Tag Archive: KCP students
In July, we went to Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, which features animation works of Studio Ghibli. Although picture taking was not allowed inside the building, we managed to get a few snaps outside. We also enjoyed viewing all the exhibits showcasing the history and science of animation.
At the entrance of Ghibli Museum. | KCP Flickr
Posing in front of the giant robot statue on the museum‘s roof. | KCP Flickr
After Ghibli, we went to Kotobukiya Co., Ltd, a world-famous manufacturing company of model kits, fine art statues, and action figures. One of the Kotobukiya staff, Mr. Paske, gave us an informative presentation about Kotobukiya and international business, and the differences between American and Japanese markets.
Kotobukiya presentation. | KCP Flickr
Deep in discussion. | KCP Flickr
Group shot at Kotobukiya. | KCP Flickr
Playing with Kotobukiya products. | KCP Flickr
Kotobukiya Co., Ltd. kindly gave us Samurai sword chopsticks as presents. Their chopstick series, such as the Star Wars light sabers, have garnered big sales. | KCP Flickr
For more Summer Anime and Manga photos, check these out!
For more fun posts from our Summer Anime 2012 program, visit:
http://www.kcpwindowonjapan.com/2013/01/kameari/
http://www.kcpwindowonjapan.com/2012/07/aoyama-visit/
http://www.kcpwindowonjapan.com/2012/07/nagano-excursion/
http://www.kcpwindowonjapan.com/2012/08/character-street/
http://www.kcpwindowonjapan.com/2012/08/presentations/
http://www.kcpwindowonjapan.com/2012/08/sa-students-akihabara/
http://www.kcpwindowonjapan.com/2013/01/brittani-newson/
Tags: Japanese anime and manga program, KCP Anime and Manga Program, KCP Ghibli Museum visit, KCP International Summer Anime and Manga, KCP Kotobukiya visit, KCP students, Summer Anime and Manga
Posted in: KCP Excursions | Comments Off
In mid-November, the KCP fall term’s culture class went to Edo-Tokyo Museum to catch a glimpse of Tokyo’s history through various artifacts and exhibits. The museum showcases Tokyo’s past, from its humble beginnings as a small fishing village called Edo, to the bustling mega-metropolis it is today.
Check out our photos of the excursion!
This Ford type A was used as a taxi in the early Showa period. Back then it was 1 yen per ride! Of course, 1 yen’s value in Japan then was different from that of today. | KCP Flickr
You’ll need two people to carry you on this taxi. | KCP Flickr
The Edo-Tokyo Museum has tons of detailed mini-models of buildings and town to show the life in Edo. Tiny plastic dolls in the town models are all unique and hand-painted. | KCP Flickr
Fire was a big deal—there were 48 groups of fire fighters in Edo. Each group had their own matoi, a symbol for a leader to carry and wave on a roof in case of nearby fire. It weighs about 15 kg. Fire fighting has always been a tough job! | KCP Flickr
KCP students get a close look at silver coins during the Edo era. | KCP Flickr
KCP students view a detailed model of the Echigoya shop in the Edo period. The business started in 1673 and became the famous Mitsukoshi department store that we all know today. | KCP Flickr
Read our previous post about KCP’s excursion to Edo-Tokyo Museum this February.
Tags: Edo-Tokyo Museum, KCP Culture Class excursion, KCP excursion, KCP Fall term 2012, KCP students, Tokyo museum
Posted in: KCP Excursions | Comments Off
On July 7, KCP Summer Anime and Manga students went on an excursion to exciting Akihabara! This Tokyo district is famous as a major shopping area featuring the latest popular electronic gadgets.
KCP students checked out the showroom of Bandai, the world’s third-largest producer of toys. | KCP Flickr
They were all smiles as they posed in the middle of Akihabara. Behind them are coin lockers, fully painted with anime characters. | KCP Flickr
Japanese collector’s items are often impressive with their fine detail and high quality. Here, the students inspect them up close and admire their craftsmanship. | KCP Flickr
The Kotobukiya shop staff had the group’s complete attention as they talked about their shop and their products. Kotobukiya is renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship in model kits, collectible statues, and collectible toys. | KCP Flickr
Want to find out what else our Japanese Anime and Manga students have been up to? Check out more KCP photos!
Tags: Akihabara, Bandai toys, Japanese Anime and Manga Summer program, KCP students, KCP Summer Anime and Manga, Kotobukiya shop
Posted in: KCP Excursions | Comments Off
During the group sessions, students from the Short Summer and the Summer Anime and Manga programs had a half-day Tokyo tour. They went to Harajuku, the Meiji Shrine, Tsukuji, Ginza, and Asakusa.
After the tour, the students presented their impressions(see photos below) on what they did and what they observed. Considering some of these students could hardly even talk in Japanese before coming to Japan, being able to give presentations in Japanese after 10 days at KCP is a remarkable achievement!
Check out more of our photos at KCP Flickr.
Tags: KCP half-day tour, KCP presentations, KCP students, KCP study abroad
Posted in: KCP Program | Comments Off
On July 4, KCP students in our summer short-term class and in our new summer Anime and Manga program visited Aoyama Gakuin University (AGU) in Shibuya as part of their group sessions. They had fun practicing their Japanese language skills by chatting and hanging out with Japanese college students.
The activities started on a full stomach with KCP students eating lunch at the university’s new cafeteria. Next, they went to a classroom where they received warm greetings from Ms. Nagasaku, from the school’s International Exchange Center.
After introductions and an overview of the campus, KCP students were divided into 12 groups and toured the grounds, escorted by Japanese college students. Then, they went back to the classroom and did language tasks given by KCP teachers in advance, based on their linguistic levels.
Check out these photos!
Touring the campus. | KCP Flickr
In front of the Goucher Memorial Chapel. | KCP Flickr
Practicing Japanese in group sessions. | KCP Flickr
KCP students at the AGU campus. | KCP Flickr
For information about Aoyama Gakuin Universtiy, see http://www.aoyama.ac.jp/.
Want to see more photos of the university visit? Drop by KCP Flickr.
Tags: KCP group session, KCP students, KCP study abroad, KCP university visit, KCP visits Aoyama Gakuin University
Posted in: KCP Excursions | Comments Off
KCP students recently visited Nagano Prefecture. Student Deanna Nardy, of the Japanese Anime and Manga Program, tells us about the exciting excursion. Thanks for sharing, Deanna!
On June 29, we went to Narai-juku and Matsumoto castle by bus. Since Nagano is far from Tokyo, I needed to wake up at 5:30am for the trip. But since I was so excited about the trip ,I couldn’t sleep the night before!
The view from the bus window was beautiful. The big, tall mountains with lots of greenery were impressive. I saw many traditional houses in the mountains, too. I like the city life, but I also love the peaceful countryside.
Mountain view from a moving bus. | KCP Flickr
When we visited Narai-juku, we saw a big wooden bridge. The bridge is very old, so it was built very tough! In old days, many travelers took a break at Narai-juku. We saw lots of shrines and temples, and of course shops that sold hand-made goods.
By the Narai-juku wooden bridge. | KCP Flickr
It was a very sunny day, and I got thirsty all the time. I tasted Dango (round rice cakes on a stick) for the first time–they were delicious! I also bought a souvenir for my mother.
Walking around these lovely surroundings sure whets our appetite! | KCP Flickr
Then we went to Matsumoto Castle. On the castle property we took photos with a samurai. It was both fun and exciting. It was dim and a little scary inside but I loved the great panorama we saw from the 6th floor of the castle. Japan is truly amazing!
With a samurai in front of the Matsumoto Castle. | KCP Flickr
For more photos about the Nagano excursion, visit KCP Flickr.
Tags: KCP bus trip, KCP Nagano excursion, KCP Nagano summer short term 2012, KCP students, Nagano Prefecture
Posted in: KCP Excursions | Comments Off
After graduating from the KCP program, many alumni have moved on to work in companies and industries where they can practice their Japanese proficiency skills. Here, we interview Booker Small and Matthew Snyder, two former KCP students. They share their experiences and insights about the program and their plans for the future.
Booker and Matthew, we wish you both the best!
Tags: Booker Small, Japanese study abroad program, KCP International, KCP student experiences, KCP students, Matthew Snyder
Posted in: Student Views | Comments Off
In Japan, spring is much anticipated because it marks the blooming of the breathtaking cherry blossom (sakura) trees that are in many Japanese parks and gardens. Cherry blossom viewing, known as hanami, is a popular activity—both locals and visitors gather and picnic under the shade of the glorious blossoms.
This April 16, KCP students enjoyed the day at Shinjuku Imperial Garden (Shinjuku Gyoen), a large city park just a short walk from the KCP campus. They played games, chatted, and had a general good time surrounded by the beauty of the pastel colored sakura.
Check out these fun photos!
KCP students under the cherry blossoms. | KCP Flickr
Rock/paper/scissors? at Shinjuku Gyoen | KCP Flickr
Egg and spoon race! | KCP Flickr
Tags: cherry blossom viewing, hanami, KCP outing, KCP students, sakura Shinjuku, Shinjuku Gyoen
Posted in: KCP Excursions | Comments Off
Kamakura (鎌倉市) is a city about 50 kilometers south of Tokyo. It was the seat of the Shogunate and the Regency during the Kamakura Period (1185–1333). It is surrounded by Sagami Bay on the south, and hills on all other sides, which provided Kamakura with natural fortification and made it a formidable stronghold. Before modern civilization brought about roads and tunnels connecting it to other cities, Kamakura could only be reached by land through artificial passes. The seven main passes were called Kamakura’s Seven Entrances.
KCP students often visit Kamakura during culture classes. It has several ancient historic sites that illuminate Japanese culture and beliefs as seen in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. One example is the Sugimoto-dera, founded in the year 734 according to temple records. Another is the Kōtoku-in temple with its enormous outdoor bronze statue of Amida Buddha, one of Japan’s most famous icons. The city is also home to the Five Great Zen Temples, the “Kamakura Gozan.”
Students Pose with the Great Buddha statue at Kamakura| KCP Flickr
Kamakura has several festivals and events throughout the year to celebrate the heritage of the city and its people. A visit to Kamakura is truly an eye opening experience!
At the Kamakura bamboo forest | KCP Flickr
Last weekend, Tanaka-san and Kato-sensei, English support class teachers at KCP, led the winter term students to experience Kamakura for the U.S. culture class trip. It was surely an unforgettable visit for everyone.
Getting ready for the Kamakura Trip | KCP Flickr
KCP Winter Term students take a break with some snacks | KCP Flickr
Tags: Amida Buddha, Japan, Japanese, Japanese culture, Japanese historical site, Japanese history, Kamakura, Kamakura bamboo forest, Kamakura Japan, KCP, KCP culture class, KCP excursion, KCP International, KCP students, KCP study abroad program, Kōtoku-in, Sugimoto-dera
Posted in: KCP Excursions | Comments Off
Something about food and enjoying it brings people closer together. In mid-February, the KCP cooking club had a blast in their cooking session with Japanese college students from Hosei University.
Under the supervision of Tanaka-san and Utami-san, KCP rented a cooking room at Yotsuya Ward Center, where students created delicious gyoza (Chinese dumplings) and mapo tofu (a Szechuan dish made of marinated pork, mashed black beans, and bean curd.) Both these dishes originated in China but are now a part of daily Japanese cuisine.
Everyone had a fantastic time cooking and eating their succulent creations, while in the company of new friends.
Students make gyoza by wrapping a meat mixture with gyoza skin, which is made of flour. | KCP Flickr
Food looks delicious; everyone’s totally absorbed in their “work.” | KCP Flickr
Students take a little break from cooking to smile for the camera. | KCP Flickr
KCP students show off their culinary creation. | KCP Flickr
Past culinary adventures–
Japanese curry
A curry recipe
Learning lots of ways
Tags: cooking Japanese cuisine, Japanese cooking, Japanese culture, KCP cooking, KCP cooking class, KCP culture class, KCP culture learning, KCP students
Posted in: Japanese Culture | Comments Off
Older Posts »
