Tokyo University
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Camping at the foot of Mt. Fuji
By YiPin Wu, (University of Tokyo, Japan) We went to a camping place, called Fumotoppara Campground, which is near Mt.Fuji. I met up with two of my friends at Yokohama and we drove to there. On the way, we stopped at a big supermarket to stock up on everything we needed (ingredients, drinks, firewood…). Driving another 20 minutes, we arrived at the campground. Fumotoppara is famous for its view of Mt. Fuji, but we were just a bit unlucky:) the weather that day was pretty gloomy and we could barely see it. Setting up camp was straightforward enough, but the campfire was a whole other story. The wood we picked…
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Tokyo Restaurant Recs
By YiPin Wu, (University of Tokyo, Japan) As a foodie, ofc I’m not missing out the food in Japan. Sushi, Curry, Ramen… These are the spots I kept going back to, and the ones I’ll miss when I leave. 202 Curry (202カレー道) This is probably the place I’ve visited most since being in Tokyo:) This is probably the place I’ve visited most since arriving in Tokyo. It’s “soup curry”, a style of curry that originated in Hokkaido, thinner and more broth-like than regular curry, but packed with spice and flavour. I’ve tried quite a few soup curry places across Japan, including up in Hokkaido itself, and this one is still…
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Hiking Mt. Ashigara: from Tokyo
By YiPin Wu, (University of Tokyo, Japan) If you’re looking for a day trip from Tokyo that actually gets you into nature, Mt. Ashigara is one to put on the list. It’s about two hours from central Tokyo, the hike is doable, and on a clear day you get one of the best views of Mt. Fuji you can find. Getting There Take the Odakyu Line to Odawara Station, then head to the east exit to catch a bus to the Kintoki-tozanguchi stop, which is about 50 minutes on the bus. One thing to note: buses aren’t that frequent, so check the timetable before you go. The Trail Mt. Kintoki sits at…
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Setting Up in Japan: Shopping Guide
By YiPin Wu, University of Tokyo, Japan Moving to Tokyo? Here are the shops you actually need to know about. Daiso (ダイソー) — Your First Stop Seriously, go here first. Daiso is Japan’s famous 100-yen shop, and it’s so much better than it sounds. Plates, bowls, chopsticks, hangers, storage boxes, cleaning supplies, stationery, kitchen stuff, all ¥110 (about 70p) each. Whatever you think you need, just check Daiso first. I managed to tick off most of my moving-in list for under ¥3,000 (roughly £15). I’d recommend doing a big Daiso sweep in your first few days before spending money anywhere else. Nitori (ニトリ) — Japan’s IKEA For the bigger stuff,…
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Life at UTokyo: A Guide to Komaba Campus
by YiPin Wu, University of Tokyo, Japan If you’ve ever wanted to study at the University of Tokyo, let me take you on a tour of Komaba Campus — the main hub for exchange students. Nestled just two stops from Shibuya on the Keio Inokashira Line (about 20 minutes on foot), it’s also within walking distance of Nakameguro — known for its cafés and cherry blossoms — and Shimokitazawa, famous for vintage shops and curry. It’s hard to believe this calm, tree-lined campus exists in the heart of central Tokyo. Campus Life In my first semester, I had six classes a week — the minimum recommended. One thing that really…
