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Here are updates from a few more of the\u00a020 Tohoku region JET alumni selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to return to their town<\/a>\u00a0to both engage in volunteer efforts and also help document and share what\u2019s going on there.<\/p>\n Day One: Tokyo, Ichinoseki, The Coast<\/p>\n My first official duty will be a meeting with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the Kasumigaseki area of Tokyo. \u00a0After a brief meeting to discuss the goals of my program, there is no time to waste. \u00a0I head from Tokyo to Ichinoseki to meet with Peace Winds America, and their staff member Mari Poorman who is overseeing their efforts in Japan. \u00a0Time permitting, Mari and I may head south into Miyagi, and the town of Minamisanriku.<\/p>\n Day Two: The Coast<\/p>\n Mari and I are planning to head to the coastal cities of Ofunato and Rikuzen-Takata.<\/p>\n Day Three: Ninohe<\/p>\n After a late night train back to my second hometown, I\u2019ll be back on familiar ground. \u00a0In the morning, I\u2019ll have a meeting with the good people of the Ninohe City Board of Education who have been working with me on this trip. \u00a0I\u2019ll also have a meeting with the\u00a0Superintendent\u00a0of Schools, and the Mayor. \u00a0The real joy will be in the afternoon. \u00a0A trip to the local High School and a chance to see my former Junior High School students now in High School.<\/p>\n Day Four: Ninohe<\/p>\n The schedule for this day is being determined.<\/p>\n Day Five: Ninohe, Northern Iwate and Hanamaki<\/p>\n The schedule for this day is being determined.<\/p>\n Day Six: Hiraizumi, Ichinoseki<\/p>\n Today I\u2019ll visit the newly designate UNESCO World Heritage site in Hiraizumi. \u00a0I\u2019ll also be staying in a traditional Japanese Inn for my last night in Japan.<\/p>\n Day Seven: Return to Tokyo, Seattle.<\/p>\n My last day will be travel. \u00a0A train to Tokyo and my flight home.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n ******************<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Day 1: Wednesday September 21st –\u00a0Depart from Ottawa for Japan<\/p>\n Day 2: Thursday, September 22nd –\u00a0Arrive in Tokyo. Go straight to MOFA, then check into my hotel. \u00a0(Spend the night in Tokyo)<\/p>\n Day 3: Friday, September 23rd –\u00a0Tokyo to Koriyama city, then travel to Aizu-Wakamatsu to see Enzo-ji, Iimoriyama andTsuruga Castle<\/a>. \u00a0(Stay in Aizu-Wakamatsu)<\/p>\n Day 4: Saturday, September 24th –\u00a0Take part in the\u00a0Global Citizen\u2019s Festival\u00a0<\/a>in Fukushima city that the Fukushima AJET Chapter will be taking part in. There will be facepainting, games and food from all different parts of the world and this is something that JETs in Fukushima do every year. \u00a0(Stay in Fukushima)<\/p>\n Day 5: Sunday, September 25th (Tourist Destination) –\u00a0Volunteer on the coast in Soma. \u00a0Head to Soma to volunteer with\u00a0Hearts for Haragama<\/a>, a charity created by current Fukushima JETs, which provides funds and\u00a0assistance to a kindergarten in Soma. \u00a0(Stay in Fukushima)<\/p>\n Day 6: Monday, September 26th –\u00a0In the morning, visit Fukushima Senior High School with Jason Ishida (Fukushima SHS ALT) to participate in classes and conversations with his students. \u00a0(Stay in Fukushima)<\/p>\n Day 7: Tuesday, September 27th –\u00a0Visit Nihonmatsu Adachi Senior High School to partake in their yearly bunkasai (oh ya, that\u2019s right, who picked the best time to go? \u00a0Oh this guy\u2026BUNKASAI!!!!<\/a>) \u00a0(Stay in Fukushima)<\/p>\n Day 8: Wednesday, September 28th –\u00a0Visit Nihonmatsu Technical Senior High School in the morning and then depart for Tokyo.\u00a0(Stay in Tokyo)<\/p>\n Day 9: Thursday, September 29th –\u00a0Depart from Tokyo for Ottawa<\/p>\n CLICK HERE<\/a><\/strong> to read the full post.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n
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