KIM SENDS

Category: Japan

  • A Visit to Arima – The Oldest Onsen Town in Japan

    Today was another tough day of learning. The after-class activity was a visit to Arima, the oldest onsen town in Japan. Arima is known as the birthplace of onsen culture, where hot springs were first discovered and developed. The water here has a distinct golden-brown color, setting it apart from other onsen. We spent the…

  • First Day of Japanese Learning Immersion

    Today was the first day of my Japanese language immersion program. I woke up a bit early to give myself plenty of time to commute, just in case I missed a train or got lost. At Motomachi Station, as I waited for my train, another arrived first. A rush of people stepped off, their footsteps…

  • Exploring Hostel Anchorage: Food and Fun

    Settling into Hostel Anchorage This morning, I moved hostels to Hostel Anchorage. After dropping off my bags, my first priority was food. Luckily, the hostel is right next to the station, meaning plenty of restaurants and food stalls were just steps away. I wandered through the station shops, scanning the options, when I noticed a…

  • Delicious Pancakes and Osaka Adventures

    A Morning Pancake Craving This morning, I woke up craving pancakes, so I set out in search of a good café. I found my way to a small, charming coffee shop that looked like something out of a storybook. The place was adorably decorated, with tea cups hanging along the bar and walls, each with…

  • Climbing in Kobe: A Unique Rooftop Experience

    Arriving in Kobe & Hostel Disappointment After a morning of thrifting in Susukino, I caught my flight to Kobe, excited to explore a new city. I checked into my hostel, expecting a cozy spot to unwind after traveling, but… I was a little disappointed. I had booked my stay as two separate reservations—one short stay,…

  • Fear is just the beginning of a new adventure

    Hello adventurer When was the last time fear held you back from something you truly wanted? It’s so easy to let it win—to stick with the status quo, to stay comfortable. But on the other side of fear, there’s something unexpected: growth, connection, and experiences we never saw coming. February 12th After basically inviting myself…

  • From Penny-Pinching to Prioritizing Value

    I used to be deeply frugal—pinching pennies, cutting corners, always looking for the cheapest way to get by. Moving to the Bay Area only amplified this mindset. The sheer sticker shock of rent pushed me to find ways to save. I moved into a house with four roommates, though I paid a bit more to…

  • Breaking out of my shell

    Hello adventures, February 11thThe day started out without a hitch. I packed up my belongings and gathered a few snacks to prepare for my 2 hr drive back to New Chitose airport to return my rental car. The company was unfortunately booked full and I couldn’t keep the car for an extra 2 days. My…

  • Diving into Onsen Culture

    Hello adventures, These last few days have been less chaotic but still eventful! I’m so trying to figure out the cadence of writing. It’s been hard to find time to be at my laptop. It only occurred to me recently that I can take notes on my phone while commuting and such. Feb. 9thMy first…

  • Home faraway

    Somehow these past 48 hours were even more chaotic then the last. I landed in Narita on Feb. 6th. Going through immigration was quite simple and my bag came out just in time when I got through. I looked for the nearest ATM and was faced with my first challenge in Japan. Getting cash was…