I've saved up and planned for more than a year and finally made it to Japan; after about a 18 hour long and grueling plane flight with two layovers. Our group of nearly 30 arrived 22:00 Japan time, nearly at the breaking point of physical and mental exhaustion. One can only play a Tetris rip-off, and be beaten by the cruel chess computer for so long.
   One we arrived at Asahiplaza Capsule Hotel in Osaka we knew that it was all worth it. Everyone's plans were to see if the manga store was open (it wasn't), find food without getting lost (I went with a group of guys and shared Takoyaki. The first two days in the city I was disorientated and clung to those who knew their way around), and revive by taking a bath (it was a public bath).
   The first morning we gathered together in the lounge and had toast juice and hardboiled egg; headed out to the coach bus, where we would be spending a quarter of our trip, to our first destination: Arashiyama. Most of the group chose not to go the kimono factory but up the mountain to see monkeys. (I wish I could have gone to the kimono factory as well.) The second part now seems as it were a completely separate day, (I almost forgot about it perhaps because I don't know where my pictures for it went.) Anyways after a nice hike up hilly area covered in tourist shops, we when through Kiyomizu Temple. One thing of interest were these monk instruments made of solid iron one weighing in around 200lbs and the other much more than any human could seem to lift, but that was it's purpose. Heading back my brother and I broke off from the main group because a Totoro caught out eyes. We found a Studio Ghibli shop which was an alright compromise for not being able to visit their museum.
   The second day it was up to us to decide what to do in Osaka, I truly thought I would just hang out and do nothing special; however this was the best day of the trip. I switched from group to group, till finding those who wanted to go to the aquarium, my brother did as well, but he had his own day split up from each group he was originally in. Shannon guided our group of fourteen to the subway using her Japanese language expertise and experience riding them last year. Once we make it to the subway we continued to follow her closely fearful of getting lost far from the hotel. Out from the subway we could see our first destination, the worlds largest ferris wheel, (correction, it was about 12 years ago) and on the way we could also see the aquarium. After a stunning 17 minute ride on the slowly rotating ferris wheel we stopped to take more pictures of a ninja mannequin. Little did we notice that a real ninja had snuck up on us drawing his sword. (seriously! Ok, he came to show us the Naruto Funhouse of Illusion! Nifty title I made up.) While the others went through the fun house I waited outside for the group who chose to wait for a particular ferris gondola. After hanging out in the mall we gathered together to for the Aquarium, it was amazing, no photo could do it justice even video couldn't capture the magnificence of the creatures within. That's why I wish I was able to find my brother earlier in the day. After eating we couldn't find John again but everyone was ready to head back and could care less about leaving him, because had disgusted everyone on the trip with his horrible habits and his attempts for attention. I flipped a coin within my hearth and decided that even though no one liked John I couldn't leave someone who kept count of the whole group through our whole trek, because of his own fear of getting horribly lost. So, I found my way back with him and got a free subway ride out of it, I owe my success to the subway map with a quick mark on it and every other map I was able to find on the way.
   Wait, that's not it! When I got back I had time for another excursion, and since I still couldn't find my brother I decided that since Nakita wanted to go to the ferris wheel I could take her there. Shannon and Sara also wanted to go as well as visit the department stores so we took the subway north under Shannon's guidance, we didn't find our destination as quickly and easily as before, but I do enjoy wandering aimlessly. Finally we made it to the correct exit to find enormous buildings and a bustling crowd more like I suppose Tokyo would be like. Department stores in Japan are huge! With a whole floor dedicated to one group of products it's like stacking full stores together in one spot, can't find what you need, well just go up another escalator. Unfortunately the prices were pretty normal, if not more costly, so after seeing we took the subway to the ferris wheel again. On the subway back to the hotel we noticed a peak in activity, all the teenagers of the area came on the bus with us and we knew that they were headed to the mall by our hotel to hang out and party. I also went to the mall that night and finally ran into my brother, caught up bought some used videos and went to the 100 yen shop. When we arrived back at the hotel my brother found that the group that had left him behind had just found their way back. It's too bad they left behind someone that could have led them back 5 hours sooner.
   The third morning we had to pack and leave to our next destination, I went on a walk with Dylan and came back with no time to spare, thankfully I didn't leave anything behind. After much travel we arrived at Himeji Castle, I took the tour with half the group, it was awesome! That evening we were dropped off at three different locations to meet our hosts, and my brother joined a group for a baseball game which he greatly enjoyed. The remainder of our group was staying in the upper house of Ark foreign language school with Naromi's mother. There I hung out, played ping pong. We had a fabulous Yakisoba dinner with a large assortment of side dishes and probably the largest group dinner the whole trip. Our hosts had a surprise in store for us, fireworks at the beach. It was an enjoyable car ride talking with Shannon. Then I spent the night at my host Toshiko house, Naromi's sister. That morning I found out that my host our guides and Matt's family were all Jehovah's Witnesses because of a post card I saw laying around. It was exciting to know that I was with a group who share the same ideals as me.
   I had a hard time placing this day correctly in my memory, but it was the day we went to a really nice park, with a folk village and the coolest playground ever! Everyone's inner kid came out, we broke so many rules and bruised ourselves pretty good that day. Nakita's camera broke, I have it here in pieces but can't fix the len's. The most notable feature of this playground was the conveyor roller slides which were really bumpy, however if one sat on their shoes the ride was much smoother and faster. At our next stop we had takoyaki for lunch, about 10% of the group could eat the whole portion, and more than 50% didn't even attempt eating it. I felt bad about all of the food being thrown away and tried to eat more than one portion of the acquired taste takoyaki. I actually wasn't the taste that kept me from eating too much, but the gooey chunky texture. Since I was sore I took a cable car to the top of Onomichi Observation platform with Matt's family.
   Today was the only rainy day of the trip, our host handed us umbrella's and said goodbye knowing they would never see us again. Our bus was taking us to Hiroshima, but not before touring Miyajima island. After the ferry ride over most of us just shopped, myself included, and belong we were all back at the ferry station hanging out, because of the rain not many adventured to the sites on this island. I was planning on not using an umbrella that day but since I had valuables I didn't want wet I decided it would be best not to get soaked like Nakita who also liked the rain. Tonight we would spend our first day at a Youth Retreat, which is like a boarding house for children or something like summer camp... the only problem about youth retreats is the retreat part, which means no city nearby for food and drink, no internet, and half of our group hated the food. Later that night we played in the coolest gym I've ever seen. It had basketball hoops, ropes, tire swings, wall climbing courses and a net thing up top.
   In the morning we played cards waiting for our chance to go into the city. After Shougun Peasant, Rat Screw and learning how to (play) Spit, it was our time to be dropped off in Hiroshima. Our first destination was the Atomic Peace Museum which was rather intense bringing down everyone's spirits. So we just sat reflecting in the lobby, too depressed to decide upon our next stop. I brought out my netbook and was actually able to find free WiFi so we all shared the battery life while regaining our moral. I broke off from the group I can with and didn't have too much luck with the group I moved onto, John suggested he lead us around since he's been here before, and of course no one cared to follow. So we just wandered the park to the river, every time I broke off they followed me until we met up by a noodle place, John wanted American food so we ate there while he went his own direction. After a delicious meal we went to a video arcade, which was five floors high and full of awesome games. The first floor was filled with crane game which seemed rigged; however all the people who played won something: digital camera, neko, and lama plushie. Plus there was a taiko drum game everyone loved. Second floor had simulation games, third was a pachinko parlor and the forth most of the other game arcades. We played a rip off guitar hero game, the controllers sucked but at least the first round was a practice session. Then I found my favorite game, a DJ keyboard game like guitar hero, and it also allowed for three songs. The fifth floor was a costume photo booth floor for girls. After dinner at the youth retreat Nakita and I decided to go on a walk in the mountains, meeting up with various groups along the way, including Harguth and Chance. At the billboard Matt's family suggested going to the gondola but since I felt it was a really short walk I decided to take the other trail on the map with Nakita. Over all we spent nearly three hours talking and relating to one another. I took the lead and ran into many spider webs. I should have waved a stick to clear the trail. Fork after fork we went heading further and further up in the twilight that remained. We went far beyond the landmark, a metal power tower, and a little further past a gated area, by this time it was too dark for my camera to take pictures without flash but still enough light to see well. Finally I gave up finding the trails end and decided to take Nakita's advice on turning back, thus we made it back in perfect time for the end of the kids campfire time. Oh yeah, the last thirty minutes of the hike we needed a camera screen to see the trail in front of us, and besides the spiderwebs, fear of animals, feelings of getting lost and Nakita's stumbling, after all she had flip flops on ^_^, we made it back in good spirits. The music of the campfire drew us in, nearly forty cute little kids dancing around the fire made for an even better trip. Charlotte was dancing with the kids and after they finished we took pictures, the kids just loved just seeing Americans. It was surely a great day and Nakita and I we no longer knew each other only because of my friend her Ex.
   The next day we were the first group to be dropped off in Hiroshima, so, we surfed the net, and waited for Shannon who was in a later group who would show us to a karaoke booth. It was so fun, There were two songs I couldn't sing (Barbie girl and an inuyasha one) one that I only knew the engrish too and one that we all seemed to bomb... Good Riddance, I think it was the quick pace of the starting line that just threw us. All the other songs were great however! Especially Bohemian Rhapsody and Jason Mraz's I'm yours. After that I had two meals the second at McDonald's with a separate group and then we all met up at the Arcade and played for the remainder. After another dinner at the youth retreat, which by this point fourteen or more trays were left un-ate, Nakita and I wanted to go on another walk and brought Shannon and Nana. We just when to the gondola and hung out there for a little while.
   The next day after cleaning and precisely folding our bedding we moved to a new youth retreat and once settled in we played a surveying game. We were split into about eight groups and handed a map with locations to codes we needed to collect within a set amount of time. I was randomly matched up with Nakita and deemed the team captain of a very diverse group. At the start I sent Tyler and Tanner out to find what the could in the hilly parts with little direction they found three. The main strategy it to getting all of our point was keeping the group moving in the right direction while collecting dead end points. Our group was very slow, but only because we had three little kids. Over all I was pleased with how I handled directing our group and how I kept everyone satisfied, those who wanted to grab more points, or rest. We timed it close but made it back in time and placed second. First place won the right to the firework distribution at the fire that night. Before the fireworks we sung a song, twinkle twinkle little star was the only one we all knew to do. Then we did group performances which were hilarious, my brother got some wanting to do a fire walk which was not approved, I ended up doing on later that night, but since the dirt was hard I was putting more pressure on the coals that with sand and a coal stuck to my foot long enough to give me an awful blister, but thankfully it didn't ruin my trip or get infected.
   We spent the next day in Matsuyama and I wasn't able to find free WiFi. Some went to the traditional public baths and the whole day we just wandered the city. After lunch and more wandering we headed to Matsuyama castle but were only able to stay long enough to make it to the top of the castle courtyard. Once we got back the the youth retreat we played games in the courtyard and well, the usual until it was time to go to bed.
   The second to last day we spent our time at traditional shops, saw a samurai house and most things were closed since it was Monday. After the long drive back to Kyoto we made it to our last youth retreat on the top of a mountain next to a dam. We hung out once again and drank the vending machines there dry of CC Lemon. Oh at this place the washrooms had a second faucet for tea, seriously.
   Out last day was spent in Nara park which have various temples, gardens, gates, statues, shops and museums. Plus it was filled with tons of domesticated deer that we could feed crackers to. It was a very good day and it was sad to think that it was our last real day in Japan, although some were staying longer most of us had no money left, and work to go back to. Plus Nate had punishment to go back to.
   After waiting forever for our first flight we arrive in Narita for the longest of our flights, it's there that one of the students was handed the passport he had lost and spent most of his trip worrying about, plus the money and time he spent buying a new one. Pepe was definitely razzed a lot about losing his passport, more than John and his Hentai collection. Well, that concludes a summary of my trip with the my old school teacher his Japanese students, friends, our guides, and Matt's family. It was certainly a once in a lifetime experience I'm sure never to forget, and so many friends I hope to keep in contact with as best as possible.

   Thanks for reading and if you get a chance check out my gallery for some of my favorite photos taken on the trip.