Packing!!

       Today was such an exhausting day. All that packing! I had to pack, and then check to make sure I had everything, and then check again. I had finally finished after at least two tiring hours. I have planned my whole trip already!  I am expecting to be leaving Maple Ridge at around 10:00 tomorrow morning, since my plane leaves at 4:00 p.m. I am so fascinated with the whole idea of learning about Japanese religions, and historical events. I am even more thrilled with the idea that my best friend Karli and I are going together! Just us, with no parents at all! I guess I  better get to sleep now, or I will end up missing my flight. And that just can not happen, not tomorrow anyway!

Leaving Maple Ridge!

Wow, what an amazing flight! That Air Canada plane was massive! I think it held close to 400 people. As soon as Karli and I got on the plane, the first thing that caught my eye was how big it was. We couldn't even see to the back! After we got all settled in, and comfortable in our seats, Karli and I started watching movies that I brought on the 12' inch DVD screen right in front of us. Once the movie was over, I took out my book on Japan and started researching all about the neat Historical events that happen in Japan. Out of all the amazing events, my favourite was the dropping of the Atomic Bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I hope to find out more about this event during my travels in Japan! As soon as I put my book away, A very nice lady came up to me and asked us if we would fancy anything to eat or drink. Of course we said yes, I mean how could we turn down a perfectly good meal. The food size was outrageous! I think the cheeseburgers were bigger than the size of my head. And the drinks were at least the size of Karli's hand, times three. Even though it was big, it was delicious! I had only gotten half-way through my meal when the lady that gave us the meals took it away and told us there will be no more meals until morning. We just couldn't believe it was 10:00 p.m already! But, Karli and I went to sleep anyway. I guess we needed the rest for our big day ahead of us. The next morning didn't have much to it. We woke up at around 8:00 a.m, we had breakfast and the plane landed close to 9:00 a.m. Then a Double Decker bus picked us up from the airport and  took us to where we needed to be at the Shelpen Inn & Suites. Now, we are basically resting, and we will start the exploring bright and early tomorrow morning!   

 

The Hiroshima Museum

We had a long rest on Saturday, and today we have been exploring the best Japanese museum in all of Japan, plus the Hiroshima museum is right across the street from the Shelpen Hotel.Surprisingly enough, theHiroshima museum is actually a very popular landmark in Japan. Karli and I went to the 

 museum an learnt a lot of interesting information about Japan. When we first got there we went to an exhibit where the two of us learnt all about Japan's location in the world. We found out that this Country is i

n the Continent of Asia, west of South Korea. Japan 

is a country made up of hundreds of Islands, with four main islands called: Hokkaido, Honshu`, Kyushu, and Shikoku shown to the left. . We also learned

 that Japan is surrounded by the Pacific ocean and the Sea of Japan. Japan is on the northern side of the 

Hemisphere. At the very end of the exhibit was a huge painting of a map of the world, it showed Japan's neighbouring Countries: Russia, North Korea, and South Korea. Next, We started to explore a new exhibit which I have never seen before. We were in a really strange, dark room with black and white 

pictures all over the walls. I wasn't sure what they were of, until I read an article about the dropping of the Atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, this article

was laying on the wall right bellow many historical pictures of th

e dropping of

 the Atomic Bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The article read that the bomb was dropped by an American named Enola Gay. This terrible event happened in

early August of 1945. Three days later of the dropping of the bomb in Hiroshima. If there wasn't already enough damage, the Americans dropped another bomb in Nagasaki. According to the U.S, they had many good reasons for dropping the two bombs. First of all, Russia wanted to take over the island of Japan, which would be very embarrassing for the Americans because the U.S.A had been fighting in the war, against Japan, for the longest time, and Russia had only just begun a battle against Japan. Second, the bomb may have turned the Russians against challenging America for the island. Another reason for this dreadful experience was because the American scientists wanted to test the bomb in an actual war. Last, but not least the U.S. had spent over 2 billion dollars on this project and the leaders of the government wanted to see the results. Wow, that is pretty amazing how bad the war was back then! In Canada now nothing like that has happened for the longest time. Before we left the museum both Karli and I grabbed  something to eat at the food court. Surprisingly they had excellent food! After the museum, we just hung out at or hotel pool for the rest of the day!

 

Tsunami!!

WOW!! I have never seen something so dreadful or sad in my life! We started the day off with some breakfast at our hotel. Then, after breakfast a taxi took us to the most amazing beach in all of Japan called, Saku beach. It was literally amazing! It looked just like one of the beaches in the Hollywood movies. Karli went swimming in the ocean with me, we built sand castles, we played beach volleyball, and we even went surfing! Just after we had our picnic, we were about to go and hit the waves again until Karli said that she saw something far out in the ocean and it was coming towards us! At first I didn't believe her, but then it came closer and I saw it too. It looked like a giant wave, and it was heading right for us! One moment the beach was silent, and the next everyone was running around screaming like crazy maniacs! L

uckily, everyone had gotten away quick enough, and know one was injured. Although the city was very badly damaged. It would take months or maybe even years to repair it. As soon as the destruction was over, we got talking with this man named Ron Quenzies, who wa

s also visiting Japan like us. He was from Australia, but he knew a lot more about Japan than we did. He told us that we had just experienced a real live tsunami, and that they were common in Japan mainly because Japan has so many earthquakes. He also said that there has not been a tsunami that huge for centuries in Japan, although they have small ones all the time! We found out that a tsunami is a series o

f big waves started by a body of water. If there is an earthquake beneath the water, instead of shaking the ground, it will form a tsunami. Ron said that tsunamis can also occur because of landslides, volcano eruptions, explosions, and sometimes even meteorites too. He mentioned that it is very rare that people have even the slightest injury at all. After talking to Ron about tsunamis, Karli invited him back to our hotel for a snack, and so we could find out more info about Japan. After we got back to our hotel room, Ron told us about the Climate in Japan. He told us that Hokkaido is the 

coldest island in Japan. And that in Hokkaido, there is lots of snow in the winter. Plus they have fairly mild summers. He mentioned that in Honshu their summers are very warm, and their winters are quite mild. We also found out that the rest of the islands to the south are tropical islands,  they tend to be warm all year round. Like Canada, Spring months in Japan are March, April, and May, and Summer months are June, July, and August. Mr. Quenzies told us that Summers in Japan are usually hot and humid, and that rain only lasts up to 40 days. Ron  described how late

summer is the season for typhoons and violent tropical hurricanes that bring floods and landslides to Japan. Obviously, Autumn months are September, October, and November, and anywhere from August to October is where typhoon season occurs. In the Winter months, December, January, and February it snows a lot on near the Sea of Japan, and it is dryer near the Pacific Ocean. I couldn't believe how much Japan's climate is similar to Canada's! I thought it would way different, but it's really not. Before Ron left, he told us that great times to travel in Japan might be early or mid-April, mid or late-May, and October or early November. The temperatures are mild, and there is not too much rain at that time. Ron Quenzies said he has had an excellent time, then he gave us both presents and left.  

                                                                                           

Customs & Cultures

Today, Karli and I went to a famous Japanese restaurant not to far from our hotel. Their food was amazing! I had yakitori and green tea. While Karli had California rolls and Pokari sweat. Right when we finished our meals, A Japanese woman named Yumiko Yokohama, wearing some kind of fancy dress, sat down right beside us. She started chatting to us all about Japan's customs and cultures. She said that she was wearing a kimono, which are usually worn for special outings or occasions. Yumiko told us about a few other customs in Japan. Like bowing, Japanese people mainly bow because it is respectful instead of shaking hands. Another custom in Japan that Yumiko described to us, was how Japanese always take off their shoes and put on slippers before entering anybody else’s house. They mainly do this because all Japanese think it is respectful as guests to wear slippers in a hosts house. A culture in Japan that I really found interesting was how Japan has a tradition of acting, dancing, singing, performing, and theatre! Yumiko started telling us all about Children's day. Which Karli and I found really interesting. I would love to have a Children's Day back in Canada. It takes part on May 5th every year, since it was once called boy's day. Where only young boys got treated like royalty. The last culture in Japan that Yumiko described were all the festivals that Japan has. Like Lantern Festivals, Ice Festivals, New Years, and Summer Festivals. Before we left the restaurant Yumiko invited us to the Tanabata festival that was going on tonight. The Tanabata festival is held on July 7th which celebrates the love between two celestial stars. For this occasion, people both young and old parade through the city wearing kimonos. They are also carrying lanterns, colourful streamers, or bamboo poles. We agreed to come to this festival on our way out the door.

The Tanabata Festival

Before the Tanabata festival Karli and I went shopping for kimono's. Although when we left, we had no idea how expensive kimonos really are. I don't think there was one kimono under a thousand dollars. We were 

obviously not going to pay that much money, so we decided to just wear waiting there with kimono's for us. She obviously knew we didn't have any. So we got dressed, and then we joined the festival. It was 

amazing! There was dancing, singing, lights, decorations, food and rides, My favourite was the dancing! We got a chance to learn abiout new, interesting dances which we hav’nt learned before, by the end of the night,we were pros! After some fun, we ate an amazing dinner, received tiara's, and then watched some dancing entertainment. it was a long night. We didn't get home until at least midnight. 

Mt.Fuji

Today, we are going to see Mount Fuji in Hiroshima. Supposedly, Mount Fuji is one of the tallest mountains in the world. And the most

famous mountain in all of Japan. Fuji actually means gushing out in the one of the languages in Japan, called Ainu. Mount Fuji has that name, because Ainu witnessed a huge eruption close to ten thousand years ago.

A walk of a life time!

We have just arrived home from Mount Fuji. It was spectacular. Karli and

 I climbed all the way to the top. It took around 6 hours to climb. Once we reached the top we were exhausted. Although it was definitely worth it! The view from on top of Mount Fuji was amazing. You could see all of Japan from the top. I literall

y felt like I was on top of the world. It was like a view of a life time. We stayed on top of Mount Fuji for at least an hour, then we headed back down to the bottom again. the rest of the day Karli and I just explored the Island.

A Cruise around the Island

Today we had an amazing adventure. Karli and I walked, took a bus, taxi, and train. Until we finally 

got to the very tip of Hiroshima. That's where Karli and I saw a huge boat as big as the Titanic. We heard that this boat took us around the island of Japan pointing out the Oceans, mountains, islands, forests, and lakes. We thought this would be a great opportunity to discover Japan, so we jumped on the boat. First, we came to the tip of the Pacific Ocean. Where the Captain of the boat named Jonathon Charo, told us that there were four main oceans surrounding Japan. The names of the Oceans are the north pacific ocean, the sea of japan, the Philippine sea, and the East China sea. We learnt that Japan's land includes: high mountains, narrow valleys, rivers. Next, we discovered the islands of Japan. This Country has four main islands . The four islands include: Hokkaido`, Honshu`, Kyushu, and Shikoku. There are also hundreds of little islands in Japan, but those four are the main ones. As we past another island we noticed a very large forest on our right. Jon explained that Japan was made up from 61.7 % of forests. Jonathon also described how 53% of our forests are natural. That didn't surprise me at all! Next, on our left we passed Mount Fuji, one of the most poplar mountains in the world. The captain said that mountains cover 70% of Japan land. Mount Fuji once was a volcano, but it has not erupted for 300 years. Jon told us that there are thousands of mountains in Japan, and he told us a few names of some. I think they were Mount Ra usu, Mount Tokachi, Mount Gassan, Mount Hiragatake, and Mount Zao. Jon also explained that there are many lakes in each island of Japan. A few were lake Shinji, lake To'ya, lake Inawashiro, and lake Akkeshi. We circled backwards a few times around Hiroshima, and then we headed back for shore. It was a very exciting day!

Earthquake!

This Morning when I woke up and the ground was shaking. At first I didn't know what it was, but s

oon enough I realised it was an earthquake. So, Karli and I did what you are supposed to do in any earthquake, take cover under a desk, table, or bed. We waited for about five minutes, until we knew for 

sure it was over, and then we headed outside. As soon as we got out side we noticed that there was millions of dollars of damage towards the city. It was amazing how much a little earthquake can do. Karli and I got talking with a bellhop for our hotel. His name was Hironori Takamoto. He told us that Earthquakes were common in Japan more than in any other nation. I learnt that Japanese people feel 1500 earthquakes a year, although some of them are not as big. Also earthquakes usually do not cause too much damage. We learnt that usually once every two years earthquakes cause serious damage, which leads to death. When earthquakes are on land, Buildings, farmland, and villages can be destroyed. Hironori explained that offshore earthquakes usually lead to tsunamis. Mr. Takamoto also said if there was ever a severe earthquake in Tokyo, it would be devastating if anything ever happened to the land. After our bellhop explained earthquakes in Japan, he continued to tell us about volcanoes in Japan. He said that Mount Fuji was once a volcano, and that it h

as not erupted for close to 300 years. Hironori explained that around 75 volcanoes in Japan are still active, but none have erupted lately. The bellhop informed us that there are several islands in Japan that have volcanoes. Smoke puffs out of the volcanoes some of the time, and sometimes springs bubble, but rarely are there big eruptions. Mr. Takamoto also informed us that Japan is part of the ring of fire that goes around the Pacific Ocean. The ring of fire continues to reshape the land everyday. Japan has about 170 volcanoes in the ring of fire, 75 which are still active. Sometimes earthquakes can even be caused by volcanoes erupting, but not very often. Once we were sure it was safe to go back in to the hotel, we headed back, and said goodbye to Hironori!

Tokyo!!

 

I woke up at around 5:30 this morning, we had planned a very busy day! Karli and I were planning on moving out of our hotel, and taking a long train ride to Tokyo so we could meet the Prime Minister. We were still riding on the train, but almost there. The the right we saw lots of amazing lights! Then Karli spotted an amazing landmark in Tokyo, The Tokyo Towers. Luckily, I got a snap shot of the Tokyo Towers shown above. Once we got off the train, We headed straight for Taro Aso's residents. After we got there Karli and I read some information about the current national government. I found the book right inside the front doors. We learnt that they have a constitutional government with a parliamentary government. We also learnt a few other interesting facts about Japan's government. Like: How the Cabinet is always appointed by the Prime Minister, and how in elections work. Elections in Japan is where everyone in Japan does research on different Parties and they vote who they want to have as the next Prime Minister. Another rule for elections is how majority rules, and how the leader of the majority party usually becomes Prime Minister for about 6 years. From reading I found out that there were three branches to the Japanese government. The Judaical Branch, the legislative, and the executive branch. The Judaical branch is the Supreme Court, The chief justice is appointed by the monarch after designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the cabinet. The legislative branch is where members of Parliament become part of the government for six year terms, and there are 146 spots for members. Last, but not least the Executive branch! That is basically the head of the government Also known as Prime Minister, Taro Aso. One interesting fact I found about Japan's government, is how their political parties have different names. For example: The Democratic Party of Japan or the DPJ, The Japan Communist Party or the JCP, The Liberal Democratic Party or the LDP, and the Social Democratic Party or SDP. Once I got bored of the book, Karli and I walked upstairs to Taro Aso's room, to have tea and cake with him, I can't believe he invited us! I mean why us? It turned out he wanted to find out information about different countries, Like Canada and how their governments work. So we told him about ours, and he told us about his. It turned out our governments are very similar in a lot of ways, but also very different.

Leaving Japan!

Today Karli and I are heading back to Canada! We have had an amazing trip, and I hope next time our class does a big project like this one, we can explore the place, instead of doing a bunch of boring research. Cause both Karli and I had a blast! A few things I didn't mention 

while I was on my trip were: How we went to a Japanese Zoo. Where we saw lots of really cool different Animals, that you would never see in Canada or the U.S. We also saw a few Buddha's throughout our travels. Supposedly, Buddha's came from India, spread from china to Korea, and then ended up in Japan. Buddha's were built in 1252, and they over 14 meters high. Buddhists also believe that you can be born over and over again. Karli and I did a few other interesting things in Japan like: the tea ceremony, origami making, and a tour through the jungle. But nothing as exciting as the walk up mt. Fuji! Like I said before, I had an amazing time, and i can't wait until we do another project!

Bibliography

Bibliography

WebSites


- https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/ja.html
- http://web-japan.org/atlas/index.html
- http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/as.html
- http://dictionary.reference.com/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Japan
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_islands_of_Japan
- http://www.saveamericasforests.org/JapansForests/Japansforests.html
- http://www.factmonster.com/atlas/country/japan.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Ring_of_Fire
- http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/c01cont.htm
- http://gojapan.about.com/cs/weather/a/climateinjapan.htm
- http://www.mrdowling.com/616-ringoffire.html
- http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/japan/japan_government.html





Books:

- JAPAN by: Gwynneth Ashby.
- Japan the people by: Bobbie Kalman
- world Library Japan by: Edward Seidensticker
- Japan the culture by: Bobbie Kalman
- Japan Country File by: Michael March







Pictures

generic-boarding-pass-airline-ticket ...
2460 x 1034 - 405k
www.jasondunn.com

... the BMW Tropical BeachHandbook.
800 x 600 - 94k - jpg
www.lakbaypilipinas.com

... such as earthquakes,tsunamis, ...
600 x 392 - 34k - jpg
www.cumbavac.org
[ More from www.cumbavac.org ]

Map of Japan, Russia,China, North ...
538 x 664 - 45k - gif
www.yourchildlearns.com
[ More from www.yourchildlearns.com ]

Map of Japan - Islands
560 x 559 - 17k - gif
www.japaneselifestyle.com.au
[ More from www.japaneselifestyle.com.au

MotorCity Casino Hotel Room: ...
2291 x 1552 - 564k - jpg
z.about.com
[ More from z.about.com ]

Hiroshima, in the aftermath of the ...
520 x 614 - 24k - jpg
hubpages.com

... the atomic bomb onHiroshima, ...
1113 x 1376 - 204k
historicalresources.org

... eventually drop theAtomic Bomb ...
438 x 599 - 77k - jpg
www.upa.pdx.edu

en: Hiroshima PeaceMuseum
1024 x 771 - 74k
upload.wikimedia.org
[ More from upload.wikimedia.org ]

Swimming Pool - Dai-IchiHotel Tokyo ...
480 x 374 - 49k - jpg
travel.aol.com
[ More from images.leonardo.com ]

Sunroute Hotel Hiroshima
214 x 250 - 50k
www.accomline.com

new hybrid double decker buses.
443 x 389 - 86k - jpg
www.autobloggreen.com

... Any ConventionalLuggage Cart.
377 x 513 - 222k - jpg
www.glaro-products.com

Could Diet Soda Cause Diabetes, Too?
550 x 1024 - 112k - jpg
www.burningthescale.com

... was not a big burger.
648 x 486 - 36k - jpg
img.photobucket.com

Air Canada Airbus
1024 x 717 - 105k - jpg
www.airplane-blog.com
[ More from www.airplane-blog.com ]

Samsung DVD-L1200 12" Portable DVD ...
500 x 500 - 35k - jpg
images.amazon.com

Japan uses state-of-the-art...
285 x 424 - 12k - gif
web-japan.org

File:Japan flag - variant.png...
3543 x 2480 - 57k - png
upload.wikimedia.org
[ More from upload.wikimedia.org ]

Poipu Beach Park
721 x 381 - 46k - jpg
gohawaii.about.com
[ More from z.about.com ]

.. of a Natural Grass Soccer Field ...
537 x 358 - 55k - jpg
www.clarkcompanies.com

Nevis Low Profile PanelBedroom
1000 x 665 - 112k
www.gowfb.com
[ More from www.gowfb.com ]