Reaching the destination

Hey... 

Have you read my previous post? okay, if you haven't just click this word :)

In this post, I want to continue my exchange story by showing you the place where I visited before. Hopefully, it can be useful for you. Especially for my juniors who want to join this exchange program. 

I am sure that you might never hear the name of this city. That's also what had happened to me. 

Kochi

When I searched for Google for the first time, I was surprised that it showed a city in India. Oh, it's not the correct city. Then, I changed the keyword by adding the "Japan" word. Finally, I could get some information about this correct city although I just got a little information from my finding. It had made me wondered during the preparation time. Was it a futuristic or natural typical city? I was so anxious at that time. Then I decided to not expect much since sometimes too much expecting could bring disenchantment. Alhamdulillah, my worry didn't get too long after knowing that there are few Indonesians who live there. One of them is our senpai or senior. Yesh.... at least, we wouldn't get lost hihihi.

Three historical idols
The most popular statue in Kochi

Where is Kochi?

Kochi is one of a prefecture in Japan (The prefecture is the same as a province). It is located in the eastern part of Shikoku island (Remember that Japan is an archipelago country...). Kochi is really close to the biggest ocean. In the east of Kochi, we can see the Pacific Ocean. For the detail, you can see through the map picture below.

source: Wikipedia :)

Reaching Kochi

There are many options to go to Kochi. There can be reached by airplane, train, car, bus, or even ship. My exchange team actually was suggested by our lecture to choose a direct flight from Yogyakarta to Kochi. But by considering the cost, we decided to use a plane & bus mode. It could save much money than the full flight (you know how the student's financial condition is, right? hehe). Here I'll share the calculation of our mode. (p.s: If you want to follow our track, make sure that you are in good condition since the trip was so exhausting)

• Yogyakarta- Jakarta roundtrip by train = Rp 500.000 (Believe me, you can save more by using economy class)
• Jakarta-Osaka (Kansai Int'I Airport) roundtrip by plane = Rp 5.100.000 (At that time, we booked the ticket three months before the flight date, Alhamdulillah we also got a promo)
• Kansai Int'l Airport-Osaka Station roundtrip by train + Osaka Station-Kobe Station roundtrip by train = around or less than 5000 yen (We used a smart card or e-money called ICOCA card. Before using the train, we must top up the money. Unfortunately, I don't know certainly total of our trip)
• Kobe Sannomiya Terminal- Kochi Harimayabashi Terminal roundtrip by bus = 10.190 yen (the faculty booked the ticket)

Inside the aircraft
During the flight, I watched Aruna dan Lidahnya (my favorite Indonesian movie)

Cathay Pacifics's meals (during the flight from Jakarta - Hongkong)

If you want to use the train, you just need to tap your card above the machine.

Accommodation and Transportation

Actually, before reaching Kochi, we got a memorable experience related to this part. Maybe I will share it in another post. In Kochi, I stayed in a Sakura Dormitory. It is one of the campus facilities provided to foreign students. It is located near the campus. We lived in a spacious room with full facilities. Some of my friends said that it looks like the idol's training room. Behind this room, we could see a beautiful view of the mountain. Aaahhh... I did really miss it...

Talking about transportation during the stay, Alhamdulillah... the faculty provided cars and buses for the external agenda.  They also accompanied us to the market, mall, and restaurant. One day after the faculty agenda, we decided to sightsee the city by ourselves. Our senpai guided us to use the public bus. Using the bus is quite affordable. You know, here in Japan, the public bus has a time schedule and it is really punctual. It is the same as the train schedule.  So, if you want to use this transportation, make sure that you have been on the bus stop before the time or you'll be left.

Japanese really love riding the bike. Everywhere you can see from the youth to the elderly, in the village to the city, everyone loves cycling. They use their bikes trough kilometers to kilometers. That's why Japanese citizens look healthy and energetic. Actually, our senpai offered their bikes to us, but as lazy students, we didn't use it.

you could see people cycling everywhere

Landscape and Tourism object

Geographically, Kochi has a much natural landscape such as mountain, sea, river, cave, waterfall, beach, etc. It's good news for those who love nature so much. For those who want to see the hi-tech city, don't worry... Although it sounds like a rural area, Kochi has been built in advance. We could get the atmosphere of the Hi-tech city here. We could find highways, high buildings, tunnels, advance public facilities and many more. This place is really perfect and sounds amazing right?

This is one of my favorite places during the visit. I really hope there was a similar place in Indonesia.  

For tourism, Kochi offers various attractions. From natural tourism object to shopping market. Also, many festivals are offered. You can also find the information by following their tourism Instagram @visitkochijapan. Alhamdulillah, on my trip I could visit some beautiful places (I'll share it soon hehe...)

The Society

As a rich country, commonly we will meet the individual atmosphere of society. When the first time arrived in Japan, I found that the people had their world and didn't pay more attention to another person. They don't like to meddle other's businesses. Hmmm... it might be good... But that's not a certainty. 

I met respectful and kindhearted people in Japan. We met a very responsible lecturer and buddies who care for us. We also welcomed by the students, communities, and hospital staff. We got our visit guided by them. We also joined a Barbeque session in the community. I felt that I found the warmth was similar to my hometown. 

during the barbeque session with the community

Talking about society, Japan is facing the aging population, means that the number of elderly is more than the number of birth. That's why we will often see the elderly everywhere. Our sensei said that now this issue is becoming a problem in every aspect of life, including healthcare. 

I think the big difference side of this society compared to Indonesian is the humor. They didn't make a joke as usual as us. They prefer to fill their lives with hard work. It has determined their thought. I think that's why this society is so discipline, mindfull and hard working. And It's really good to be reflected and applied. Hmmm... I hope I can do that in my life...

I realized that the time to stay in Kochi wasn't enough. I really need more time to enjoy this whole place. To show more gratitude that Allah has shown. To reach the huge and amazing Allah's earth.  I wish I will be able to visit Kochi again, of course... with you :)