July 30, 2009
Japan Experience! 2009 - Day 4 - Studio Ghibli & Karate
Day 4 of the 2009 Japan Experience program was a full day, packed with exciting cultural activities. A morning Japanese lesson, a trip to Studio Ghibli, and a Karate lesson were all on the agenda. An impromptu visit to one of Shinjuku��s largest bookstores was also added in.
Studio Ghibli is a world renowned animation studio famous for films such as My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke. It is very much the Japanese equivalent of Disney movies in terms of popularity and appeal to kids. The Studio Ghibli museum sits on a small plot of land in Mitaka, and is loaded with amazing detail about the films. Unfortunately photography isn��t allowed inside the museum, it��s just something you��ll have to see for yourself!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghibli_Museum
After spending a few hours at Studo Ghibli, we made a brief stop at Kinokuniya books in Shinjuku to look at their English books. It has a huge selection of every type of book imaginable; including travel books, foreign volumes, comics, magazines etc.
The day was rounded off with an introduction to the martial art, Karate. Led by Kakiya Sensei and none other than Richard Sensei, the lesson proceeded with a fun warm up, basic kicking and punching techniques, and some sparring and self defense. Of course there was plenty of time for punching and kicking!
Our transportation from the train station to the Ghibli museum. Affectionately known as the 'neko' bus.
The Japan Experience team getting ready to enter the Ghibli museum.
Eliza and Chelsea, showing off their newly purchased books to Vincent.
Everyone performing the 'goaisatsu', a short ceremony before the start of a Karate session.
Jessica improving her punching speed with the Jump-Punch exercise.
M'Lissa unleashing a furious knee to the stomach on one of the Karate club members.
Richard Sensei, showing Deanna how its done.
Sophia practicing her self defense with one of the Karate club members.