Tourist Spot in Hamamatsu: Salt-Water of Lake Hamana

A torii in the middle of its waters, a large water area, a cycle track around it and numerous onsens around it. These and more are some of the things that characterize the tenth largest lake- Lake Hamana.

I have been to Lake Hamana for four times already- two in summer, fall and winter. I always look forward to the sunset at the lake hoping that I would witness the sunset captured in travel brochures such as the one below. So far, I haven't seen one like that but I enjoy the view nonetheless.

sunset at Lake Hamana
photo credit: http://www.inhamamatsu.com/recommend/cat/the-torii-and-the-sunset.php

On two occasions, I have rented a bike and cycled around the track- from Bentenjima to Kanzanji Onsen. It took me 3 hours back and forth. Bicycles can be rented in various sites for 500 Yen from 8 am to 4 pm. I always rented mine at Bentenjima.

The bicycle track offers various views of the lake. I passed by a camping site, a fishing site, a small jetski port, a long (and tiring) bridge, a small park, a windsurfing area. I also passed by the Flower Park just a few minutes passed the bridge. On both times, my final destination is the Kanzanji Beach just opposite of the onsen sites. The big ferris wheel at Hamanako PalPal (an amusement park) can also be seen on the track.
These sights make cycling a great experience.

bicycle track at Lake Hamana
photo credit: http://www.japanguides.net/shizuoka/inasa-town-inasa-cho-in-oku-lake-hamana-area-of-hamamatsu.html

wind surfing at Lake Hamana
photo credit: http://www.hamamatsu-daisuki.net/lan/en/enjoy/sightseeing.html

jet skiing at Lake Hamana
photo credit: http://jetskidoctor.blogspot.jp/2010/07/visited-hamamatsu-city-and-lake-hamana.html

Kanzanji Sun Beach
photo credit: http://www.japanguides.net/shizuoka/hamamatsu-seasonal-activities-fruit-picking-clam-digging-swimming-fishing-auto-race.html

(See more places in Japan here)

It Kanzanji, there' a temple up in the mountains. I haven't climbed it yet cause I was too tired to go trekking after cycling for that long. There's also a ropeway overlooking a part of the lake. There's a small cruise vessel  where people can have lunch or dinner while traversing the lake. I haven't tried it too yet but it looks wonderful.

After cycling, the onsens around Bentenjima and Kanzanji offer great relief from muscle pains and tired bodies. In Bentenjima, I would recommend the onsen at The Ocean (worth 1000 Yen). This is because it offers a view of the lake while hotbathing. In Kanzanji, any of the onsens there are great, I think.

The last time I went in Lake Hamana was on December 31 to witness the last sunset of the year. The wind was bone-chilling my boyfriend and I had to go back and forth in a kombini (convenience store) to keep warm. But the view was worth it and I think I won't get tired of looking at the Lake Hamana's sunset hoping I'll witness the sun set in the middle of the torii.

How to Get to Bentenjima from Hamamatsu:  

1. Take the Tokaido Line at Hamamatsu Station. 
    Take the one going to Toyohashi. 

2. Get off at Bentenjima Station. This the third station from Hamamatsu. 

3. Cross the street from the station and you'll find Bentenjima Beach. 

New Year's Wish in Japan: Kakizome

"Kakizome (書き初め, literally "first writing") is a Japanese term for the first calligraphy written at the beginning of a year, traditionally on January 2."

- Wikipedia

Kakizomes
photo credit: http://japankalligrafia.hu/book/export/html/372

After the winter break, the classrooms are decorated with white paper scrolls with Japanese characters on them. They are called kakizome. Based on how I understood the students explanation to me, their kakizomes are like personal prayers for the coming year. It is personal but applicable to a lot of people. It is not something like a Christmas wish. It's deeper than that.

(See more New Year tradtions in Japan here)

Taking advantage of the displays, I asked the students to try to translate their kakizomes in English. 

Here are some of the kakizome's of students: 

1. I wish for a clean heart and pure heart. (Special Ed. student)

2. I wish for a beautiful land. (First year student)

3. I wish for peace in the nation. (Third year student)

4. I wish for prosperity and richness to all people. (Third year student)

5. I wish for an enjoyable school life for all students. (Second year)

6. I wish for harmony and friendship among people. (Second year)

7. I wish for safety of Japan. (First year student)

8. I wish for clear mind and healthy body to all students. (Second year)

The list could go on (since there are hundreds of students in the school.) but I was just struck by the depth of these students's wishes. Even the naughty and rowdy students wrote serious kakizomes. I like this better than writing New Year`s resolutions. It seems a more positive way to start the year. It is also a very unselfish way to wish for everyone's welfare. I wished I could have written my own kakizome. How about you, what would be your kakizome this year? 

For more on Kakizome: 

1. http://japankalligrafia.hu/book/export/html/372

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakizome

3. http://traditionscustoms.com/lifestyle/kakizome

Tasks of Japanese Teachers: So Way Beyond Teaching

In the teacher's meeting yesterday, the vice-principal sounded angry. When I asked one of the teachers, she said that it was because some parents and some members of the community where the school is located complained about the students behavior. The school received a formal complaint- a letter written to the teachers and school administrators. This has happened a few times already last year.

Since I am not Japanese, I would have shrug it off. Why would parents complain about their children's behavior? And why would the community complain to the school and not to the parents? But the Japanese society  thinks differently of a teacher's role and the school`s scope of work. Japanese teachers are called "senseis" and are regarded highly because they have a lot of things on their shoulders. 

 photo credit: http://www.eltworld.net/times/2012/05/living-and-working-in-japan-a-guide-for-us-citizens/

1. Most Japanese teachers are club advisers.

Being a club adviser sounds fun and rewarding (just like how Will Schuster feels in Glee!). The thing is school clubs in Japan are stressful. They meet numerous times in a week. They have clubs on spring break, summer break and even winter break. They have clubs on Saturdays and Sundays. They just seem to have clubs all the time. I think having club meetings help in keeping the students away from the streets. But for teachers's sake, I think having clubs these often is a test to one's sanity.

(More on Establishing Rapport with Japanese Co-Workers here.)

2. Japanese teachers call parents of absent or tardy students. 

From where I studied, I had to present an excuse letter from my parents or doctor to explain why I was absent in school. In Japan, if a student is not seen during homeroom time, the class adviser would call the student's house and check. Personally, I think it's unnecessary burden to the teacher. I would understand if the teacher calls because a students has been absent for a long time. But I think it should be the parent's job to inform the school on the student's absence. 

3. Japanese teachers advisers visit students's houses. 

Japanese teachers don't only call houses, they are also required to visit. This is especially necessary for students with domestic problems This seems like a great way to show concern and to know the students but given other teacher's tasks, I would really feel burdened about it. 

4. Japanese teachers also act as counselors. 

So far with all the schools I've been to, I haven't seen a school counselor yet. Someone said that there's a counselor rounding up schools in the area but they don't talk directly to students. In effect, when students have problems, the Japanese homeroom teacher should deal with it. These include discipline problems, academic concerns, social issues and any slight thing that may be affecting the student.

(More on Gift Items for Japanese Teachers here)

5. Japanese teachers are communally and morally responsible for the students. 

This is related to number four. Because the Japanese teachers act as all-around guardian, teachers are deemed responsible in just about every aspect of a student's life. I have heard some cases where teachers blame themselves if a student commits suicide or if a student gets tangled up with the law. They think they haven't done enough to straighten up or help the child.

Being a teacher in the classroom is hard enough as it is. To be responsible to just about everything seem impossible so I really admire these Japanese teachers. They are dedicated and hardworking. But I also believe that something's has to change. At the end of the day, a teacher is just any other person who can feel exhaustion and stress.