The Gaijin Odyssey

An in depth account of one American's first time abroad.

Preface

The word gaijin is Japanese for foreigner. (especially one of European ancestry) It is used to describe people of non-Japanese decent or outsiders. However, in Japanese culture it is a derogatory term that can carry offensive connotations. It is not often used by television broadcasters or public speakers as to avoid controversy.

In this piece I refer to myself as a gaijin because of the simple fact that during this trip, I was one. I was an outsider. This was the first time I'd ever been to Japan and was uninitiated in the ways of their culture. In other words, my American was showing almost every place I went. I know it doesn't come out very well in print, but a lot of times I use the term sarcastically. There's no harm intended, but the sarcastic asshole in me does want to elicit some smiles here and there.

During the summer of 2014, I participated in the Kakehashi Project. Kakehashi means 'bridge', and the Kakehashi Project is meant to be 'the bridge for tomorrow', allowing students from the U.S. and Japan to get to know more about each other and strengthen the bonds between our two countries. Essentially, it was an amazing 10 day tour of the major cities and culturally significant parts of Japan.

It was an opportunity for enormous personal growth...and an opportunity for my inner otaku to run around loose and unchecked.

Day 1: Travel in a Chicken Coop 

Day 2: Breaking all the Rules 

Day 3: Bullet Trains, Octopi and Severe Stillness  

Day 4: InterACTION! 

Day 5: Humpday to Mecca 

Day 6: Finally Fighting Fatigue 

Day 7: Gaijin and the Chocolate Factory 

Day 8: Akiba Strikes Back! 

Day 9: A Maelstrom of Past, Present and Future  

Day 10: Reverse Culture Shock