My first day in Japan was as expected: rainy and humid. Despite the weather, nothing could dampen my mood as I returned to a place I had called home from 2019-2021. Japan will always have a special place in my heart, and I am so incredibly excited to see it through the lens of gerontology. Being able to combine my medical background with my prior experiences here is an opportunity I’ve very much looked forward to. Living and working in Tokyo allowed me to see the infrastructure and support that aging adults are given, and in turn they are much more visible and integrated in society here when compared with the US.
Once I got to the hotel, my first stop was 7-11 to grab some onigiri (rice balls) for an early dinner. Despite my excitement, the 14-hour time difference kicked in and I went to bed. The next morning, jet lag woke me up at 5:30, so I got to roam the quiet streets of Tokyo before the hustle and bustle began. I grabbed an iced coffee (from 7-11 again, of course) and strolled as the morning commuters rushed to their destinations. The sun rises around 4:30 AM in the summer here, so early mornings don’t feel quite so early. Once the world also woke up, I hopped on the train to do some exploring before my program started. I visited Machida, the town on the outskirts of Tokyo I used to teach in and saw some old friends.
Now my colleagues and classmates are all touching down in Japan as I write this! The day has finally come for us to start our program and I am incredibly excited!
Sara Chang