When I landed at Haneda Airport, I was immediately faced with several challenges–the immigration lines were Disneyland-level long, and I had only three hours to get to my dorm before I would be locked out for the night. I ended up ditching the train system and overpaying for a taxi, but hey, I made it to my dorm with a good twenty minutes to spare! My first night in Tokyo did not go as I imagined it would, but looking back on it now, I think it embodies the rollercoaster-like energy that my experience abroad was full of.

As silly as it sounds, I began learning Japanese in my freshman year of high school because of my love for Studio Ghibli films. With the encouragement of my senseis, my childhood infatuation quickly became my source of motivation to study abroad in Japan.

One of my favorite Studio Ghibli films, Spirited Away, has definitely grown to be more than an entertaining watch for me. The story follows Chihiro, a young girl who crosses a mysterious tunnel and is suddenly thrust into the world of spirits and witches. Similar to Chihiro, studying abroad in Japan thrust me into a whole new world, and although it was exciting, it also made me incredibly anxious.

 

Immersing myself in Japan’s culture was actually a lot like Chihiro’s experience in stepping into the spirit world–there were several rules and norms that she and I slowly learned to respect and follow in our daily lives. Gradually, I found myself standing on the left side of escalators to let people pass me on the right. I learned how to separate my trash into combustible, incombustible, recyclable, and compostable. I memorized train lines like my life depended on it. After about a month into my program, I was practically living like a Japanese native.

It wasn’t until my first visit to an onsen (traditional Japanese hot spring), however, that I felt like I had completely transitioned from a mere admirer of Japanese culture to a true participant. The onsen I went to, Sekizenkan, is actually a main source of inspiration for the famous bathhouse in Spirited Away, and it was such a surreal experience to see it in person. I will never forget the moment my friends and I walked up to see the iconic red bridge–it felt like Chihiro could pop out at any moment to greet us. My friends and I all immediately agreed that just seeing the building was worth the stressful three-hour commute from the city.

The three days and two nights that we spent at the ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) were truly straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie, and it is hands down the most meaningful experience I had while abroad. In our Japanese-style tatami rooms, we received yukatas, lightweight cotton robes that most Japanese people wear when visiting ryokans. I loved learning how to properly wear a yukata, as the way you wear one is very telling of your character. In a small cafeteria-like hall downstairs, my friends and I enjoyed a light but nourishing meal that was absolutely delicious. After dinner, we finally set out to begin our first onsen experience.

The process of entering the bath is one that requires you to be completely vulnerable, but will leave you feeling renewed. Before entering, you need to thoroughly wash your body. In a warm, steamy room, you sit on a low stool in front of a mirror and take as long as you need to wash your body with water and soap. It was definitely a bit of a culture shock to be completely naked with other women in the room, but you’ll also quickly realize that no one is judging or even looking at you. After about a minute of washing myself on the stool, I completely forgot my insecurities and embraced the shared warmth.

After washing yourself, you are then able to head to the main bath, which is typically only a few steps away from where you rinsed off. Some ryokans offer both indoor and outdoor springs, which was the case for Sekizenkan. My friends and I first went to the outdoor bath, as we noticed that no one else was there, and it was wonderful. Not only did it blow my mind that the hot water we soaked in was the complete work of nature, but the snowy ground and trees around us were a beautiful sight to see. My friends and I sat in the water in comfortable silence for half an hour before retreating to the changing room. Although we didn’t speak a word to each other as we changed, I felt like there was a silent agreement among us that this was probably the most healing thing we’ve ever experienced.

 

Leaving the ryokan, I gained a new sense of confidence in myself and felt much closer to fully appreciating Japanese culture. I was proud of myself for stepping outside of my comfort zone, and I made a mental note to challenge myself more often.

If I could talk to my past self, I would want to thank her for being obsessed with Studio Ghibli, as if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be the traveler and scholar that I am today. During my time in Japan, there were definitely many ups and downs, but within those moments, there were new lessons for me to learn. Although my study abroad experience wasn’t as fantastical as Chihiro’s adventure in the spirit world, the people I met, the memories I made, and the cultural awareness I gained made it just as magical. As I transition back to life at Chapman, I look forward to how I can use what I learned abroad in my future endeavors!

 

 

Caylen Maria Corpuz

Major: Public Relations, Advertising, and Entertainment Marketing

Spring 2025 | Tokyo, Japan

Temple University – Japan