 | Name: Zhang Jingcheng Nationality: Chinese Location Visited: Kitakata City |
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I feel very privileged to have been able to take part in the 2014 Fukushima Support & Exchange Tour for Chinese University Students run by Fukushima prefecture. While it was short, it proved be a very wonderful experience.
I was mesmerized by the beautiful scenery including the mysterious yet peaceful Mt. Bandai and Goshiki-numa, far away from the bustling metropolitan area. I was surprised by how well preserve Tsurugajo castle is, acting as the centre of the Aizu Region. If I was to compare its balance with the surrounding nature, I would say it was like one of the swans swimming on Lake Inawashiro.
I’d also like to talk about the people of Fukushima. During the trip we stayed overnight with a farming family. I stayed with 3 other participants on the Minagawa family’s farm. There we got to experience picking persimmons, and operating farming equipment. We also got to experience new things that are uncommon in China, such as sleeping on a futon on tatami mats, and preparing a traditional Japanese dinner.
The Minagawa family had made many preparations for us. One example was the fact that they had circled the two days we would be staying and labeled them as‘important’. During dinner Mr. Minagawa told us much about his life’s experiences and we also talked about Japanese customs, things foreigners find hard adjusting to when coming to Japan, and our hobbies. Mr. Minagawa’s hobby was Japanese castles and Japanese gardens. In his own back yard he had spent ten years creating his ideal garden. The garden is far from being completed, but we saw some maple trees that have been planted. While washing the dishes after dinner Mr. Minagawa lit up the garden using the lights of his car. As the maple leaves were lit up and reflected on the water we could not help but be moved by the lengths that the Minagawas had gone to prepare for us.
We had only spent 20 hours on the farm but when the time came to say goodbye, everyone had tears in their eyes. Surely this is the meaning of the Japanese phrase ‘Treasure every encounter, for it may be the last’.
I will return to Fukushima. I will tell my friends and family of its beauty and of the kindness of its people.
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