System Toyo Gaigo SCHOOL BLOG

Comic market in Tokyo

2012-01-26T16:10:00.013+09:00

This event was held at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo.

Many foreigners participated.

About 450,000 people from Tokyo and the district joined for two days in winter.

Comic market will be held in Tokyo twice a year.

New students from 13 countries in January

2012-01-12T14:03:00.016+09:00

A New Year's decoration welcomes new students.

Our school explains the rule of school and immigration control system.

Entrance ceremony

This spot is famous for the sunset.There are
good shops of Japanese food at the bottom of stairs.

They pray their happiness and health at shrine.

This is a big famous lantern at Kaminarimon , Asakusa

You can get on a ricksha around Asakusa.
It is expensive a little.

Fukubukuro (The lucky bag) usually contains goods that are much more valuable than the price of the bag.

Asakusa is always extremely crowded, specially new year.

The Sky Tree Tower, 634 m high is very near Asakusa. It takes 15 minutes on foot.

A Happy New Year

2012-01-06T19:00:00.011+09:00

Shimenawa, sacred rice-straw ropes, are hung across the top of the gateway, which is also decorated with pine boughs or Kadomatsu.

Kagami-mochi(rice cake) are offerings to the god of the New Year.

People threw a coin into the donation box at the shrine.

Omikuji ( written fortune ) are written fortunes which can be obtained by drawing lots in most Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

The Shrine offers Amazake ( sweet alcoholic ).

Can you see a monkey ?

They stand in line waiting to pray.

Christmas party at school

2011-12-22T12:16:00.020+09:00

Tree , presents and pizza

Kampai (Cheers)

They played a bingo.

They were listening to Christmas songs.

They got nice presents.

They are Japanese university students.

They convey a simple message.
The last person writes it to the paper.

They were satisfied with talking with Japanese university students.

Judo Grand Slam and All Japan Karate Championship, Tokyo

2011-12-19T16:24:00.014+09:00

Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy)

2011-12-01T16:25:00.015+09:00

Christmas illumination in Ginza , Tokyo

2011-11-28T12:32:00.005+09:00

Interchange at Narita international high school

2011-11-14T18:16:00.016+09:00

Torinoichi Celebration of the Otori Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo

2011-11-07T11:33:00.016+09:00

Sports day

2011-10-25T13:58:00.004+09:00

Sumo , traditional Japanese-style wrestling

2011-10-17T14:38:00.008+09:00

New students from 13 countries

2011-10-04T17:27:00.008+09:00

Harajuku in Tokyo

2011-09-20T11:28:00.008+09:00

Mikoshi ( miniature shrine ) , Autumn festival

2011-09-15T14:24:00.013+09:00

Vehicles are regulated on even the large road
so that they carry safely.

They carry Mikoshi for Shinto gods through the streets of their town.

The miniature shrine is very heavy. This is weight of 700 kilos.
So they carry in turns.

The young women carry Mikoshi (portable shrine) on their shoulder recently.

The children ( Dashi ) float carried a Japanese drum

very slowly around the town.

The children's miniature shrine is not heavy.

Children like goldfish scooping. They caught several goldfish.

It is a staple attraction at festivals in the shrine..

This is a shooting gallery.

Some of children got gift products after hitting a target.

They relaxed and drunk Sake and beer after they finished
carrying heavy Mikoshi.

Tokyo Otsuka Awaodori , Summer Dance Festival

2011-09-05T15:01:00.003+09:00

The audiences and dancers more than 20000 joined in the hot sun and enjoyed.

They waited for starting. But it was 35'c ( 95 'f ).

The boys were very tired after dancing.

Foreigners came to see this festival.

They played Shamisen (a shamisen is a three-stringed instrument similar to a banjo), Fue (a whistle) , Taiko (a stick drum ).

Men waited for their turn.

The ladies danced in a specially-designed Yukata (a summer Kimono) by them.

There were about 40 street stalls.

They sold Takoyaki ( octopus dumpling ), Yakisoba ( pan-fried noodles ), Cold drinks, Beer and etc,.

The Toden Arakawa Line's streetcar consists of only one car near this place.

Summer course in 2011

2011-08-29T15:33:00.000+09:00

The Great Buddha of Hase in Kamakura was bulit in 1243.It is 12.38 meters high.

They eat hot rice crackers. Each is 50 yen.

The students walked at Engakuji ( Engaku temple).

This is Zen temples.

They joined a school excursion to Chiba prefecture.

They ate dinner. Japanese Sake is in a red box.

But a person older than 20 years old can drink on a law.

The temple is near Asakusa with new other students.

They finished one month summer course.They studied hard.

They understood Hiragana and Katakana and enjoyed sightseeing.

This is a farewell party.They ate Makisushi, Onigiri, Manju and etc,.

With new students of July term.

Comic market in Tokyo

2011-08-19T19:52:00.000+09:00

This event was held at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo.

Many foreigners participated

About 550,000 people from Tokyo and the district joined for three days.

It was very clear and hot.

School excursion Mt.Nokogiri , Chiba prefecture

2011-08-09T17:19:00.005+09:00

We went to Mt. Nokogiri (saw blade) in Chiba prefecture.

It was very hot , 35'c ( 95'f ) in Tokyo. But it was cool there.

They were going to climb this mountain .They did not know how steep it was.

They climbed about half an hour.

There are really many steep slopes.

They climbed at last.

They were tired very much on account of insufficient exercise.

Each student cooked Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Korean food and etc, the previous night.

It looked like international restaurant at the top of a mountain.

They chatted with one another after lunch.

It is not dangerous.

This is Tokyo bay. The opposite side is Kanagawa prefecture.

Looking down made their skin crawl.

They are statues of the Goddess of Kannon.

They had a rest after going down a mountain.

This is a rest house called Umi Hotaru ( sea firefly )

It is in the middle of Tokyo bay.

They enjoyed a fresh sea wind.

It was clear and sunny.

They could see many tall buildings in Tokyo and Tokyo Sky Tree way down there.

They took pictures each other.

They relaxed in an amusement center in Umi Hotaru.

They got two stuffed bears.

Visiting Kamakura ( Big Budda )

2011-07-26T16:20:00.000+09:00

The students stand in front of flowers, hydrangea at Engakuji
( Engaku temple). This is Zen temples.
It takes only one minute on foot from Kita(North)-Kamakura Station.

This is Komachi dori ( street ) in front of Kamakura station.

These are rented Yukata (kimono for summer).

3150 Japanese Yen ( ladies ) and 4200 Yen ( gentlemen )

You can buy Yukata , too. A salesclerk wears Yukata.

A Rickshaw is behind them.

The fare is 3000 Yen for two for 10 minutes.

Left is Anpan man and right is Dokin chan.

Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine was built in 1180.

People wish for the safety of their families and success in business.

About 1,900,000 people visit from 1st to 3rd of the new year.

With Japanese young lady dressed in Yukata

It makes everybody feel cool.

Japanese young ladies dressed in Yukata came from Tokyo.

The Great Buddha of Hase in Kamakura was bulit in 1243.

It is 12.38 meters high. You can enter the inside.

The size of one Waraji ( traditional straw sandals ) is 90 cm ×180 cm. The weight is 45 kg.

Many tourists visit Big Buddha.

These are T-shirts sold as souvenir. It costs 1200 yen.

Key chain costs 500 Yen.

This is Enoshima island which is a distance of approximately 7 kilometers from Kamakura station.

When it is clear , you can see Mt. Fuji.

Tanabata ( Star Festival )

2011-07-19T15:11:00.000+09:00

July 7th is the day of Tanabata ( the Star Festival )

On the day, many people write their wishes on strips of colorful paper and hang them from bamboo branches. The students did, too.

The event became popular during the Edo period (1603-1867).

They are very interested in this event.

Two lovers separated by the Milky Way meet each other only once a year on this day.

New students wrote only Katakana and Hiragana.

Maybe he wrote many things on strips.

What did they write ?

I want to buy a car , to get lots of money , to marry a rich man , to pass the exam

to speak Japanese fluently , etc,. What do you want to write ?

New students welcome walk in Asakusa

2011-07-06T16:59:00.003+09:00

The orientation session for code of our school

New students came from 17 different countries.

They hear the explanation of Asakusa.

They are going to Asakusa from school.

They wait for bus bound for Asakusa.

It takes about 20 minimutes.

They stand in front of Karaoke in Asakusa ( red sign board ).

There are many Karaoke.

They walk on the street. beautifully decorated.

Do you think that they are taking any photograph ?

Photograph of Tokyo Sky Tree Tower, the tallest tower in the world

①　At the temple

②

They look at Japanese drams and goods of festival.

The gate Kaminarimon, symbol of Asakusa, is a main gate to the

temple , Senso-ji.

The first sight to catch your eyes will be the long stretch of Nakamise Dori, the Senso-ji temple precinct's shopping street. There are about 500 shops. You can buy every souvenir there.

They wish their good luck and health after throwing money into the wooden box.

Advertisement for theater of old days

The Tokyo Sky Tree tower , 634 m will open next year.

2011-06-28T10:47:00.001+09:00

The Tokyo Sky Tree tower will be one of the world's tallest.

There will be 310 different kinds of restaurants and shops.

The construction started in July , 2008.

It will open in Sumida Ward , Tokyo on 22nd May in 2012.

It is 634m high. We can see it from everywhere.

This is Sumida river under a bridge. We can see famous fire works
here every summer.

This is Kaminarimon , Asakusa.

It is located about 1000m east of Asakusa.

It takes about 12 minutes on foot.

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test in July

2011-06-20T14:44:00.001+09:00

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test is conducted both in Japan and outside Japan to evaluate and certify the language proficiency of primarily non-native speakers of Japanese.　

Detail , http://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html　

If you want to enter university and graduate courses after studying

Japanese language, you had better to see this website.

The students at our school take mock exam before JLPT several times.

About 70 participants from about 17 countries will take exam in July.

Our teachers wait for their good result in early September.

They are poor in listening comprehension test specifically.

So they have a lot of practice.

① First test -- July 3, 2011 (Sunday)

② Second test -- December 4, 2011 (Sunday)

All examinees will receive a Score Report in early September

or mid-February.

Long traditional Sumo training

2011-06-06T11:45:00.001+09:00

Sumo ranks. Yokozuna is highest rank in Sumo.

They get up early morning.

They eat lots of Chanko ryori ( special breakfast ) after training.

They stare calmly.

①　They train for 3 hours.

②

All the students enjoyed watching Sumo.

① These pictures must be unforgettabl.

②

③

Sumo wrestlers are very big and tall.

One of them weighing 180 kg ( 397 lb )

Eastern Japan University Karate Championship , Budokan

2011-05-30T13:21:00.001+09:00

Approximately 90 universities ( male ) participated.

Waseda, Keio, Meiji, Hosei, Rikkyo University participated , too.

Approximately 40 universities ( female ) participated.

Recently the female players increase, too.

Some of players began Karate since they were small.

This is the meeting before the competition.

Karate demonstration - 1

Karate demonstration - 2

Many colorfull flowers in spring

2011-05-23T16:04:00.002+09:00

You can see often blooming azaleas on the road in May.

Blooming azaleas in the garden

Blooming azaleas in the park.

Blooming azaleas in the shrine. Many people visit to see.

They take many photoｓ backed by flowers.

Japanese wisteria in the suburbs.

They lasts about 100 meters. This scenery is a spectacular view.

This is the leaves of Sakura (cherry blossoms).

This is same cherry tree in full blossom in April.
The life of them is one week. It is too short.

Children's Day, May 5th , flying carps

2011-05-11T16:33:00.001+09:00

Today, families with boys display miniature samurai armor, helmets and dolls representing famous feudal generals and other heroes.

They would like their sons to grow as strong as warriors.

In the Edo period, families of samurai began celebrating May 5th

as the day for boys. This is a real ancient armor in the catsle.

These are Koinobori ( colorful carp banners)

This day has become a national holiday to celebrate the growth

and health of all children, not only boys.

More than 300 carp streamers are flying across the river and along its banks.

Chinese legends say carp become dragons when they swim up whitewater rapids.

On this day, families often fly carp streamers outside their homes

to represent strength and success.

From above
Fukinagashi , five colors ( Charm against evil )
Magoi, black ( Father )
Higoi, red ( Mother )
Kogoi, blue or green ( Children )

Bowling center , Izakaya (Japanese-style pub) and Karaoke

2011-04-30T11:57:00.000+09:00

The bowls are colorful. Bowling center is near school.

Some of them played first.

They did not play well , but enjoyed.

After bowling they went to Izalkaya. They ordered Japanese food.
Nabe ryori (one-pot cooking) is delicious. They went to Karaoke later.
They know many new Japanese songs. Karaoke is not so expensive.
Karaoke began in Japan and spread throughout the world.
Is there Karaoke in your town ?

Aquarium in Shinagawa , Tokyo

2011-04-25T17:41:00.001+09:00

We went to Shinagawa aquarium, central Tokyo.

They saw manta other big fish.

They watched many different fish swimming in the tank

The dolphin trainer swam with dolphins and seals.

Welcome New students under Sakura (cherry blossoms) tree in full bloom

2011-04-07T18:59:00.009+09:00

Let's go to see Sakura.

First day , at Ueno park

The cherry blossoms are blooming beautifully now.

The cherry blossoms are late blooming this year because of the cold weather.

They cleanse their hands and mind before praying.

A lot of Sakura

They are walking on the narrow street called Ameyoko.

Takoyaki (octopus dumpling), a snack with octopus in it, is very popular.

Have you heard it ? They like it very much.

Second day, at Rikugien Japanese garden

These are weeping cherry trees.

This tree is different from a common cherry blossoms tree.

This garden is known for the magnificent cherry blossoms trees.

They feed carps.

Japanese garden

With Japanese women in Kimono

Many people visted this garden.

The life of this cherry blossom is very short .

Aikido training

2011-03-30T14:31:00.005+09:00

The students bow deeply to instructors with respect

in the beginning.

They strengthen abdominal muscles before practicing Aikido.

They are intent on exercising and excited.

As for them, Aikido is the first experience.

Aikido is an art of weaponless self-defense.

The students are watching the demonstration.

They had been a practitioner of Aikido for three years or more.

The students bow deeply to instructors with respect

at the end , too.

We trained Aikido for two hours.

This training is very good for their health

After training they relaxed and were satisfied.

Graduation ceremony with the Shamisen

2011-03-22T17:45:00.003+09:00

There was the performance of the Shamisen in the graduation ceremony.
It is a really typical Japanese musical instrument.
The tone is splendid with it.

It was the first time that all the students and most of teachers

heard it in front of them.

The graduates sang the name of Furusato (hometown) while

remembering old days.

A Spanish student did imitation to play Shamisen with a teacher.

Cheers ! To your health and future.

They can use chopsticks well now.

Their favorite food is Sushi and Sushi rolls.

When they arrived in Japan, It was totally different from what they imagined.

Because of their good health they really enjoyed their life in Japan.

The students who finished remember the day of the entrance ceremony.

They were not able to imagine themselves present in those days.

All of them received their certificates of completion when they finished.

They passed level -1, -2 JLPT.

Sayonara ! ( goodbye )

We pledge a reunion with teachers at our school at some time in the future。

Wearing Kimono at school

2011-03-08T18:55:00.000+09:00

They feel like Japanese people when they wear kimonos.

Movement becomes dull when students wear kimonos.

Japanese people usually wore kimonos by themselves in old days.

Off course the students cannot wear kimonos without the help of the teachers.

All the students wear Kimono in turns.

They put on an Obi ( belt ) tightly. If loosely , they can not wear correctly.

Geta (wooden clogs) for men, Zouri (Japanese sandals) for women.

The traditional martial arts in Budokan

2011-02-21T17:46:00.002+09:00

The Samurai used the long spear ( Yari ).

You can see 35 different kind of traditional martial arts in a day.

It is very interesting performance.

Naginata is one of Japan's traditional martial arts.

However, Naginata has become less popular.

Iaido (sword drawing) - 1

Iaido (sword drawing) - 2

Aikido

Overwhelming and throwing opponents by grasping and twisting their hands, feet or joints

Heavy Japanese body armor ( Kachu )

Tachimi heiho

Ryukyu ( Okinawa ) traditional martial arts

Stick attack ( Jodo )

The firearms ( Hinawa ju )

A terrible explosion did it

A kind of Kendo ( Kenjutsu )

Interchange with Waseda and Tsukuba University students

2011-02-14T17:38:00.000+09:00

The interchange at System Toyo Gaigo is performed every year.

16 students from two universities visited our school.

We welcomed very warmly.

Waseda university and Tsukuba (national) university

Some of Japanese students study Japanese education for foreiners.

They introduced by themselves. They came from north , Hokkaido

or south , Okinawa

Our students asked him and he answered.

He asked , then our students answered.

Some will teach Japanese language in overseas universities,

Japanese schools or in Japan in future.

One of our students introduced by herself.

They laughed and laughed all the time.

They talked the difference of the culture and the food

while eating snack for three hours.

It was the first time that our students talked with Japanese students.

They had a good experience.

The student writes Japanese words to the back from behind one after another.

They made the game of words and increased Japanese ability.

The time went by with a lighting speed.

They enjoyed very much.

" Setsubun " Bean-Throwing Festival in Tokyo

2011-02-08T12:34:00.003+09:00

Kanda Myoujin shrine near Akihabara was built about 1300 years ago.

About 3000 people are waiting for presents from Shrine.

Old people wearing Japanese clothes, people with honor and

men and women of Rabbit Year's wait for their turn.

Shinto priest exorcise someone of a devil.

Two men perform the role of evil. They bring bad luck.

On Setsubun , people scatter beans to drive away evil

and bring in good luck in a house shouting " Evil out ! Good luck in ! "

Setsubun means the day before the calendric beginning of spring.

February 3rd is Setsubun.

The day's main event is the bean-scattering ceremony.

Can you see people with bags ?

Adults and children scramble for them. All of them are very excited.

Can you see people with bags ?

They throw snacks , oranges , beans and etc,.

Making and eating Soba ( Japanese noodle )

2011-01-24T19:30:00.000+09:00

Sensei ( teacher ) taught how to make Soba.

Soba means noodles made from buckwheat.
They had their first taste of Soba.

They kneaded Soba.

They rolled out dough into thin rounds.

They cut Soba thin.

They washed Soba flour and drain water from Soba.

They served Soba on dishes.

Soba smells good and is delicious.

If you like shrimps , chopped green onions and mustard , you can put them.

Do you know how to eat soba ?

You pick up some Soba with your chopsticks, like this.
Then dip it in the Ｔsuyu（ special sauce）in your bowl.
All of them became fascinated with Soba.