Temple University Athletics
Temple Owls Take On Japan
5.20.24 | General
Follow along with the Owls on their trip to Japan.
SUNDAY, MAY 19 - Day 8
Reese Dehaan of women's gymnastics and Jessie Zheng of women's tennis blog about Day 8 in Japan.
For the free day to explore Japan I started by going back to Ameyoko Shopping Street with Madisson. We bought clothes, our final souvenirs, and ate street food before exploring Ueno Park. Later in the day I traveled with Maddy and Margherita to Musashi-Koyama Onsen Shimizu-yu. The onsen is made up of saunas and thermal pods that use hot springs to power them. The facility is also split into two sections (one for men and one for women) because people must change, rinse, and enter naked. The onsen was a cheap, eye-opening experience. We were able to make friends with the locals and their children who were enjoying the relaxing hot springs too. At the recommendation of the women we met our group was able to have dinner at Men-ya Ichizu, a French-inspired ramen restaurant. We ended our free day by getting Mister Donut and walking through the shops at Koyama. We decided collectively that our favorite part of the trip so far was the hot springs experience. - Reese Dehaan
Today we have a free day to explore Tokyo on our own. Tamara and I went to Ikebukuro, another popular shopping area with some good restaurants. We went to a local Japanese restaurant and had soba noodles and tempura rice bowl for lunch, which was very delicious. What I enjoy most about starting today is that we have our own time, no rush, and no schedule constraints. But at the same time I also learned that if we want to use our free time wisely, we should plan before going out, especially in a country we are not familiar with. Planning your day's itinerary, searching for transportation, and finding delicious food in advance will make your time more efficient and more enjoyable. This trip meant a lot to me because I got closer to my teammates than before, I met athletes from other sports at Temple University, and I learned a lot about Japanese history while we enjoyed the trip which I like it the most. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to go on this tour, it was educational and I enjoyed exploring Tokyo after a busy spring schedule. - Jessie Zheng
PHOTOS FROM DAY 8
PHOTOS (L to R): Women’s gymnasts on their way to enjoy Tokyo; The view of Ameyoko Shopping Street; Student-athletes pose inside the Musashi-Koyama Onsen Shumizu-yu; 4-6 Men-ya Ichizu for dinner; Lunch in Ikebukuro; Fresh, refreshing bubble tea
SATURDAY, MAY 18 - Day 7
Andrew McIlquham of football and women's basketball's Makayla Waleed blog about Day 7 in Japan.
My day started at 9:20am when I went down to grab some breakfast at our hotel before we had to meet as a group at 10:00am. At 10:00am we met as a group in the lobby and headed to the train station. Once we got to the train station, we got on the subway to Minatomirai and Chinatown. When we arrived at Minatomirai we could definitely start to feel the heat as it was in the 80’s today. We didn’t spend much time in Minatomirai, but we were able to see a little bit of a car show and were able to see a lot of the ocean. It was about a 10-minute walk from Minatomirai to Chinatown. Once we made it to Chinatown, we were able to split up from the group and explore. We had from 12:10 pm to 1:30pm to do whatever we wanted in Chinatown. The first thing that I did was try to find food, and what I found was a pork dumpling. It was amazing! After I ate my dumpling, I walked around and stopped into some shops and looked at some vintage shirts. This was an awesome experience to see Chinatown and to continue to drive deeper into Japanese culture. Once the clock hit 1:30 pm it was time to head back to the group and head to Yokohama stadium.
This was by far my favorite experience of the whole trip. Walking towards the stadium I could feel the energy of the fan walking into the stadium. I was so eager to see the stadium and the massive crowds of people in the stadium seats. Once we all got our tickets and got into the stadium, I was in shock of how many people were at the game. Once we got to our seat, I was able to start taking it all in. The game was just about to start and the players on the Baystars team all had introductions with fireworks. The stadium was split into two sides the Baystars side which was the home team and the Dragons side which was the away team. Both sides were able to fill up the stadium and they were eclectic. After the players took the field, the cheerleaders came onto the field holding up signs cheering on the Baystars. They were starting chants that the Baystars fans cheered to. Once the cheerleaders cleared the field it was time for the first pitch. Both teams had a band and they started playing and the crowd from both teams started cheering. As the game went on the excitement with the fans continued. In the second inning the Baystars hit a 3-run homerun and the stadium roared. The band played loud and the Baystars section were waving flags and streaming out their chants. This whole experience felt as if I was at an MLB game, a professional soccer game, and a college football game all combined. The energy was unmatched, and it was an amazing experience. We ended up leaving the game in the bottom of the 7th inning and the score was 3-2 Baystars. When we exited the stadium, we headed back to the hotel and got freshened up for dinner. Once it was time for dinner, we went to an all you can eat sushi restaurant. The food was great, and we ended up having close to 50 plates of food with our table of 6. Overall, today was an amazing experience and I was so happy I was able to have the opportunity to do it. - Andrew McIlquham
Today the group went to Chinatown and a baseball game today. I learned that Japan has a HUGE baseball following, the stadium was packed and the fans were super engaged in the game.
What I enjoyed most about today was going to Chinatown. Talking to the sweet old ladies at the shops and trying the different drinks/ food was my favorite.
Overall this trip has meant a lot to me. It has allowed me to continue to affirm my love for travel and keep opening me up to trying new things and building relationships with people from all kinds of backgrounds. Something fun I tried was a shrimp bao sandwich and a pizza bao (I didn’t even know they made those) but 10/10 highly recommend!???? - Makayla Waleed
PHOTOS FROM DAY 7
PHOTOS (L to R): Photos 1-4 - Taking in the baseball game; Frozen treat and view from the stands for baseball game; Bubble tea in Chinatown; Delicious bao for sale by local vendor
FRIDAY, MAY 17 - Day 6
Football's Zamar Grove and Thamara Frasser Kawaratani of women's tennis blog about Day 6 in Japan.
Today we attended a sumo wrestling match. It happened to be my first sumo wrestling match ever and it was very thrilling. A very well respected sport in Japan they are treated like celebrities, when they walk into the arena before the tournament the crowd cheered them.
We attended the Ryogoku Kokugikan. It’s a sumo wrestling Arena and is the biggest sumo wrestling arena in Japan. They kept the history of sumo wrestling in the arena they also have a museum in there of all the names and pictures of the older sumo wrestlers.
The people in the arena were very loud when it was time for the match to start. Sumo wrestlers walk into the ring and throw salt on the ground to keep evil spirits out. Then line up face to face to began the match then charge at each other trying to knock the other out the ring. This was five hour event.
After the tournament we got out of the subway station, we see a they have images of the sumo wrestlers hands on the wall you can see while walking out. We headed to a restaurant that served as food like fried fish, fried squid, fried onions , fried cabbage , fried eggs , and fried potatoes. We ate wall watching a baseball game on the screen. Overall a very good meal the scenery was also very nice and was anime themed.
Personally this was cool to see other athletes in action playing another contact sport. It was a lot of skill that it took to win some of these matches that me and my peers could notice. - Zamar Grove
Today is a week into our Tokyo trip, and it has gone by very fast! From the packed itinerary, we were fortunate to have a free morning to travel around the city ourselves. Having spent every day using the transport system, we were all able to individually go around different areas of the city on our own. A few of us went to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, or stayed at the hotel for a very needed rest. The main event for today was the sumo tournament held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium. There are six grand sumo tournaments scheduled for the 2024 calendar, and we attended ‘The May Grand Sumo Tournament’. It was an incredible experience that immersed us in Japan’s rich culture.
As the huge sumo wrestlers’ step onto the designated arena, the atmosphere was full of energy. The most interesting aspect we witnessed was the incredible rituals performed by the sumo wrestlers. The matches took an average of 10–30 seconds; however, the rituals performed beforehand took many, many minutes. The wrestlers are seen bowing into the ring and performing the 'shiko’, a powerful leg-stomping ritual to drive away evil spirits. Further, they take a hand full of salt and scatter it onto themselves and the ring, as it is believed to cleanse and purify the space. The specific ritual is performed by every wrestler, demonstrating a sense of respect and solemnity for the traditions and sport. It was truly a great experience, as there is really nothing like it! We were able to learn a lot more about the depth of Japanese culture and how it is still preserved in different ways. - Thamara Frasser Kawaratani
PHOTOS FROM DAY 6
View of the May Grand Sumo Tournament.
THURSDAY, MAY 16 - Day 5
Peter Clarke of football and Sumaya Togba of women's soccer blog about Day 5 in Japan.
Today we started the day by visiting the Kenchoji temple which is the number one temple of Kamakura's five great Zen temples. This temple was one of the first in Japan to practice zen! This Temple was great to visit and had a soothing energy around it. We walked around the temple and surrounding buildings aswell as sit inside of the zen garden. After this we visited the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine aswell as the Great Buddha of Kamakura and ended our day visiting a nearby beach!
Today I learnt all about Buddhism and the difference between Temples and Shrines. I learnt a lot about the practice of monks and how they operate. Today I enjoyed the beach the most as it was fun to swim in the water and get to relax after a busy day. This trip has ment a great deal to me as I had never traveled to Asia and always wanted too so this trip provided me with the opportunity to experience a dream destination for me. - Peter Clarke
We went to temple and shrines, as well as the beach. Butsu-den houses the main statue of Kencho-ji Temple, Jizo-bosatsu (Ksitigarbha), that promises to save all creatures in both heaven and hell and allow them to rest in peace. Kencho-ji Temple's Byakushin Chinese Juniper (isted in the One Hundred Trees in Kanagawa Prefecture and Kamakura City's designated trees for preservation)Japanese name: Ibuki (cypress family). This tree is said to have grown from a seed that Rankei Doryu brought from China and planted at the time of the founding of the temple.It is still vigorously growing and widely known as one of the most famous trees in Kanagawa Prefecture. I enjoyed going to the beach and having free time to explore. This trip gave me the opportunity to explore a completely different culture. - Sumaya Togba
PHOTOS FROM DAY 5
PHOTOS (L to R): Peter Clarke flexing with a Temple Japan student.; Entrance to Kenchoji Temple.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 - Day 4
Aleah Nelson and Alexandra Wilkinson of women's basketball, and Antwone Santiago of football blog about Day 4 in Japan.
We started the morning learning each other, and at first I was irritated. Why are we doing this elementary activity? But then it made sense. I didn’t know a couple people’s names and it was a good way to ‘wake us up’ in a way. We then headed to Ueno Park which I liked because the shopping was much better than in Shibuya, in my opinion. I ended up buying three shirts and it isn’t the shirts I’ll remember but the experience buying them. Telling locals that you are from the States is very fascinating to them. I didn’t realize how much influence American culture (specifically black culture) has on other cultures and people around the world. Funny story: l taught the vendor how to “dap up” and he wouldn’t stop dapping me up after I taught him haha.
Then we took a trip to Akihabara aka, Anime World. Honestly, this was my favorite part of the trip and probably will be for the entire trip. I say this because I am really into anime. I can honestly watch it all day and get lost in an episode or series. Anime isn’t like animation like in the United States that consists of goofy raunchy content but more so content that has to do with life lessons, friendship, love, hate, navigating relationships and more. I bought figure of my ALL TIME FAVORITE CHARACTER from my favorite show Chainsaw Man. Also, I got the Manga series of Death Note which is my second favorite anime show. I’m not only excited that I got the manga but it’s also because I got it from Japan and they only sell the original series here.
Overall, I am mostly impressed about the hospitality and politeness expressed here. It seems like no matter where we go in Japan we are always treated with respect. Wish I could say the same for America lol. I learned how impactful our culture is to other people as well. - Aleah Nelson
Today, on May 15th, during our trip abroad to Japan we visited Ueno Park, Akihabara, and Ameyoko street. Starting off, Ameyoko had a variety of things to do. Some of the many interesting things that they had were tonghulu fruit stands, fresh fish for sale, multiple clothing shops with exclusive things that you wouldn’t be able to purchase in the US, and many other things with generous pricing.
Ueno park was also intriguing and fun to explore. One of the first things that caught my eye was this European looking restaurant, this was the first pizza I’ve seen being sold here in Japan. Some other students and I decided to walk towards a temple we saw in the distance. Before arriving at the temple entrance there was a small sized concrete fountain with a small dragon on it. The group of people around it caught my eye and made me want to approach it to see what it was all about. This fountain was a sacred cleansing fountain. The rules or manners for the fountain were to first, take the ladle with your right hand and fill it with water to cleanse your left hand. Next was to do the same thing to your other hand. Following that step we had to take the water and rinse our mouths with it. I accidentally put it in my mouth, which was something I wasn’t supposed to do and rinsed it like mouth wash. That wasn’t really smart of me at all.
Once we were finished with the fountain, a women selling bracelets called us over. This bracelet stand was at the start of the temple. Kiyomizu Kannon-do was the name of this temple. I purchased a bracelet for about 3000 yen which is $19.37 in US dollars. Each bracelet had certain meanings. The bracelet I purchased represented good luck and power. Finishing up with this I met up with some more students on the trip and took a trip to the zoo. The zoo was 600 yen which is 3.86 usd. Inside of the zoo we saw animals like polar bears, elephants, tigers, gorillas, a black bear, seal, and others. The zoo was supposedly not recommended but It turned out to be enjoyable.
After leaving the zoo we went to Akihabara. This section of Tokyo had lots of things to do as well. There were lots of anime murals on the walls and anime shops around. My favorite thing here was the arcade.
Following this, at the end of the day we all to a trip to dinner T.Y. Harbor Brewery Restaurant. This place was exceptional. The service was great and so was the food to add to it, it was a water front restaurant. - Antwone Santiago
Today we took a trip to Ueno Park where we explored a vibrant loud food/shopping market along with huge park with a zoo and many restaurants, we also went to akihabara where all your anime and electronics wants could be found! Today I saw just how huge the anime and gaming scene truly is in Tokyo, with many multi level stores full of anime figures, shirts and games.
Since I am such a huge anime fan today for me the Anime world we were thrown into was the highlight of my day! This trip has been such an amazing opportunity for me to see where all my favorite things originate from. The anime experience along with all the shopping I’ve been doing on this trip has been nothing short of exciting and incredible! - Alli Wilkinson
PHOTOS FROM DAY 4
PHOTOS (L to R): Selection of anime for sale in Ueno Park.
TUESDAY, MAY 14 - Day 3
Volleyball's Patty Zielinska and Aaron Markowitz of men's soccer blog about Day 3 in Japan.
Today, we embarked on a journey to Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most historic districts. Our first stop was the iconic Senso-ji Temple. This ancient Buddhist temple, brimming with history, stands as a centerpiece of traditional Japanese culture. The area around the temple was bustling with activity, featuring a vibrant marketplace filled with an array of shops offering unique souvenirs and diverse foods- we got to try some traditional Ramen soup! One of the highlights was observing locals and tourists alike dressed in beautiful kimonos, adding to the authentic atmosphere. The streets were filled with people capturing the essence of this culturally rich area through their cameras. There was a lot of tourists, just like us!
After that experience, we enjoyed a leisurely walk along the Sumida River, which led us to our next destination: Tokyo Skytree. This towering structure, standing at 634 meters, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You can see Tokyo from every angle, every direction, every side. Despite a few clouds, we were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the majestic Mount Fuji in the distance. . Post our Skytree adventure, we returned to our hotel for a brief rest. Then, we set out for a traditional Japanese dinner. Sushi was on the menu, and a lot of more traditional goodies.
The weather was perfect throughout the day—sunny and warm, ideal for our explorations. A special thanks to our chaperones, whose guidance and knowledge of the area made our day seamless and enjoyable. Their assistance was invaluable. Overall, it was another fantastic day in Tokyo, filled with culture, history, and amazing experiences. We look forward to more adventures in this incredible city. - Patrycja Zielinska
Today we traveled to Asakusa where we were able to explore the area and Senso-ji Temple. There were many local shops and Japanese cuisine scattered around the temple, making it a hotspot for tourists like us. After spending some time in Asakusa, we headed over to the Tokyo Sky Tree, a television broadcasting tower over 2,000 feet tall. The Sky Tree is the tallest structure in Japan, making the view from the top floor undeniably beautiful as it encompasses a large portion of Tokyo.
A fun part of my day in Asakusa resided in a small, crowded restaurant. My teammates and I spent lunch cooking our own food over a grill, making it a fun, interactive experience. The wagyu beef was delicious and didn’t break the bank. This trip has been a once in a lifetime experience and I can’t wait to see what is in store for the rest of my time here in Japan. - Aaron Markowitz
PHOTOS FROM DAY 3
PHOTOS (L to R): View from the top Tokyo Skytree; Aaron, Felix and Rocco from Men’s soccer with Dr. Rick Ridall; Selfie with Makayla, Patty, and Sumaya from the top of the Skytree; Student photo of Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo
MONDAY, MAY 13 - Day 2
Chudear Tut of volleyball blogs about Day 2 in Japan.
Overall, from my trip so far Japanese culture is rooted in cleanliness, respect for your neighbor, and genuine kindness.
Everywhere I go, I note how clean the space is and how amazing it smells. There are little to no trash cans in public spaces yet the area remains clean. It seems like everyone has a respect for the space and hold onto their trash. It always smells fresh no matter where you go, even the bathrooms! The streets are filled with trees, plants, and flowers so the air just smells amazing. Traffic laws are respected, even pedestrians will not walk into the road unless their light indicator has instructed them to. The people are very nice and willing to help. For the most part, they keep to themselves but if asked for help they give you their full attention with a smile.
I’m eager to learn new phrases everyday. So far, I’ve learned good morning, good afternoon, good evening, how are you?, thank you, excuse me, I’m sorry, hello, and goodbye. I’m currently learning restaurant phrases to help me order.
The food is the best part in my opinion. I’m trying new food everyday! There are so many options when you’re in the city. Some I absolutely love! Some I don’t like that much. But im glad I have the privilege to try new foods. I’m very grateful.
The other day, we got free time to explore Shibuya and I found a a shop dedicated to anime! Anime is one of the many reasons I chose to go to Japan. The shop had a huge statue of the main character from my favorite anime One Piece! Of course I had to get my picture next to it! The gaming culture is so immersive in Japan, it’s so cool. It connects people in ways that you cannot imagine. I watched mothers and daughters playing Nintendo Wii on the big screen, groups of friends posing next to Pokémon, and strangers relating to each other with similar interests. Love love loved it.
Even though we were in a city, it did not feel like what I was used to. The streets are often small and the shops are “hole in the wall” style. Some are your stereotypical western style but most seem like local treasures. I felt a strong sense of community whilst walking down the roads, it’s really cool.
Later on our trip, we will visit historical sites based off Japan's rich traditional past. I’m having a great time so far and am looking forward to getting out of the city and experiencing Japan as a whole. This trip is so cool!
PHOTOS FROM DAY 2 - Coming Soon
SUNDAY, MAY 12 - Day 1
Maddy Elmore of women's gymnastics and Felix Ewald of men's soccer and blog about Day 1 in Japan.
Today, we went around Temple University Japan & took a trip around Shibuya. Shibuya was a very interesting & fun place to explore with several different stores ranging from clothes, electronics, facial products, etc. I really enjoyed walking around Shibuya and seeing the different variations of stores that we have in the U.S! The Japanese soda is amazing!! Even though this was our first day out and about in Japan, I'm excited to see what else Japan has to show! - Madisson Elmore
On our first day in Tokyo, we were unfortunately surprised by bad weather. We had breakfast at 8 a.m. It was incredibly delicious with lots of Japanese specialties. At 9am we met in the lobby and all took a photo together to capture our first trip as a group. We then walked to the subway and had a heated first subway ride. We then went to the Temple campus, looked at the buildings, learned more about the campus and got some tips on "surviving" in Tokyo. Afterwards we had lunch together in the cafeteria. Then we went back to the city center and had 3 hours of free time where we walked around in groups and many of us went shopping. Finally, we met up again at 5 and had dinner together in a small classic Japanese restaurant. At the end we could decide whether we wanted to stay in the city or go back to the hotel, most of us went back as many of us were very tired and still struggling a bit with the jet leg. - Felix Ewald
PHOTOS FROM DAY 1
PHOTOS (L to R): Gymnast Maddie Elmore in front of Temple University Japan Campus; Students exploring Shibuya; Professor Rick Ridall and student-athletes pose with TUJ students in front of campus; Directional sign pointing to Temple University Japan; Men’s soccer and Football student-athletes getting ready to explore Tokyo
