I’m not sure if I should mention Japanese classes in my intended activities since I’m supposed to be working. I also don’t know if I should mention making videos or social media since Japan has a problem with rude tourists like Logan Paul.
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**Japan Working Holiday Outline of Intended Activities**
June 2023 – July 2023: Tokyo, Ghibli Museum
I will begin my travels in Tokyo where I will stay in one of Oakhouse’s share houses. For the first few weeks, I will take Coto Academy’s Intensive Japanese Beginner Course in June from the 6th to the 30th. I will set up for my time in Japan, prepare a phone, bank account, etc. I will also register for online teaching. I will spend my time familiarizing myself with the city and put what I have learned in the Beginner Couse to use. I have chosen Tokyo as the beginning of my travels for its many tourist destinations, fashion districts, and bilingual-friendly atmosphere. I will also visit the Ghibli Museum.
August 2023: Chubu Region
After acclimatizing myself to life in Japan, I will travel to the Chubu region to experience the rural side of Japan. I will start with the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival before moving into the countryside to see the Hoshitoge rice terraces, Mount Fuji, Echigo Tsumari Art Field, Kurobe Gorge, Shosen Valley, the Ghibli Theme Park, and Kenrokuen Garden.
September 2023: Kyoto, Kansai Region
Then I will settle in Kyoto to look for part-time work and experience the city’s rich culture and history. While staying in Kyoto I will travel in the Kansai region.
October 2023: Kyushu Region
In the last month of my travels, I will head south to the Kyushu region. I will visit the Yufuin Floral Market, and travel to Yakushima Island to see Yakushima Forest. At the end of the month, I will return to Tokyo before flying back home to Canada.
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**Letter of Intent**
To who it may concern,
The fire that kindled my love of Japan was sparked at a young age. A Japanese teacher at my school founded a club to share the art and culture of Japan with us.
I learned of the Director Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli and was swept away with wonder and imagination. I saw lovingly rendered countryside and rural landscapes that looked so different from my home. I heard the whispering winds in the rice fields, mountains, and deep forests. I pondered the temples and shrines and felt the itch of curiosity. These films awoke the spirit of adventure in me as a young girl.
Now that I’m older I want to make my childhood dreams a reality. I wish to experience the hustle and bustle of big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. I must discover if Robot restaurants are real and if you can really meet a Geisha in the Gion district of Kyoto. I want to make friends while signing karaoke or while sharing a meal at a small family-run restaurant.
I desire to immerse myself in the Japanese language and culture. I love to learn from the perspectives and experiences of others. It’s important for me to absorb the culture in a personal way. I hope to meet friends and mentors who will teach me about fashion and film in japan. I would love to study traditional clothing like Kimono and yukata in addition to contemporary styles like Lolita or Mori. I love the creativity of cosplay culture and if I visit Japan I must attend an anime convention.
I look forward to enjoying theater, cinema, and animation in Japan. Growing up, many animes shaped the way I tell stories as a filmmaker. Here in Canada, I have earned a Diploma in Film Production and a Certification in Art Fundamentals. I love to practice my profession by creating short videos on culture for my social media followers. I hope to capture the beauty of Japan through my own art and maybe spark some feeling of adventure in my audience.
I have always been interested in the daily lives of people in other countries. I would love to experience life in Japan as a Japanese person does. I hope to answer some questions such as; what kind of hobbies do Japanese people enjoy? What sports do they prefer? Which festivals do their hometown celebrate?
I feel I’m at a point in my life where the spirit of Japan can enrich me the most. I have traveled before and learned the openness required to truly appreciate a new way of life. I understand the great struggle and reward of stepping into an unfamiliar language and country. I promise to deal with the transition with great patience and humility. I know that these experiences will help me grow. I am committed to learning how to integrate myself into life in Japan. While I look forward to experiencing many enjoyable things, I also know that the lessons I learn will be just as valuable. Maybe even more.
Sincerely,
Mary Engstrom