Life in Aobadai

View from our lab in Ookayama

Now I have been in Japan for a little over a month and am really starting to get into the rhythm of things. Every day leaving the dormitory for school, squeezing into the crowded train, and in the evening returning on an even more crowded train - regardless of if you are returning at 17 or at 23. We have around a 10 minute walk to the station, and about 1 hour door-to-door from dorm to campus.

View from dorm balcony

Most of my time is spent on or around campus, or on adventures in Tokyo. Though I have had the chance to go explore our little Aobadai a few times. Aobadai is actually situated in Yokohama which is the second most populated city in Japan after Tokyo. I have taken a few walks, and gone for a few runs.

There are somewhat many people walking about in Aobadai but not nearly as many as if you get closer to Tokyo, or if you go southeast in Yokohama. Which is why it is quite calm and peaceful out here. Supermarkets and restaurants are plentiful. Nearby the Aobadai Station is a department store called Tokyu Square, and there we have electronics shops, clothing stores, and much more. Also in Tokyu Square is the supermarket Fuji Garden which is the foodstore I usually visit. If you take the walk from the station to our dorm, Shofu, then you will find yourself walking past at least four more supermarkets.

The price of food from the store here is close to what it is back in Sweden, though slightly cheaper. But any readymade food is extremely cheap! Just yesterday morning I bought two bento-boxes for 525 JPY in total (35 SEK). So sometimes cooking feels like too much of a hassle. Also, our kitchen only has a gas stove with two spots. I feel very limited without my good ol’ oven back home. But it does not stop me from cooking every now and then.

Shofu

Umegaoka

Though more expensive restaurants can easily be found. We have a nice burger joint called Freshness Burger, and tomorrow some friends and I will try しゃぶしゃぶ (shabu-shabu). Exciting!

The dormitory is very affordable and conditions here are decent. Most time is spent by my desk, at the ping pong table in the common room, or in my bed. For birthdays and other such events us YSEP students usually meet up at the other dormitory, in Umegaoka, which is about a 30 minute walk from our dorm. I hope I will survive this dormitory for 10 more months.

cheers
-
http://jonasroth.tumblr.com/search/aobadai