Journeys in Japan: Celebration and Community!
- Paul Dodson
- 17 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Between the sprawling city streets, vibrant lights, and culture Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places to be this time (or frankly any time) of year. The Summer heat and time difference are wonderfully contrasted with the hydrangea blooms and the wonderful group of people I’m grateful to call my peers here. After landing and adjusting to the time difference, interacting with the new cultural norms and language inspired my passion to explore and curiosity to learn more. Being able to step outside of my cultural bubble and experience new traditions help me deepen my understanding and appreciation of the communities I care about.
One of the first things we did as a class was visit the Tokyo Daijingu Shrine near our hostel to understand the rich tradition of prayers at the temple. The temple shone in the early morning sun as it nestled between the large buildings, bringing a serene pop to the cityscape as we walked in. Learning the traditional ways to wash hands, pray, and respect the several cultural customs that were new to us brought the group together. We shared this camaraderie together as well through dinner and karaoke as we got to know each other more as classes began.
Being able to study Intercultural & Small Group Communication was a great experience, as all of our lessons directly impacted how we saw and interacted with this new culture we all shared. Being able to attend festivals like the Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri (Lion Dance Festival) and the Candle Night for 1 Million People at Zozoji Temple gave us the chance to understand and celebrate culture together through vibrant food and dance. Whether it was the spirited streets of the Shibuya Crossing or the serenity of Arakurayama Sengen Park, being able to loose myself in the vibrant culture is something I will never forget.
Being present for these moments helped me to appreciate the intentionality of our actions and how we spend our time with our community and culture. I’m grateful for the chance to explore the cultural differences, and also to appreciate a new perspective on tradition. While there isn’t a checked bag large enough to bring back the superb convenience stores or the enthralling arcades with me, I can bring the cultural humility and wonder to keep exploring my own culture and tradition with my community. I’m grateful for the chance to share this part of my journey with others, and to be able to bring perspective to how interconnected peoples journeys are. Japan will always be a part of my story; helping me to appreciate how vast and beautiful culture is, and how we intentionally play a part in it daily.
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