Click "read more" below to hear more about her trip to Wakayama in her own words!
Trip to Wakayama
By Risa Hijima
(Traveled 7/12/13-7/25/13)
I
am a Nissei, second generation Japanese-American, born and raised in Southern
California. Although I am a Japanese American, I could still speak Japanese
fluently, thanks to my parents and my grandmother. Especially my grandmother
was a big part of my life when it came to learning the Japanese cultures. Since
I was born, my grandmother was always by my side taking care of me. While both
of my parents went off to work, my grandmother would always teach me the
Japanese rituals, traditional games, stories, and songs. To addition in
teaching me the Japanese culture, she frequently talked about her adventurous childhood
life in Wakayama. Her favorite outdoor activities were tree climbing, fishing,
hiking, and her favorite, eating delicious foods. I heard many of her childhood
stories, and I have always wanted to visit Wakayama for as long as I know. So I
am very thankful for the opportunity that the Naka Wakayama Kenjinkai and WIXAS
have given me.
During the trip in Wakayama, I was taken cared at the Morishita Family. They lived in Arida City, Wakayama, a place filled with beautiful mountain, river, and the clear-blue ocean. The Morishita Family had taken me to many places in Wakayama and I had made many friends along the trip with my host family. I was astonished when I saw the magnificent scenery and the healthy vivid colored greenery that surrounded Wakayama. Not only the nature, but the Japanese gourmet meal called, Kaiseki Ryouri, was astounding. Mr. and Mrs. Yabuzoe drove us, ambassadors, around the coastline of Wakayama and we spent the night at a hotel that had a hot spring, which in Japan is called “Onsen”. According to Mr. Yabuzoe, at each Onsen, there is a Kaiseki Ryouri available. Since, we were at a Onsen, Mr. Yabuzoe had treated us the traditional Japanese gourmet, and I was stunned as soon as the meal came right in front of me. The decorations and the color coordination of the meal looked as if it was one artwork. The carrots were carved into cherry blossom, the raw squid and fish called Sashimi were shaped and placed stylishly. Not only the visual, but the taste of the food was mouth watering; I couldn’t stop myself from eating. Mr. and Mrs. Yabuzoe had also taken me to many places in Wakayama, especially places where they had ancient Japanese temples and shrines. On the last day of the trip with Mr. and Mrs. Yabuzoe, we visited Kushimoto; the place where my grandmother was born. At Kushimoto, I saw the famous tourist spot, the Ishikui-iwa, which appeared in my grandmother’s childhood story. I was moved when I came to Kushimoto and saw the Ishikui-iwa that was mentioned in one of my grandmother’s precious childhood memories.
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| Kaylee and Risa |
During the trip in Wakayama, I was taken cared at the Morishita Family. They lived in Arida City, Wakayama, a place filled with beautiful mountain, river, and the clear-blue ocean. The Morishita Family had taken me to many places in Wakayama and I had made many friends along the trip with my host family. I was astonished when I saw the magnificent scenery and the healthy vivid colored greenery that surrounded Wakayama. Not only the nature, but the Japanese gourmet meal called, Kaiseki Ryouri, was astounding. Mr. and Mrs. Yabuzoe drove us, ambassadors, around the coastline of Wakayama and we spent the night at a hotel that had a hot spring, which in Japan is called “Onsen”. According to Mr. Yabuzoe, at each Onsen, there is a Kaiseki Ryouri available. Since, we were at a Onsen, Mr. Yabuzoe had treated us the traditional Japanese gourmet, and I was stunned as soon as the meal came right in front of me. The decorations and the color coordination of the meal looked as if it was one artwork. The carrots were carved into cherry blossom, the raw squid and fish called Sashimi were shaped and placed stylishly. Not only the visual, but the taste of the food was mouth watering; I couldn’t stop myself from eating. Mr. and Mrs. Yabuzoe had also taken me to many places in Wakayama, especially places where they had ancient Japanese temples and shrines. On the last day of the trip with Mr. and Mrs. Yabuzoe, we visited Kushimoto; the place where my grandmother was born. At Kushimoto, I saw the famous tourist spot, the Ishikui-iwa, which appeared in my grandmother’s childhood story. I was moved when I came to Kushimoto and saw the Ishikui-iwa that was mentioned in one of my grandmother’s precious childhood memories.
This past two weeks in Wakayama had been a wonderful experience for me. The natures, foods, temples, shrines, everything in Wakayama had fascinated me. Wakayama was more than what I had expected. The host family and all the people I met at Wakayama were really friendly and sincere; they were like my second family. Because of the great experience I had with my host family and the friends I made at Wakayama, I would definitely want to go back to Wakayama again.
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