First of all, I want to introduce myself. I am “typicaltomato”. Now I am an exchange student at Kumamoto University. Turn back to a year before I am here, I had to make many decisions for example where I would spend my time of exchange student, How the weather is, What are fascinating places around place I would go. Finally, I decided to come to Kumamoto, a prefecture in Kyushu.

Why did I choose here? There are three factors that led me here. First, my Japanese friends in Fukuoka we’ve met in other previous exchange program. That time I knew a lot about Japan and Japanese culture from them. Second is Kumamon, my bear friend who always tells me about Kumamoto and other prefectures in Kyushu and Third is JR Kyushu train, especially limited train designed by Mitooka Eji.

“Dazaifu’s Education Omamori (Amulet)”
It’s kind of belief that make me relief.

As soon as I arrived Kumamoto after I finished my dormitory orientation and residence registration process, I went to meet my friends in Fukuoka. That time I visited many places, suchas, Tochoji Temple, where enormous wooden Buddha image is placed, Fukuoka Tower, JR Hakata station garden, where I enjoyed mini train and park on the top floor, etc.

This is the picture of おまもり – Omamori or amulet from Dazaifu. My friend told me that Dazaifu is well-known about education wishes. Of course, I would spend my time studying in Kumamoto for 6 months why I didn’t want to go so I went to Dazaifu (by sightseeing train ‘Tabito’). Pray for my education and bought an omamori. I think it help me a lot so far. whenever I looked for research articles or any important information, I will put it on my computer. Soon I found what I want. Don’t laugh at me :) It’s kind of my belief to make me relief.

“After I read information about Kumamon from a magazine in my country and knew how difficult he was created and how hard he work as an officer to promote Kumamoto. Suddenly, I become his friend (No matter he want me to be his friend or not)”

First week in Kumamoto, first question that I asked my tutor (it is University system that every exchange student will be provided a tutor for helping about your study and living). “Where is Kumamon Square? And How can I get there?”. After I checked Kumamon’s schedule (from https://kumamon-official.jp/), I hurried to meet him (or her? or whatever). He made my day. It was my happy time seeing many people who fond of Kumamon. He was absolutely talented, kawaii(cute) and funny.
I stood among children and hesitated that whether I should walk into the crowd and touch him. Finally, I did! It was my all-time dream to meet kumamon in the flesh and HE HUGGED ME!! It was very very “Kumamoto Surprise!” for me.

Another my pride about kumamon is I am “MONbassador”. Kumamon + Ambassador
“Be a “MONbassador” to make Kumamoto’s attraction popular in Asia!” I found this announcement at International student room in my university. Immediately, I filled an application and applied.

These are just only beginning of my happiness in Kyushu.

Pretending to be Kumamoto castle guard.
Mizuakari festival – Kumamoto is a city of ground water. This event holds every year as a remembrance.

“Seriously? Naked among friends?”

“Ofuro ni hairu” means take a bath.
This was my first time taking a bath in onsen happened at Aso Training center. It was my university trip.
At first, I felt a bit strange and it was hard time for me to be naked among my roommates and other exchange students who were my friends but soon I thought “it’s common nothing to worry just another thing I have to get through. Life has much more trouble things than this. This is just a little thing”

My feeling, it’s quite hot first moment that I dipped my body in the water but not so long after I used to it. It became comfortable and finally relaxed. Whatever tiredness you had carried before took a bath seemed to be put down while I was bathing.

“Difficulties make you more endurable, the more difficulties you passed the more relief you would get in the future. Like bathing in onsen, soon when you adapt to it. you will relax. Relax in order to be ready for the coming difficulties”

View from the top of mountain made yourself smaller as well as your troubles and nature make you realize that “Nature is nature and it’s bigger than you always”

“Nature always gives you harder and harder test to make you grow”

I couldn’t take the ropeway because of smoking crater. Then Two weeks after, it erupted but nothing was dangerous because the area had been prohibited to enter many months before an incident happened.

JR Kyushu trains taught me a lesson ‘Destination is not the only important thing in journey but moment on the way going also”

Last important thing that brought me here is “JR Kyushu Train” – There is a book in Thailand about Trains around Kyushu which designed by Mitooka Eji. My goal before came to Kumamoto was “Take all limited express and special trains in Kyushu within 6 months” because each bogie in every limited express, shinkansen ans special trains has fascinating details. I can enjoy both inside and outside trains. That made my journey be more valuable and priceless.

Every long weekend in Kumamoto, I usually plan to go somewhere around Kyushu. My first train trip happened last November by using 3 days JR Kyushu student pass (JR Kyushu ryugakusei pass). Those 3 days I went to Yufuin, Oita, Beppu, Huis ten bosch and Nagasaki, with these trains as I wished, Yufu, Yufuin no mori, Sonic, Huis ten bosch, Kamome, as well as Shinkansen Tsubame and Sakura.

Beautiful moment in Yufuin.
What a nice place!

Begun that day with sunrise in Beppu before went to beppu onsen tour.

“Breathtaking scene happened in front of me”
Kingdom of lights in Huis Ten Bosch made me felt like I stood in heaven. The only one thing that annoyed me is the scene of many couples holding hand together and walking around Huis Ten bosch. It’s my warning If you don’t have boyfriend or girlfriend. You must prevent yourself from envy them.

“Without reflection, you cannot be a complete man”

There is a Thai band’s music video was shot in Nagasaki. That MV made me fall in love with this city especially Megane bashi.

I don’t know why someone might think it is only bridge but in my opinion it made me realize something.

“How I do dare ignore visiting Suizenji park”
It’s a placid place to calm and relax your mind.

Ikinari Dungo. “Must-eat food in front of Suizenji park”

My journey has not yet been finished. After new year, A-train, Aso boy, Umisachi-yamasachi, Hayato no kaze, Ibusuki-no-Tamatebako are waiting for me. Unluckily, my dream can’t come true because I cannot take SL Hitoyoshi. It doesn’t operate in winter and Seven stars in Kyushu as well. Seven stars in Kyushu is my highest dream. I really want to catch it once in my life.

Although I have not yet taken all trains as I wish, I am very satisfied. Thank you friend, train and a bear that led me here, Kyushu :)