Trip #2 – Shinshiro

After a stressful week, I had a break from studying by going on a free-of-charge field trip. I went to a small town named “Shinshiro.” I went there with the culture program because they wanted international students to participate. It was cool because I was able to do community service and learn. First, I walked through the forest and learned the importance of caring for nature. Then, see how people burned wood to create houses and protect the wood from rain and insects. During the whole trip, the international students were interviewed about Shinshiro. Even though I have been almost two months living in Japan, my trip to Shinshiro felt like an authentic traditional experience. I made traditional Japanese pottery and mochi by hand (a snack made with sticky rice). I had a great experience and hoped to return to Shinshiro because it was too relaxing and beautiful.