On Friday morning, we boarded the bullet train out to Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture.

The town is known for its beauty in the summer time, with lush greenery, a luxury resort, and a cute downtown area with boutique shops and restaurants. Some come during the winter to enjoy the slopes and winter sports!

Walks through the woods – can't get that in Tokyo! #karuizawa #porters #portersinjapan #mpsintermission #missporters #snowyday

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 12, 2017 at 9:04pm PST

We were lucky enough to spend the late morning and early afternoon touring the town and eating at a local cafe.

Here we are in Karuizawa – Chrome, Audrey, Howie, and Jillian enjoying lunch at Eloise's Cafe! #porters #missporters #mpsintermission #portersinjapan #karuizawa

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 12, 2017 at 7:27pm PST

More photos from lunch with Charlotte, Georgie, Charlotte, Annie, Kenzie, and Kelly! #missporters #mpsintermission #portersinjapan #porters #karuizawa

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 12, 2017 at 7:28pm PST

We also had an interview with a local news reporter! We talked about the history of our accommodations – Harmony House was founded by a female Christian missionary interested in promoting the development of musical and artistic talents in young people – and our experiences so far in Japan.

Our tour included St. Paul’s Cathedral and the main drag in town.

At St. Paul's in Karuizawa! #missporters #mpsintermission #portersinjapan #porters #karuizawa

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 12, 2017 at 8:04pm PST

We did some shopping and then headed to ISAK, the International School of Asia, Karuizawa. Come back to hear more about it!

 

 

Our schedule at the Kichijo School includes many classes and opportunities to find out more about school life.

We had our first Japanese lessons at Kichijo yesterday! #missporters #porters #mpsintermission #portersinjapan #japaneselesson

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 11, 2017 at 11:53am PST

Luckily for us, those classes include Japanese lessons! The first couple of days were filled with vocabulary and simple phrases that we need (and have needed!) on a daily basis. Then, we moved on to looking at the Japanese characters – katakana and hiragana (too many kanji for 2 weeks of classes!) – and spelling out our names.

Jillian folding her colored paper according to "origami" instructions. . . #porters #missporters #mpsintermission #portersinjapan #origami

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 12, 2017 at 6:00am PST

English class included some fun activities today, including origami! Here's Maddy starting her project. #portersinjapan #mpsintermission #missporters #porters #origami

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 12, 2017 at 5:58am PST

We’ve also been to a few English and English Conversation classes! The students are studying English at all levels and our activities with them have included talking about vacations and being a tourist to folding origami and playing games.

Lunch time with Lily, Jillian, and Chrome! Some of our host sisters purchased hot meals in the cafeteria (curry udon! fried chicken! so much more!) while others brought bento (a packed lunch) from home. #portersinjapan #mpsintermission #missporters #porters #lunchtime

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 12, 2017 at 1:30pm PST

A little free time after eating meant Georgie could flex her card shark skills! #portersinjapan #mpsintermission #missporters #porters #funandgames

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 12, 2017 at 1:32pm PST

Our host sisters have been so kind and accommodating – helping us decipher the dining hall, playing games during down time, and staying after school so that we could check out the club activities offered in the afternoon.

The first afternoon of club activities could not have come soon enough! Soccer, drama, and kendo were offered today. Here's Mariana in her element – SOCCER! #porters #missporters #mpsintermission #portersinjapan #soccer

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 12, 2017 at 1:33am PST

Emily, Kenzie, Chrome, Annie, and Charlotte B at kendo this afternoon! #missporters #porters #mpsintermission #portersinjapan #kendo

A photo posted by MPSIIMJapan (@mpsiimjapan) on Jan 12, 2017 at 2:18am PST

We’re excited to add calligraphy, flower arranging, and other fun activities to our afternoons next week and look forward to more conversations with the English classes, too!