At time of writing, it’s just become December here in Hirakata, and in spite of that, it’s not really all that cold. The Kansai region has a pretty comparable climate to Alabama, actually; both of them are Cfa (humid subtropical) climate types. That basically means that the summers are hot and humid, but the winters are fairly tame compared to other places. Needless to say, I didn’t need to miss the temperatures back home; I baked here just as well.
Climate aside, my stay only has two more weeks to go. Final exams are upon us, and while the idea of an exam with over 210 kanji is most definitely something I dread on the daily, the ending is still bittersweet. It’s hard to put into words, really. Over the time I’ve lived and studied here, I’ve adapted better than I expected. Things that first seemed near unfathomable when I arrived aren’t exactly remarkable anymore. When I first visited Kyoto and Osaka, it was surreal to see a place that was home to millions of people with my own eyes, one that I really saw only in pictures, right in front of my face. Now, though, I’ve been to one or the other over a dozen times. It’s more astounding to me that I can travel to one of them and back to Hirakata in a single day for about $5 USD.
I grew up in a pretty small town, one with less than 10,000 people, so I didn’t truly engage with urban living for an extended period of time until I came to Japan. Hirakata has a population 40 times that of my hometown, and the way it’s designed is incredibly different from the American idea of cities. I can feasibly walk to pretty much anywhere I need to go, with public transit in case I need it. That’s been one of my favorite parts of living here, truthfully. I don’t like driving much, to be fair, but it’s nice to just walk out of my dorm and go to class, shop at the local mall, meet with friends at a nice restaurant, or go for a stroll in general. Plenty of places in my hometown don’t even have sidewalks, so I got a lot of enjoyment out of just exploring around Hirakata.
Japan has a lot to offer for anyone who wishes to live here, work here, or just visit. There are major cultural landmarks to be sure, like the famed Fushimi Inari Shrine I got to visit a couple weeks ago, but I include more than the famous and well-traveled spots. I think that my favorite memories have been primarily from going off the beaten path. As an example, a friend of mine had a birthday during her time here, and the two of us plus another mutual friend went to a seafood restaurant she wanted to try. Unfortunately, the restaurant was full and we didn’t have an hour to wait, so we decided to explore the area. Literally around the corner ended up being a 1950s American diner-themed restaurant, of all things. Not only was the food great, but every wall of the place was covered with memorabilia, signs, neon lights, and more. It was the last thing any of us expected, but there it was, right there in the heart of a Japanese city. Chances are we never would have discovered it had we not decided on exploring.
Going to an American-style restaurant may not sound much like “the road less traveled by,” and as far as cuisine goes, it probably isn’t. However, I mention it to serve as a story of what can happen when allowing chance to decide where you go. Standing between you and a new experience can oftentimes be a single turn around the corner or a short train ride away. It’s a matter of taking the step toward it, to be ready and willing to explore beyond your comfort zone and see what’s out there.
In my time here I’ve met a lot of new people and seen a lot of new things. I can definitely say it’s more than I ever would have experienced in my cultural bubble back home. But, packing up things to ship to the US and preparing my suitcases has made the fact that I have to leave hard to ignore. I had plenty of times that I felt kind of “over” being abroad and wanted to return home, but I’ve fallen into a routine; I’ve gotten acclimated to living in Hirakata to a point that it feels strange to leave it behind, saddening. I won’t be able to walk a couple of minutes to get groceries anymore, I’ll have to drive to get to most places again, and I doubt most people will be conversing in Japanese in the middle of Tuscaloosa, much less my hometown. My friends come from all over the world, and it’s unlikely that I’ll ever see all of them in the same place again. My instructors will change, and the place that’s provided me the opportunity to live and learn for the past five months won’t be where I return to at the end of the day anymore. That feeling isn’t easy to stomach.
I really am glad to have had the immense opportunity to come here. There is no substitute for firsthand experience, and the time I’ve spent in Hirakata has only strengthened my belief in that truth. No matter how articulately a person speaks, writes, or communicates, there will always be subtlety that is left out. There is no way to truly convey the feeling of the wind while walking down the streets of Hirakata at night, the bustle of a train station at rush hour, or the warm joy of seeing kids running down the sidewalk to head back home from school. As much as we remember major experiences, life is about the little things too, no?
That’s what I always wanted to see when I came here. I’ve loved just walking down neighborhood streets, taking the time to live in the moment, as it were. I think there’s a lot of beauty in appreciating the mundane, what is often ignored or never thought of as we go about our lives. It’s a tranquil experience, to watch the world happen around you, and see both how strange, and yet familiar, it all is. I’m beyond grateful for the ability to indulge in that moment while I’ve lived here.
I’ll miss Japan greatly once I return. I’ll miss my classes, my teachers, and my friends. I’ll miss waking up and walking outside to be greeted by Hirakata every morning (or evening, given my sleep schedule). But, as sad as I am to leave, I’m happy that I had the chance at all. I’ll always carry the memories I’ve made here with me. And should you too ever find yourself somewhere new, feel free to explore. Who knows what you’ll find, but doubtless there will be a new memory for you to keep with you even after you’ve left.
