Life inTsuruga-shi, Fukui-ken (the Inaka)

Trip Start Jul 29, 2007

Trip End Ongoing

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Where I stayed

My house

(Fukui hotels)

Flag of Japan Fukui, Japan
Monday, September 3, 2007

So as you can imagine, transitioning from the big city of lights, technology, and entertainment to a life much like my life in Conyers, Georgia was truly an adjustment. After a short orientation in Fukui-shi, I moved to my small humble city of Tsuruga. Tsuruga has everything you need, except for a population below the age of 80. Ok, I'm just kidding, but the lack of young people in this town is a stark difference than most big cities in Japan.

But what Tsuruga lacked in entertainment and a youthful population, it made up for in beautiful nature. All around you was nature- green covered mountained that would be beautifully snowcapped in the wintertime, a dazzling blue ocean that would have been perfect had there not been power plants in the near distance. But Tsuruga was truly a beautiful place. Here I would spend the next 12 months (or more) of my life.

Summer was a great time to move to Tsuruga (little did I know the harsh winters I would experience but a few months later)

Tim chillin on Matsubara Beach

. Although the weather was muggy and humid, it was warm, and I love warm! Living 5 minutes from the beach I could easily cool down (that is until jellyfish season started in a couple of weeks). The rainfall was crazy, everyday it rained for at least an our or so. I heard that's just how mountain life is in general...who knows. But there were also some pretty cool shrines and festivals to keep me occupied- not to mention the gorgeous Mizushima beach.

This all occupied me for the month I had off before school started. That's when the real excitement began! I was coming from an elementary school background, and had no idea what to expect from high school students. But I was in for more than a pleasant surprise! The kids were great, and I came in just in time for the school festival- the biggest school event. Students dressed up, made bands, performed plays, and cool hip hop dances. I fell in love with Tsuruga high school from Day 1!