KCP: A Look Back (Part 3) Lodging and Shopping by Jessica Funtanilla
In this 4-part series, former KCP student Jessica Funtanilla looks back at her time at KCP. In this third installment, Jessica talks about lodging, shopping, and exploring the city.
Lodging
Let’s talk about where you’ll live. You will live in either a dorm or with a host family. Host families are a great way to really learn what life is like in Japan. Your host parents are there to help you and teach you their culture and language–don’t be afraid of this option.
KCP dorm room. | KCP Flickr
I chose to live in a dorm because I enjoy life in the dormitory, but plenty of my friends did a host stay and loved it. I lived in the Ikebukuro dormitory, and it was great. Some dorms have a meal plan; mine didn’t. Instead, I had my own kitchen, which allowed me to experiment with Japanese cooking and improvise some meals from home. My room was small, but I didn’t spend much time there for the most part, so it wasn’t a bother. Since KCP teaches only in Japanese, it’s best to spend your day thinking in Japanese, too. So, get out of your room, go grocery shopping, try different foods, do some walking. Get out and explore; there’s tons to see and do. I saw Harry Potter in Japanese when it came out in theaters—even ordering a ticket in Japanese is different, but the experience is completely worth it.
Shopping
Near where I lived was an area called Sunshine City. It was only about a 15-minute walk from my dorm, and it had some really great shops. You could get there from the street and explore the shops outside, or you could use the underground station below to make your way there. I chose the underground to get there, as it was cold in winter semester.
Shrine. | KCP Flickr
Still, there are more than enough shops to visit and restaurants to try out. Even if all you do is window shop, it’s fun to see what the latest trends are. The Ikebukuro station is one of the bigger stations in Tokyo, and it leads to other metro lines. If the big city isn’t your thing, hop on a train and find somewhere more comfortable. Most cities have something interesting to explore like a shrine or temple, or even a local specialty. In a week or two, you’ll know your neighborhood and your friends’ as well as you do your hometown. KCP’s handbook comes with a map of the metro station, so if you get confused, you can always refer to it. It’s easier to figure out once you use it every day during the first week.
Stay tuned for more valuable tips from Jessica! Here’s Part 1 and Part 2.
