Some of the cluster people have been teasing me for going on a "holiday" and not really a work trip. To give myself some credit, I worked really hard there!! The initial days of the trip were very packed & busy with back-to-back meetings and with me sleeping at 2am daily and once, 4 am to finish up reports & minutes... But as the weekend approached, the meetings winded down and the mission had time for R&R in Osaka & Kyoto. So... It was a part-work, part-holiday trip. haha. :)
Japan's lovely! Kyoto is charming, Tokyo is vibrant and Osaka, well, has the best ramen in Japan!
First, the fun pictures!
Restaurants in Japan are really pretty & quaint. They are often small, cosy and tastefully-decorated.
Even their menus are super pretty.
Very yummy cold soba.
Happening mums & cute little kids.
Our EDB scholar - Bernard studying at University of Tokyo
Singaporeans aren't the only ones to queue for donuts!
The hotel was just 3 minutes away from Times Square. Fantabulous!
The glum Waseda Bear.
On the bullet train to Osaka
Kickass ramen
And the sign says "No Parking"
Kiyomizu Temple - 清水寺
Fake Geishas!
Namba @ Osaka
Dinner with scholars studying in Japan
THE BEST Orange Sherbet. It arrived on a plate of ice chips. Brilliant.
Our kawaii EDB scholar - Candice - studying at Osaka University
At Kensai Airport
The jet that flew me home :)
An amazing sight on the plane. Snow flakes!
The wing of the plane
And now, the work related pictures:
JASSO Tokyo Japanese Language Education Center
A peek into the classroom
The cafeteria
The dorms
PSC Scholar's accomodation in Tokyo
Very very tiny!
The "Kitchen"
University of Tokyo 
A research lab
The cafeteria
Japanese Language School affiliated with Tokyo International University
Meiji University
Meiji is located right in the middle of Tokyo. This campus sits in building that is 20 over storeys high, hence the view from the top is fantastic.
Meiji is located right in the middle of Tokyo. This campus sits in building that is 20 over storeys high, hence the view from the top is fantastic.
The library
The entire mission
Waseda University
A very vibrant campus. The CCA building was buzzing with activities even though it was the school holidays. Students were preparing for the Waseda Cultural Festival. Here you can see students in the background playing their violins.
A very vibrant campus. The CCA building was buzzing with activities even though it was the school holidays. Students were preparing for the Waseda Cultural Festival. Here you can see students in the background playing their violins.
The library tower.
Notice the banner? It's the 125th Anniversary of Waseda University this year.
Keio University
The library
The cafeteria
Takushoku University
Kyoto University
A model of the school campus
The Economics Faculty(compare this with the Engineering Faculty below...)
The Engineering Faculty(notice the stark contrast? :))
The school library
JASSO Osaka Japanese Language Education Center
A PSC Scholar's accomodation in Osaka
His apartment faces a mini farm. Fresh air everyday!
Osaka University
A research lab
~ posted by Chee Huey
