Madison Bosworth

  This morning, I started the day by visiting a new coffee shop I found on Yelp. It was about a 20-minute commute from our place in the Ueno area. Even though the reviews were just average, the coffee ended up being really good. I’ve noticed that a lot of places here surprise you in a good way—even those with lower ratings often exceed expectations. After coffee, I joined the group for a traditional tea ceremony followed by a walk through historic gardens. The ceremony was peaceful and calming, and being surrounded by nature made the whole experience even more special. So far, this has been my favorite group activity—it offered such a genuine connection to Japanese culture and tradition. Next, we visited the Tsukiji Fish Market, where I got to try grilled eel and fresh sushi. The market was lively and full of energy, with so many different vendors and food options to explore. Later in the afternoon, I split off from the group and visited the Tamagawa-Daishi Underground Temple. It t...

Today started off rainy, so I decided to take it slow and visited a local coffee shop that Ladd recommended. One thing I’ve come to really appreciate in Japan is the small warm hand towels, or  oshibori , that are given at restaurants. It’s a simple touch, but it makes a big difference—it feels thoughtful and adds a sense of comfort to the experience. After breakfast, I headed to Don Quijote to pick up some souvenirs. The store was massive—like many others in Tokyo, with multiple floors packed full of everything you could think of. It’s a little overwhelming at first, but also fun to explore and see how much variety is offered in one place. Later, I met up with a friend and we got fluffy matcha pancakes. They were light, airy, and delicious—definitely one of the more unique desserts I’ve had so far on this trip. I also explored Kappabashi (Kitchen) Street and picked out some customized chopsticks. It was interesting to see how many stores catered to both locals and tourists, especi...

  Today was one of our larger group outings. We took the train to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy, so we didn’t get to see Mt. Fuji from the observation deck, but the view of the city was still impressive. Inside the building, there was a small gift shop selling traditional Japanese items. I ended up buying a set of bookmarks with Japanese kanji—though in hindsight, they were a bit pricey. Still, the store had a calm and welcoming atmosphere that made it a nice place to browse. After visiting the government building, we headed to Takeshita Street, which is famous for its vibrant and youthful energy. Once our TNCIS group was dismissed, a few of us went to grab lunch. I picked up a bento box that was beautifully packaged, almost like a gift. It really stood out how much care goes into presentation here—it makes even a simple meal feel special. Later, I broke off from the group to shop for souvenirs for my family. While exploring, I un...

  Today was one of the more lighthearted and fun days—we got to see pandas! We walked over to Ueno Zoo, where the pandas were clearly the main attraction. It was easy to see how much they mean to the area; there were panda statues and decorations throughout Ueno, which gave the whole neighborhood a playful and welcoming vibe. After the zoo, we wandered around Taito City and explored the Asakusa shopping stalls. The area was vibrant and full of character, with narrow streets lined with local vendors and a mix of traditional and modern goods. It was a great way to experience the everyday energy of Tokyo—outside of the big attractions, just walking, browsing, and soaking in the atmosphere. Today felt less structured than previous days, which gave us space to take things at our own pace and enjoy some of the smaller, more personal moments of being in Japan. I ended up do a lot of my shopping on this day getting my mom some earrings made and found a cool watch for my boyfriend. I ended ...

Today was our official first day of class. After a quick orientation, we went on a 3-hour walking tour that focused on Japan’s history and cultural foundations. We learned about the Edo period, a time when society was highly structured and group harmony was deeply valued. This era of isolation helped Japan shape a unique identity—something that still influences daily life today. The tour also touched on Japan’s post-WWII recovery. After the war, companies often offered lifetime employment to men as part of rebuilding efforts. While that system isn’t as widespread anymore, the emphasis on loyalty and long-term commitment still plays a role in Japanese work culture. Our guide shared stories about the samurai and their legacy. Although they no longer exist, many of their values—like honor, respect, and hierarchy—still shape modern customs. For example, we learned that if you go out for drinks with a manager, there are specific rules to follow to show respect. It’s small details like these...

We arrived at Narita Airport in Tokyo on Tuesday, May 13th around 3:00 PM after a 14-hour flight from Denver, following an early morning departure from Nashville. I had stayed awake to better adjust to the time zone, but the exhaustion hit once we landed. At first, it didn’t feel like a different country—I was focused on getting to the hostel. We took a one-hour train into the city, where I noticed that most signs were in both Japanese and English—an intentional strategy to accommodate international tourists. After checking into our hostel, we visited a local grocery store called Summit. It was my first taste of Japanese convenience culture. The food was fresh, high-quality, and the store was clean and well-organized. Unlike in the U.S., convenience stores in Japan are treated as essential, not low-end.