The 2nd Teacher Meetup – where meeting up and finding each other was the hardest part.
Tokyo: a busy city pulsating with life – where tradition meets innovation, and every corner holds a new adventure (and different vending machine)… From navigating the crazy subway system to kanpai-ing over yakinikku, the joy of making new friends so far away from home will never get old.
Last weekend, teachers from all over Japan gathered in Tokyo for 2 fun-filled days of sightseeing. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, the agenda was filled with mini-excursions that left us in awe of Tokyo’s charm. With each step, we absorbed the history at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, marvelled at the towering views from Tokyo Skytree, and navigated the neon-lit wonderland of Akihabara. The next day, we even made time to check out the crazy fashion stores in Takeshita Street, Harajuku. Beyond the sightseeing, these moments gave us a sense of unity and belonging that will undoubtedly enrich our teaching practices. As the weekend came to a close, we all left Tokyo with new-found inspiration and memories, ready to infuse the classroom with cultural insights and renewed enthusiasm.
THE START: After sifting through tons of exit gates and what felt like a million people, we found each other and headed to the first stop: Tokyo Skytree! We didn’t know this until arriving, but apparently, the entire deck becomes a beacon of holiday cheer as soon as Halloween is over! The Christmas tree – sparkling with an array of colourful lights and themed ornaments – added to the impressive displays reminding us of home. There were even food and drink stalls. Some of us tried to keep warm by sipping mulled wine and others found comfort in the oversized churros. The panoramic view from the observation deck was unbelievable. The Skytree looks [big] from far away, but up close, it actually hurts your neck looking up to see the entire thing since it’s humungous.
Teacher meet-ups are really important to us because they help facilitate networking among educators from all different backgrounds. Teachers have a chance to share insights, experiences, and strategies which builds a supportive community. We also love laughing at mistakes made. Teachers based in Tohoku, Kanto and Kyushu made the trip out this time round.
After Tokyo Skytree, it was off to Asakusa… As we arrived, the forever-bustling Nakamise-dori street, lined with stalls selling traditional snacks and crafts, beckoned us to try sweets of the past. Then, as we walked towards the iconic Senso-ji Temple, the red gate, known as Kaminarimon, greeted us – much bigger and bolder than the photos. A few of us couldn’t leave without trying authentic Matcha while the rest paid ¥100 for omikuji. [Omikuji] is a traditional Japanese style of fortune-telling. Basically, you draw a small slip of paper from a box, after making a small offering. These slips contain various predictions or advice that range from excellent luck to bad luck in different aspects of life, such as health, relationships, studies, business, travel, or general fortune. If it’s a good fortune, we often keep it. If the fortune is bad, we tie the slip onto a rack or tree near the shrine or temple grounds, leaving the negative fortune behind and seeking better luck.
Next stop… Akihabara!
Venturing into Akihabara with everyone was an electrifying escapade into Tokyo’s tech and anime mecca. The district’s neon lights and towering billboards immediately immersed us in a futuristic wonderland. As we strolled down Chuo Dori, the main avenue, we were engulfed by uncountable anime-themed shops, electronic stores, eclectic arcades and maid cafes. Exploring the multi-storied buildings dedicated to manga, anime, and gaming would have taken an entire day (we only had 2 hours). It was crazy to see in real life since many of our favourite anime have one or two scenes shot in this exact spot.
Finally, after what felt like 50 000 steps, it was time to eat! And where better to grab dinner, than Shibuya Crossing? Bustling between the flashing lights, scrambling people, and uncountable shops, we just about made it for our reservation. Yakinikku aka barbeque was well-deserved. As we kanpai’d to the long day, the all-you-can-eat fresh meat and veg just kept on coming… and the boys on duty kept on cooking (between sips of highballs). After dinner, some headed back to the hostel right up the road while others went in search of a nightcap – I don’t think they had to look very far.
So after the old, onto the new. Taking the corner and crossing the street (towards the madness) felt like entering a kaleidoscope of colours, fashion, and youth. The streets were alive with a mix of locals and other tourists – naturally. We enjoyed browsing through the unique clothing stores, accessories shops, and crepe stands… WOW – were their crepe stands! Didn’t know this, but Harajuku is famous for them. After spending way too much time wandering the side streets and pit-stopping for lunch, it was sadly time to head home.
Building a network while living abroad is crucial for professional opportunities, cultural integration, personal growth, and support. It offers learning experiences, creates a network, and can lead to future opportunities both abroad and even after returning home. This weekend was unforgettable. It was a pleasure to meet teachers living all over Japan and from all over the world.
“It was a jam-packed weekend filled with subway rides, hilarious conversations, losing each other, finding each other, practising our Japanese and getting to know more of the culture while meeting other teachers just like us! One thing is for sure – we all hit our step count goal!”
– Lay, Xplore Organizer
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