Story by Lillian Chapman
Led by Stoney Brooks, Business and Technology professor at MTSU, 12 students flew from Nashville to Tokyo, Japan to start their three week trip. From visiting shrines during the day to experiencing the festive nightlife of Japan, the students were fully immersed in the rich culture and traditions of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
“The trip to Japan was a once in a lifetime experience. You get to be in one of the most populated countries in the world and experience a world in which high tech and culture meet,” Madelyn King, an animation major at MTSU, said.
While touring Tokyo, the group visited the Imperial Palace and the famous Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine that was built in 1920 to honor Emperor Meiji, a hub of culture and religion. It was a short walk from the main entrance through a lush forest to the temple. With two of the largest torii — gates that are often located at the entrance of most shrines and symbolize purification of the heart and mind — the shrine gets millions of visitors each year.
In contrast, the Sensoji Buddhist Temple was surrounded with shops. It was flooded with tourists looking to get authentic Japanese street food and gifts. People were crowding around to take pictures with the giant red lantern that stretches over three meters wide and almost four meters tall. Many visitors were clad in traditional Japanese dress — Kimonos for the women and Montsuki for the men.
“In Tokyo there is still a mix of old and new,” King said, “You can easily find cultural places like Sensoji Temple and Meiji Jingu that feel like you are transported back in time.”
On their free days, students ventured out in small groups and found activities to do on their own. They learned to navigate the train systems, many experiencing subways for the first time. Some visited the Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Zoo, themed cafes, Disneyland in Tokyo, festivals full of delicious food and fireworks and more shrines.
“From adjusting to the ridiculously small hotels to mastering the complicated subway system, this trip left me with a completely different impression than I expected to get from Japan,” said student Richmond Antwi.
Students spent a day being trained in traditional ninja and samurai techniques. Dressed in shinobi shozoku— the special outfit worn by ninjas — they practiced stealth, sword skills and ninja star and knife throwing.
The class focused on the business side of Japan, a goal accomplished by visiting the Nissan Motor Global Headquarters in Yokohama. The students toured the factory and learned the history behind Nissan before meeting some of the global marketing and business employees. They asked questions and learned how large companies function at a global level.
From the mountains that can be seen on the train ride to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto is full of breathtaking views. Upon arrival, the students dropped their bags off at the hotel and started exploring the city.
“My favorite thing about Japan was how they preserved old buildings, shrines, castles, and even streets,” Antwi said, pointing out many of the places that could be found in the quieter streets of Kyoto and Osaka, “Himeji Castle, Gion Districts, and Kinkakuji Temple specifically were my favorites.”
On their final day in Osaka, the students met Japanese university students from Kansai Gaidai University. The Japanese students taught the MTSU cohort traditional Japanese calligraphy while comparing university in Japan with what they have experienced in America. The students parted ways after exchanging information and promising to keep in touch.
“The trip is very difficult but very rewarding. You really get to dive right into Japanese culture and experience it for yourself,” MTSU student Grace Woods said.
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