I cannot find the words to express how grateful I am to the Kawamura Fellowship Program for giving me the opportunity to visit Japan. But I’m going to try anyway.

The Kawamura program allowed me to see facets of Japan that most tourists will never experience. From behind the scenes looks at major Japanese companies to amazing dinners at sushi bars off the beaten path, from home stays to the famous Akasaka Prince Hotel, I received a diverse tour of Japan. Although the major events of the trip will stay fresh in my mind (and in Sumio’s DVD), some of my favorite memories of Japan come from unexpected places.

I first saw him perched above the toilet in a karaoke bar. Shining eyes, rapturous face, and rotund belly – I had to know his name. After asking around the bar a bit, I found out: it was Tanoki, a sort of good-luck statue that is equal parts raccoon, dog, and hilarity. The rest of my month was spent with a constant eye out for a Tanoki purchasing venue – sadly, they are difficult to find. But in the end, my Nagoya host family came through for me and located a Tanoki shop. I now have a delightful little porcelain reminder of that first night in the karaoke bar.

I have much more to thank the Taniguchi family for than helping me locate a Tanoki small enough to fit in my carry-on luggage. The Taniguchis welcomed me into their home with kindness and generosity. They went to great lengths to show me around Nagoya. Despite hitting the tail end of the rainy season, I really enjoyed our trip to the mountain town of Gujo. The mist lifting off the lush green mountainsides and the rain tapping on the tiled roofs of the houses brought to reality the image of mystic Japan that I had previously only seen in postcards and movies. Surprisingly enough, all the other tourists in Gujo came not for the breathtaking scenery, but the plastic food replicas for which Gujo is semi-famous. Not about to let this unexpected traditional art form escape unexplored, we visited a food-replica making shop where I dutifully dipped my plastic shrimp in some yellow wax to simulate tempura.