Annelise Wilp (Saitama 2018-2020) The school nurse invited me and some other Assistant Language Teachers for dinner at her parents’ house. It was some of the most delicious food I’ve had in Japan—nothing beats homemade! It was great to see an elderly couple so interested in foreigners. When we left, the ojiisan (older man) gave us some vegetables from his garden. This night was one of my most special memories in Japan. Jennifer (Kōchi) I work at an agricultural school. When the pandemic first got bad and they shut down classes in April 2020, the students couldn’t come and plant the crops they needed for their classes, which have a specific planting and harvesting schedule. So all the teachers got together, even those with absolutely no agricultural experience or knowledge, and pitched in. We put on our old clothes, got some boots, gloves and sunscreen, and got to work! I learned how to use a hoe, turn soil, plant and harvest crops, and even tend to some flowers. My favorite was planting corn. After spending a day in the hot sun, we were wiping sweat and our arms were drooping, but we felt so accomplished! We all had nabe out of a huge pot. When it came time to harvest and sell the crops later on, we each got some for free. It really helped me appreciate teamwork, agricultural knowledge, and the way our food is made. It was also a great bonding experience that I’d never have had if school hadn’t been closed. I’ll never forget it! If they need any extra hands this year, I’d love to help out.
Anonymous (Kyōto 2014-15) This is outside of my prefecture, but I was temporarily on the island of Amami, and the inclusivity here is something I’ve never experienced in Kyōto. I joined a fitness club and couldn’t even go that regularly due to work time constraints, but they made the effort to invite me to one of their houses for a Christmas gathering, which meant a lot because I was new to the island and honestly felt kind of lonely during the holiday season. Their treatment of me didn’t change despite/because I’m a foreigner, and I felt very . . . at home, on this island. They say you get back what you put into the universe, and I would say on this island (of Amami), and perhaps the rest of Japan as well, it’s very true. Meg Luedtke (Fukui) Occasionally I go out and get treated to a meal by one of my JTEs and her daughter to help her practice English for college. Because of my specific dietary needs, it can be a bit difficult to find restaurants for me to eat at, but through a series of connections we have found one place that’s quickly become a favorite of mine, whether I go there with co-workers, friends, or by myself. The place is a small curry shop in the neighboring city. Over my multiple visits I’ve made, I’ve gotten to know the owner pretty well. He has always been very kind and accommodating to me and of my diet, going out of his way to make special batches of rice or curry that is just for me. He’s even taken to calling me “Princess Megan’’ when I walk in the door, born out of a joke we had due to my pretty limited diet needs. He often will send me a Line just to check in, wish me happy holidays, or invite me to the various BBQs and wine bars happening in the city. He’s kinda become like my local Japanese grandpa.
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