Hakata Station Mall

This place had it all.

Shopping Mall in Saga

Twenty years ago, one of the sights to see in Saga City was the Arcade, a collection of small shops inside a covered sidewalk. These days it is a little sad and derelict. It feels a little off the beaten path. According to a few people I spoke with, the new malls on the outside of town are attracting all the business.

After a light lunch I headed to the shopping center, Aeon, to check it out. It was indeed very bright and the goods were vigorously presented. Here are just a few shots:

A loud and chaotic store - like Hot Topic

Kimono shop

Grocery Store

Oooo - Fireworks

Youth clothes in the Aeon Store

Many thanks to Dr. Sumi

I would just like to make a public thank you to Kazuhiro Sumi for helping to connect me with schools in the Saga area and making so many excellent suggestions. He was very generous with his time and his insights will guide my next steps for both Study Abroad and for research.

From the left: Myself, Haruka (10), Kazuhiro, and Hiroko

Na Washi Paper

After visiting the school for the day, we popped into the Na Washi Paper shop a couple of miles up the road.

Matsuume Middle School

Great things come in small packages.

Prefectural Offices

I visited the Saga Prefectural offices today on an important mission to sort out a possible Study Abroad program.

Saga Government Building

The people from the International Affairs Division (IAD), the Saga Coordinator for International Relations (CIR), and the Saga Prefecture International Relations Association (SPIRA) were all very helpful. We worked out housing needs and processed the details for getting 10 to 12 students on Home Stays. We were even able to work out the best dates and times for such an adventure.

Clockwise from upper left: Eguchi Takamachi (SPIRA), me, Tsutumi Shogo (Section Chief), Ms. Ita (IAD), Hana Lee (CIR Canada), and Yukiko Koga (IAD)

There is a great deal to work out to keep the price affordable for such a trip and to make it enjoyable for the students. We also worked on details for renting a mini-bus, going to an onsen (spa), visiting local schools, and other details.

Marumo no Okite

The student from Ogi Junior High School like the television show called Marumo no Okite.

In a nutshell, Marumo's best friend suddenly dies from cancer, leaving behind his twin children. The children's mother had already abandoned them when they were young, and they had no other dependents left. The twin's relatives argued over who will take responsibility for them, and in the end, the twins were separated. However, the twins were extremely close, and both ran away from their respective foster families. Marumo managed to find them, and after a brief struggle to bring them back, Marumo gives in and agrees that the twin can stay with him. Along the way back, a dog, which has been following Tomoki, followed them back to Marumo's house.

However, Marumo has no parenting experience and makes a lousy parent. He manages to care for them, together with the help of his landlord and the landlord's daughter. Over time, they faced many challenges, with Marumo trying hard to balance his time between his work and taking care of the twins.

Here is a preview of the show: http://www.veoh.com/watch/v20940660WTQhQgfQ

Thank you to former student of Ogi, Nozomi Kugita, for the assistance.