Studying Abroad in Kumamoto, Japan

Cyberlizard · **on:** September 04, 2011, 10:14:48 AM

Hey everybody!

Just letting you all know that in four days I fly out to spend a full year in Kumamoto, Japan! For two years now I've been working up to this point, to finally return to Japan after having enjoyed my first trip so much! I'll be posting vlog videos throughout my stay on my youtube channel here! http://www.youtube.com/user/ScalyGreen

The only time my online activity will be impeded is when I'm actually flying over there. Once I get situated in my dorm I'll have my internet back.

Pterano · **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2011, 10:38:31 AM

Looking forward to following you and your exploits, Cyberlizard!

Have a good time over there, and I'll be keeping track.

Kor · **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2011, 12:08:35 PM

Sounds great. And you'll have internet and be able to come on here and be where you wanted also. A year in Japan, sounds like quite a time to be there and a lot of things you can do there too.

Cyberlizard · **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2011, 03:35:49 PM

Well, everybody. I'm now in Japan, and settling into my new dorm. I'll be sure to put up a few photos once I unpack everything. ^..^ Though I find myself getting up incredibly early... Damn jet lag. x..X

Nick22 · **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2011, 03:51:10 PM

Have a great time! Japan is one of the oldest cultures on Earth..

Kor · **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2011, 10:44:04 PM

Glad things are going well for you so far. Sounds like you may need a few days to get over your jetlag.

Petrie85 · **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2011, 12:48:02 AM

Nice good luck.

oogaboo · **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2011, 03:30:14 PM

How is it in Japan? I heard this year that they've been hit by a lot of natural disasters lately.

Cyberlizard · **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2011, 03:39:43 AM

People seem to be going about their business as usual over here. Indeed they have been hit by several major natural disasters, but they're managing to pull through.

Petrie85 · **Reply #9 on:** September 12, 2011, 03:57:28 AM

Ah that's great that they're managing. Hope all is well there.

Cyberlizard · **Reply #10 on:** October 02, 2011, 11:26:28 AM

Well, I think it's about time I finally put up a few photos. I guess I'll start off with the pics I took a couple of weeks ago when I went to Mt. Aso with my homestay family. I'll post a few pictures of myself at these places in the "Show us" section.

For the Pokemon fans on this board, I'd like to make mention that Mt. Aso is the real-life inspiration for Mt. Chimney in Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. And I will say that the similarities are so close that it pretty much spawned an incredibly weird supernatural experience for me.

I'll start off with a picture I took of the mountain after I rode up there. This is at my homestay family's grandparents' house in the real life equivalent of Lavaridge Town.

Here is the Naka crater of Mt. Aso. The inspiration for that big crater in the Hoenn Pokemon games. Swap out bubbling lava with bubbling green sulfuric water. Those with asthma and other lung problems must watch out. That steam has mixtures of sulfur dioxide!

Now... When I saw that cable car, that's when things started getting freakishly similar to my copy of Pokemon Ruby.

And then... I finally started stepping into the Pokemon twilight zone when I found the stand selling lava cookies. Friggen lava cookies. xD

oogaboo · **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2011, 04:39:51 PM

I'm not surprised that the pokemon franchise is filled with real-life elements of goods, mountains, and regions of Japan. It is no wonder why Japan gets a hold of these games six to eight months before any other country, but I know that the Japanese are huge fans of Pokemon. I've read that the Unova region has inspirations of the Brooklyn Bridge and New York City. And I like that!

Petrie85 · **Reply #12 on:** October 02, 2011, 04:41:32 PM

How much is stuff over there Cyber? And nice pictures you posted. And did you buy anything good yet?

StarfallRaptor · **Reply #13 on:** October 02, 2011, 08:10:18 PM

Oh, man! I'm so~ jealous of you~!
Lucky~!

Petrie85 · **Reply #14 on:** October 02, 2011, 08:25:45 PM

I know I'm as well.

Cyberlizard · **Reply #15 on:** October 04, 2011, 04:51:49 AM

Quote from: Petrie85,Oct 2 2011 on 01:41 PM

How much is stuff over there Cyber? And nice pictures you posted. And did you buy anything good yet?

Let's see here... So far I've bought a ceramic hot pot, a Japanese rice cooker, a takoyaki plate, and a few bento boxes. Oh, and I also got a bottle of good sake and a box of high-quality ramen from my homestay family. xP

Quote

It is no wonder why Japan gets a hold of these games six to eight months before any other country, but I know that the Japanese are huge fans of Pokemon.

It's kinda like that with any Japanese RPG.

Some aren't even released overseas at all, like the old Final Fantasy games. LOL!

Kor · **Reply #16 on:** October 04, 2011, 11:39:37 AM

Great pictures you posted. Sounds like things are going great for you.

Petrie85 · **Reply #17 on:** October 04, 2011, 08:08:26 PM

I'm glad you're doing fine over there. Did you get any Anime yet?

Cyberlizard · **Reply #18 on:** October 04, 2011, 08:28:36 PM

Not really. DVDs can be kind of expensive over here, and the only way to watch them is on a Japanese DVD player because their Region 2 lock...

Petrie85 · **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2011, 05:27:29 AM

Ahhhh yeah I know they're. I know the one Yen is only 1 1/2 cent to the american dollar. So I can see what they're expensive.