Japan Study Trip 2013
16th of August 2013, 1.00 am. The cold night breeze greeted us while we boarded our plane for a six-hour journey to Osaka, Japan. The feeling of excitement, thrill, anxiety, and curiosity all jumbled up for the Malaysian delegates. When we landed at Kansai International Airport, it hits us that it was summer here. There is one hour difference between Japan and Malaysia. The bright sun was beautiful and we were warmly greeted by the ALSA Japan’s members as soon as we exited the departure hall. Awkward-I wouldn't say that. Their smile and their continuous question, asking whether we were hungry or not makes us feel welcomed!
The real excitement of this study trip begins when we meet all the other delegates from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and also Japan on the 18th. Osaka International Youth Hostel was a very pleasant place to stay as it has all the facilities but the shared public bath was a new experience for almost all of the South East Asia delegates. Hey, this is Japan so we took all the opportunity to learn more about their culture!
In Osaka, our days were occupied with table discussion program. There were four topics to choose from and each one of the delegates will participate in two table discussion. We had already chosen the topics way back when we were still in Malaysia so that we were able to dig up some information about it. The topics include (i)Child Labour, (ii)Disarmarment, Demobilization and Reintegration(DDR), (iii)Sustainable Fishery, and (iv)Peace and Security Problem in Asia. Apart from that, we were also given the chance to enjoy sightseeing in Osaka. There were a lot of places that we visited such as the infamous Dotonbori Street, Osakajo Castle and many more.
Day 4 of the study trip, we packed our bags and move to Kyoto. A journey which took one hour and a half by train was surprisingly fun and relaxed. Kyoto station was indeed a very beautiful place with a modern structured design. I must say it’s looked like our KL Sentral but far more “up-to-date”-If you get what I mean. Reaching Utano Youth Hostel by bus which operated like KL Rapid was a great experience. In case you are wondering, public transportation is our main transportation in Japan and we couldn’t imagine life in Japan without it. The night view in our new hostel was breathtaking. We joked around with the Thailand delegates by saying, “Wow, this is Japan.” Amazed by its traditional Japanese concept, with a bamboo forest surrounding the area, I cannot think of anyone who will not be blown away by this picturesque scene.
In Kyoto, it’s all about having fun! We felt like we were the tourists who came to Japan to enjoy what Japan has to offer for us. Our activities in Kyoto were mainly sightseeing. We visited lots of temples such as the Kiyomizu Temple,Ginkaku Temple, and many more. Most of our souvenirs were bought in Kyoto. There were 3 courses or route that we need to choose from which are the Higashiyama route, Sagano route and lastly the Rakuchu route. Each of these routes will bring us to a different destination and all I could say was Japan has a lot to offer!
The last night in Kyoto, we had our farewell party where great foods were served to us. As I recalls, there’s salmon, shrimp in chilli sauce, spaghetti, fried rice, sushi, meat, dessert and many more. Concern about whether the Muslim has anything to eat? I must sincerely thank the study trip committee for putting up a lot of effort in ensuring that the Muslim delegates can eat the foods that were served. Throughout the journey, they were never annoyed by our question in asking them whether there were meat inside our food. Let me tell you a story of my own. I wanted to buy this prawn tempura with rice and it come with a set of meat udon. I only wanted the tempura because I couldn’t eat the meat udon but the restaurant does not sell them separately. Therefore, I was thinking to buy bread for my lunch but one of the caretaker stop me and said “Let’s share the food, you take the tempura and I eat the udon.” I was moved by his action and with that, I thanked you Hiromu Ogawa.
Coming back to the farewell party, it was an event filled with laughter and tears. We exchanged our cards, facebook account, and many more. Seven days were enough to create a wonderful experience but the goodbye part was hard. ALSA is a very unique association which connects us through its wonderful events. To all the ALSA members out there, take this opportunity because I can ensure you that it will be a fantastic experience!
Written by,
NUR AMALINA MALIK
Treasurer
ALSA Malaysia
The real excitement of this study trip begins when we meet all the other delegates from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and also Japan on the 18th. Osaka International Youth Hostel was a very pleasant place to stay as it has all the facilities but the shared public bath was a new experience for almost all of the South East Asia delegates. Hey, this is Japan so we took all the opportunity to learn more about their culture!
In Osaka, our days were occupied with table discussion program. There were four topics to choose from and each one of the delegates will participate in two table discussion. We had already chosen the topics way back when we were still in Malaysia so that we were able to dig up some information about it. The topics include (i)Child Labour, (ii)Disarmarment, Demobilization and Reintegration(DDR), (iii)Sustainable Fishery, and (iv)Peace and Security Problem in Asia. Apart from that, we were also given the chance to enjoy sightseeing in Osaka. There were a lot of places that we visited such as the infamous Dotonbori Street, Osakajo Castle and many more.
Day 4 of the study trip, we packed our bags and move to Kyoto. A journey which took one hour and a half by train was surprisingly fun and relaxed. Kyoto station was indeed a very beautiful place with a modern structured design. I must say it’s looked like our KL Sentral but far more “up-to-date”-If you get what I mean. Reaching Utano Youth Hostel by bus which operated like KL Rapid was a great experience. In case you are wondering, public transportation is our main transportation in Japan and we couldn’t imagine life in Japan without it. The night view in our new hostel was breathtaking. We joked around with the Thailand delegates by saying, “Wow, this is Japan.” Amazed by its traditional Japanese concept, with a bamboo forest surrounding the area, I cannot think of anyone who will not be blown away by this picturesque scene.
In Kyoto, it’s all about having fun! We felt like we were the tourists who came to Japan to enjoy what Japan has to offer for us. Our activities in Kyoto were mainly sightseeing. We visited lots of temples such as the Kiyomizu Temple,Ginkaku Temple, and many more. Most of our souvenirs were bought in Kyoto. There were 3 courses or route that we need to choose from which are the Higashiyama route, Sagano route and lastly the Rakuchu route. Each of these routes will bring us to a different destination and all I could say was Japan has a lot to offer!
The last night in Kyoto, we had our farewell party where great foods were served to us. As I recalls, there’s salmon, shrimp in chilli sauce, spaghetti, fried rice, sushi, meat, dessert and many more. Concern about whether the Muslim has anything to eat? I must sincerely thank the study trip committee for putting up a lot of effort in ensuring that the Muslim delegates can eat the foods that were served. Throughout the journey, they were never annoyed by our question in asking them whether there were meat inside our food. Let me tell you a story of my own. I wanted to buy this prawn tempura with rice and it come with a set of meat udon. I only wanted the tempura because I couldn’t eat the meat udon but the restaurant does not sell them separately. Therefore, I was thinking to buy bread for my lunch but one of the caretaker stop me and said “Let’s share the food, you take the tempura and I eat the udon.” I was moved by his action and with that, I thanked you Hiromu Ogawa.
Coming back to the farewell party, it was an event filled with laughter and tears. We exchanged our cards, facebook account, and many more. Seven days were enough to create a wonderful experience but the goodbye part was hard. ALSA is a very unique association which connects us through its wonderful events. To all the ALSA members out there, take this opportunity because I can ensure you that it will be a fantastic experience!
Written by,
NUR AMALINA MALIK
Treasurer
ALSA Malaysia