For most students, a year abroad requires a few months of planning. For me, heading to Japan feels more like the culmination of a decade-long, slightly obsessive, cultural deep dive. As for the Shinkansen? I’ve already ‘ridden’ it virtually a hundred times through documentaries and absorbed countless tales of Kyoto’s hidden lanes via podcasts. I’m particularly interested in how Japan gracefully coexists with its environment. My understanding of Japan, pieced together from biographies, cultural analyses, and countless hours of video, isn’t just academic, it’s practically ingrained.
My pre-departure training involved more podcasts than textbooks, all to master the art of sustainable living, Japanese style. Luckily, the University of Sheffield has already supplied me with an arsenal of ‘my baggu’ (reusable bags)! I’ve also been honing my ‘mottainai’ skills right here in Sheffield; my trusty Tupperware is already a seasoned traveller, ready to ensure no delicious dish goes to waste. Speaking of transport, having conquered Sheffield’s notoriously steep hills on two wheels, Kyoto’s flatter terrain will be a breeze (literally!). Plus, a student already living there, whom I’ve spoken with extensively, is selling me her second-hand bike – it’s practically fate, and a truly circular economy in action!
I’ve practically got a PhD in future bin separation – ‘moeru gomi’ (burnable), ‘moenai gomi’ (non-burnable), plastics, paper, all of it. Kyoto’s reputation for low household waste generation isn’t lost on me; I’m prepared to meticulously follow every rule. My culinary quest will lead me directly to Nishiki Market, Kyoto’s ‘Kitchen,’ where I’ll prioritize local, seasonal ‘Kyo-yasai’ for my home cooking. This isn’t just about delicious, fresh ingredients; it’s about reducing food miles and embracing the ‘Obanzai’ style of cooking – simple, resourceful, and inherently seasonal.
Beyond the daily grind, I’m genuinely excited to embrace Japan’s unique environmental initiatives. I discovered the ‘Uchimizu’ practice (sprinkling water to cool streets), a tradition rooted in Tokyo, which supposedly dropped temperatures by a degree. It sounds like a scene from a whimsical eco-documentary, but it worked! I’m also eager to participate in ‘DO YOU KYOTO?’ Day on the 16th of each month. I fully intend to be that enthusiastic student reminding everyone about it and inviting fellow students and locals to join in, whether it’s through a community clean-up or just turning off the lights. As for exploring beyond Kyoto, my driving skills (or lack thereof) mean I’ll naturally prioritise the Shinkansen for longer journeys.
This year, I aim to not just live in Japan, but to live with Japan, embracing its sustainable wisdom from the efficient pulse of the Shinkansen to the mindful practices of its kitchens. It’s a chance to truly embody responsible consumption, climate action, and sustainable community living, and I can’t wait to learn, contribute, and share these experiences.
1. https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7843-flooded-metro-helps-sizzling-tokyo-cool-off/
2. https://www.japan.travel/en/responsible-travel-guide/features/mottainai-mindful-consumption/
3. https://kyoto-kogomi.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gominowakekatadashikataleafleten.pdf
4. https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7843-flooded-metro-helps-sizzling-tokyo-cool-off/
5. https://talkofthecities.iclei.org/tapplications-do-you-kyoto/
