Oldenborg Center

Where do you live in your home country?
I’m from Wakayama in Japan. I went to elementary school, junior school and high school in Wakayama. I guess you don’t know where Wakayama is.  It is located in Kansai on Honshu Island and it’s near Osaka, which is the second biggest city in Japan. Wakayama is rural and there are many green places, beautiful rivers, the Pacific Ocean and a famous castle.  I went to University in Kobe, which is also in Kansai, but it is totally different from Wakayama.  I love Kobe because it is modern and is an more international city.

What is your favorite cultural tradition or holiday? Why is it special to you?
My favorite cultural tradition and holiday is, of course, New Years Day. It is really fun and enjoyable! When I was a child I got New Year’s gifts from relatives, but unfortunately not now I am grown up…I wish I were still little! I always look forward to eating traditional foods, soup and rice cakes. I celebrate New Years Day with family and friends and we eat, chat and go to a shrine and a temple. New Years holiday makes me happy and relaxed.

What is your favorite dish?
I can’t choose my favorite dish because I love everything!
In my area, Kansai, Takoyaki is very popular. Takoyaki looks like a small ball, about the size of a golf ball, but it tastes much better. Each ball is made from flour, water, fish stock, chopped cabbage and ginger and in the center you put a piece of octopus! I like to hold Takoyaki Parties with my friends.  Other favorite dishes are Sushi, especially Tuna, and any kind of chocolate, and ice cream!

What fun activities do you like to engage in?
I like watching baseball games in the stadium. I am a big fan of Hanshin Tigers baseball team in Japan! I have a team t-shirt, team towel and a megaphone for cheering my favorite team.  Of course I love to watch base ball games on TV as well. In my free time, I often go shopping (mainly window shopping) and go to Starbucks. If you want to know more about Japanese fashion, please come to my office and let’s talk about it!

What do you look forward to the most about being in the U.S. this coming academic year?
Everything I will experience! I think this coming academic year might be challenging for me, but I am so excited about meeting you and doing new things in the U.S.! Though I am Japanese, I don’t know everything about Japan so perhaps I might be able to learn from you, too. I would like to learn from you and share Japanese culture with you.

I hope to see you soon!