Japan: Isabella Hill (Daily Life in Hiroshima)

Program: UW Introduction to Biological Sciences Research in Japan, Summer

We’re quick to take everyday comforts for granted, and hoo boy, the everyday comforts here are everywhere. Now, I’m sure many of you have heard of the magical konbini convenience stores in Japan, filled with snacks you’ve been dying to try and ways to customize your drink every which way. I’m here to tell you the hype is VALID! To the people who get to experience the truest of convenience stores, I’m sure the Americans foaming at the mouth for all the fun beverage choices must look crazy! But must I say it again, it is so easy to take it for granted.

Trust me, I had frequented the closest 7-Eleven COUNTLESS times, and I hold it near and dear in my heart. But I must share the ultimate experience that became part of my everyday routine (as embarrassing as it was to tell my parents that this was the hangout spot): the giant grocery store, YouMe.

Yes. It was called YouMe. I suspect it was because everyone, including you and me, was there. It had everything we could need. Two floors with a never-ending grocery store, two bakeries, a Baskin-Robbins at the end of the delicious food court, clothing, everyday supplies, books, and even an arcade. When I say everything, I mean everything.

My peers and I went to YouMe every. Single. Day. Most days, more than once. Dare I say we had a slight codependent relationship with this store. THIS was our spot to decompress after a strenuous (but rewarding) day of research. As silly as it sounds, this is the spot I will miss the most.

There are many small, yet luxurious experiences that I will certainly miss. Perhaps another favorite would include the heated toilet seat in my dorm. This was most definitely the best feature of my dorm. And yes, fine. I’ll admit I was a tad… okay, no- majorly skeptical of the bidets. I disguised my concerns under the guise of water waste, but that clearly wouldn’t hold against the bidet in every single toilet in the region! Now, I won’t get too into details, but if every single public toilet was miles cleaner than the ones I found back home, clearly the sewage infrastructure here knows what they’re doing.

Don’t judge me though, I can feel it from miles away already!! I know the things I’ve described as being incorporated into my routine feel a bit silly, but it’s very much so the small things that matter. I PROMISE though, I have taken so much more away from this program than the heavenly grocery store and washroom observations. I’ll be saving my details about food for another post 😉but the choices here were delectable and as an adventurous picky eater, I constantly found myself in shock at the endless tasty choices and wonderful displays. My everyday experience included looking forward to the next new dish to try, something that is not so easy to get back home.

Now, while we did spend quite a bit of time on campus, we still frequented the more populous area, Saijo. A suica card tap and a bus ride away, we found tons to do in this place! More bakeries, great thrifts, wagyu and… a bigger YouMe. Our love for that place runs deep clearly. Anyways, this part of the city was a great place to hang out and explore away from campus. My favorite part about it was that it wasn’t too touristy. There are certainly benefits that come with a touristy area such as more English signs and… well, that’s all you really need. But being in a smaller, yet still grand enough place to explore gave us a sense of freedom and normalcy. It felt like exploring the city of Madison outside of campus. Shopping, thrifting, and wonderful sights. This naturally became a part of our (almost) everyday life because it hit so close to home.

The main takeaway of this post is not me praising the chain grocery store/mall or the comfortable amenities of bathrooms. This is me reflecting on the bittersweetness of these convenient things that almost feel like home, with just a twinge of novelty. Yes!! When you travel to new cities, absolutely explore anything and everything that is brand new. But you might be surprised just how much the familiar things are comforting.