I happened to be with the right people at the right time…

I can now add and cross off my list karaoke!

The Japanese are crazy about karaoke and there are karaoke bars everywhere. This last Friday was our first payday and a group of us were getting together in Ikebukuro. When I heard that the plan was to go to karaoke, I hesitated but went along just to catch up with friends and intended to stay for only an hour. I at least needed to see what I’d been avoiding for the last year.

Three hours later, I was not ready to leave, but had to since I needed to be up early the next morning. I had a blast. The situation was pretty much what I expected, but I didn’t expect it to be so much fun.

I don’t always sing at karaoke, but when I do, I sing with the best.

Our group of 11 rented our own room on an hourly basis. The others were still there when Nicki, Simon and I left after three hours.

David and Kim requesting songs that will go into the queue.

When a song is ready to play, the backtrack melody plays over the speakers, the words display on the screen and the singers get to live out their secret dreams of being a rock star, if only for a night.

One of my Japanese friends told me that she enjoys karaoke so much that one day she went by herself and sang for five hours.

Lucy and Casey – almost famous.

So how does one go about choosing songs? Just think of any song from your high school or college days, the song that comes to you at random moments, the ones played at every wedding or dance party you’ve ever been to from any era of your life. But you can always resort to online lists. This lists the top 10 karaoke songs of 2012.

Tom (loyal blog reader!) and Lucy.

As the night continued, the energy picked up, the songs got better and we became legends in our own minds.
As for the rest…what happens at karaoke, stays at karaoke.

Rockin’ our Warhol-esqueness.

Out and About

I’ve loved getting reacquainted with Tokyo and the surrounding areas. I’ve explored a few new cities and visited some old favorites. Just going to work each day is an adventure, watching people on the trains while I listen to an audiobook keeps me occupied and entertained for the hour and twenty minutes I’m in transit.

So far I’ve just worked in the office and haven’t been called to cover for other instructors. I enjoy my office mates and the environment is pleasant, but I miss teaching and having a routine I can rely on (not having to wonder if I’ll get called to go to a school). The semester is early and things could change so that I eventually get to do some teaching. Maybe.

Morning train.

My transfer station.

Packed full of commuters.

 

In the meantime, I’m loving the extra time I have after work to explore other areas. Last week I walked around Akasaka which is on the line I take to the Westgate office. There is a beautiful shrine up a long flight of stairs and the area has a very cosmopolitan feel to it. I enjoyed the area and will return another time to explore more.

Akasaka.

 

On another afternoon, instead of going directly home by way of the train closest to the office, I walked in the direction the train was going to catch it further down the line. I came across another shrine. This is the thing about Japan: you can be walking in any part of the city or suburbs and eventually you’ll just happen upon a shrine or temple. They’re everywhere. I’m not Buddhist, but I so appreciate the importance placed on tradition and culture here.

Entrance to a neighborhood shrine.

Other than a simple torii, there was little to draw attention to this shrine. It was just simply located among the surrounding office buildings.

Inner gate.

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I continued walking, passing over a bridge where two tracks crossed.

Commuters waiting for the train.

 

While in Bolivia I was used to seeing Catholic churches, but I had not seen one since I’ve been in Japan over the last year. Then, suddenly, after I crossed the bridge, I was looking at St. Nicholas Cathedral, a place of calm incongruously set among the commerce and crush of Tokyo.

St. Nicholas Cathedral.

 

Last Friday, a few of us went to a community center that offered free Japanese lessons. There were about a dozen foreigners there including our group. Three teachers were assigned to the four of us – we must have looked like we’d need the reinforcements. It was a little discombobulated but we had a good time.

Lucy, Simon and Nicki with our entertaining teachers.

 

The cherry blossoms are waning now, but last week I was able to get a few pictures of the trees around the pond at Ueno Park. Being in Japan during the cherry blossom season was something I was really looking forward to this term.

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Tokyo Skytree from Ueno Park pond.

Path between the ponds.

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This weekend I found myself in Yokohama for the first time since last term. I really enjoy the bay and wide promenade.

Minato Mirai 21 waterfront promenade.

 

I walked by the dock that harbored the Hikawa Maru, a passenger/cargo ship that was built in Yokohama Port in 1930 and served the Yokohama-Seattle route. It was taken out of service in 1960 after making 254 crossings and carrying 25,000 passengers. From this vantage point, it’s set against the backdrop of the Minato Mirai building and the Ferris wheel (one of the largest in the world) at Cosmo World.

The Hikawa Maru.

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It’s so great to work and live in such a remarkable place, and I think being here this term is even better because I know my favorite areas and also know of new places I want to explore. There’s so much more to come in the following weeks!

My Japanese Life

It’s been almost two weeks since I arrived in Japan, and my third season living and working here is well underway. Although much is familiar, a couple significant factors are quite different, making this a new and unique experience.

Living Arrangement

First, I’m living in a different area (south of Tokyo instead of north, like I did my first two terms). I live in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, which is not far from one of my favorite places, Yokohama. (On a clear day, from a tall perch, the landmark buildings there can be seen.) It’s a 20-minute walk to the train station, through a densely populated neighborhood. There are a few cafes, grocery, convenience and 100-yen stores (similar to Western “dollar” stores, but these have a much better variety). I live in a basic, but cozy, Leopalace apartment. (Leopalace is the name of the chain of apartments that are assigned to Westgate teachers.) The ones I’ve lived in have the same floor plan and I’m completely content with them. It makes moving in easy, since I know exactly where I’m going to put everything.

Second-story living.

Standard-issue Leopalace apartment building.

View along the river, across the road from my apartment.

Although the building isn’t in the most scenic of locations, it’s right across the road from a path that runs along a river (not in view in the photo below). There are many cyclists and runners and it I’m happy to have such a convenient and protected place to run. No more crossing busy roads and dodging traffic on my morning runs.

Sunset in Kawasaki City. My running path.

Job Description

Second, my work situation has changed. This term I’m a Senior Instructor, which means I work in the Westgate office in Tokyo doing a variety of tasks, one of which will be helping with curriculum development. Also, if a teacher is sick, injured or has to leave, then I (or one of six other SI’s) will be available to fill in for that class. There are 61 universities that contract with Westgate, and we could potentially cover for any of those schools.

Of the 61 schools, 15 are part of WG’s Accredited Program (the rest are part of the Extra-Curricular Program*) and several of these accredited-program schools have strict rules regarding attendance and administering exams. One of these is Kanagawa University in Yokohama, where there are 13 regular instructors. Peter, another SI, and I spent two days there, along with the other teachers, getting oriented, meeting school officials and learning about the very detailed procedure for checking roll and giving exams.

KU’s Westgate instructors during a planning session.

Planning session in the English lounge at KU.

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From 7:30-8:30, I’m on-call at home. If I’m needed to cover a class, someone from Westgate will call, telling me which school I need to go to, as well as the lesson I’ll need to teach (there will be a notebook in the classroom or staff office with the lesson plans). If I don’t get a call by 8:30, then I immediately go to the WG office (which takes one hour and 20 minutes from my apartment to travel to).

The Accredited programs began this week, and in one month the Extra Curricular programs will start. Although I could be called any day, other SI’s have told me that it’s likely we won’t get called much until the EC programs start. There are so many more teachers involved and a higher possibility for absences.

Pros and Cons

I like knowing what to expect for the day, so being on-call could be a challenge for me. I’ll have to negotiate train routes that I’ve never been on before and be ready to teach a lesson that I can’t really prepare for since I won’t know when I’m actually going to teach. On the flip side, I think getting to visit new schools and seeing different parts of the city will be great.

Scott (from Canada) and Peter (Australia), fellow SI’s. (Her bag says Q-Pot Cafe. I have no idea.)

When I work at the office, I’m generally going to be glued to a computer all day. But the content could be interesting and the people I’m working with are smart, interesting and easy to be with. I admire and respect the Westgate staff and I’ve been looking forward to working more closely with them through this arrangement.

And the dress code is one I’m already used to and think should be adopted in Western cultures: not just suggested, but required – slippers!

Adhering to the strict dress code.

As in all homes and some restaurants, it’s Japanese custom to remove your shoes before entering. At the Westgate office we remove our shoes just inside the door and borrow slippers that are provided. It’s a practice that adds a layer of calm in a very busy working environment.

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And that is the plan laid out for me for the next three and a half months! I know I’ll be preoccupied with work during the week, but the weekends will be mine for continuing my exploration of Tokyo.

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*The main difference between the Accredited and Extra-Curricular programs is that students in the Accredited program are taking the WG English class as part of their regular coursework, they receive a grade and the class is required for their degree program. With the Extra-Curricular program, the students pay an additional fee to take the course, they do not receive a grade and the class is not required.

Hello Japan, I’ve Missed You.

I’m back in Japan and so very happy about it!

I left Denver on Tuesday, March 26th, and landed at Narita International Airport on Thursday, March 28. My route took me through Los Angeles and Seoul, Korea with hours-long layovers in both places. But I didn’t mind and the time seemed to pass quickly.

L.A. International Airport.

After finagling my way through immigration at Narita, retrieving my bags, then leaving them at the baggage delivery desk (the company would bring them to my apartment the next day), I found Kaori, the Westgate employee who was meeting the teachers as they arrived at the airport. She gave me the cell phone issued to me for the semester, then introduced me to another staff member who escorted me and another teacher to the train that would take us from the airport to another station. Here we were met by Ikue who accompanied us to another train, and then walked us to our apartments in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa. She made sure everything was working, set up my Internet service, gave me a packet of information, including my schedule for the next few days, and then hurried off to meet some more teachers who were arriving from the airport.

(The apartment I’m living in looks exactly like the one I lived in last term.)

It’s so nice to be able to relax a bit after getting through immigration, knowing that Westgate staff will be there to help us get to our apartments and make sure we’re comfortable. Everyone was so welcoming and it was a smooth transition.

There are eight teachers living in the apartment building, and one other teacher living in another building a few blocks away. Everyone except for one teacher (who’s worked for several years in other schools and countries) has taught for Westgate before, a few multiple terms. We’ll be working in Kanagawa University or Tokyo University of Technology, or as Senior Instructors (more on this later).

The day after our arrival, we met another WG person who accompanied us to the local city hall to have our information registered and/or updated. Then we were free to move about the land…

Bridge at the Imperial Palace.

Simon, Genene and I met another teacher-friend, Nicki, who lives a few train stops away, and together we went into Tokyo to meet Casey and Lucy for a picnic near the Imperial Palace. This is the season for hanami – “flower viewing” – the Japanese tradition of enjoying picnics with friends under the cherry trees when the blossoms are most vibrant. The trees near the palace were just past their prime, and the day was overcast, but we still had a great time having a small picnic and catching up.

Lucy, Casey, Simon, Genene and Nicki.

Cherry blossoms.

Although the weather has been chilly and rainy, it’s still been fantastic to be back here! I feel so at home and calm. I’ve reconnected with friends from the last two terms, met new ones, and am excited to see others who will arrive later, like my dear friend, Hannah, who will soon be returning. I’m looking forward to revisiting favorite places and exploring new corners of this dynamic city and country.

As always, thank you for following this continuing journey!