Kendo is an ancient Japanese martial art that dates back to the time of the Samurai warrior. It involves dueling between two people who are each equipped with a sword-like stave made of bamboo.

On Saturday 10th of May, WLE students visited Kyumeikan Dojo (school) to experience the art of Kendo. It was the first time for our WLE students and they were so excited to begin!

Kyumeikan Dojo was founded in 1957 and has welcomed foreign students from all over the world in past 30 years. There are approximately 100 students in total learning at the dojo. The present director, Mr. Akira Kubo is a director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Kendo Federation International section. He speaks English and has personally traveled to over 40 countries to introduce and teach Kendo as a way to foster international friendship and trust.

Dressing up in the traditional Kendo attire	Our Students ready for their very first Kendo lesson

We received a warm welcome when we arrived. Before we began our WLE students got changed into the traditional Kendo uniform (Dogi, Hakama, chest and waist protector). A typical Kendo practice session usually begins with basic training exercises. We watched a demonstration by a student (Kyumeikan) before trying it ourselves. The first exercise was Suburi. Suburi is a warming up exercise which teaches basic movements on how to strike and thrust. We performed Suburi for 30 minutes, by then our WLE student's arms were getting tired and it was just the warm up!

Warm up time - Suburi!	Mr. Akira instructing students on how to properly hold the Shinai

Kendo, There are many Kata (techniques).

But Mr. Akira taught us that the most important thing is the basic movements.

At the same time, the class focused on technique as well as the philosophy and tradition of Kendo. We learned the basic techniques - Men, Kote, Do.

Men - is a blow to the head.

Kote - is striking at the wrist.

Do - is striking at the flank.

We then proceeded to perform the exercises of Men, Kote and Do for one hour without rest! Finally, we donned our full protective armor to participate in a duel with the Kyumeikan's students.

A game may last up to five minutes and the winner is the first to score two out three points. Points are scored by inflicting blows to the head, torso, forearm or throat.

WLE's students attempted to use what they learnt and performed Men, Kote, Do during their duels. Sometimes they were able to and sometimes they weren't, and some of the students even won!

Gearing up into the full body Kendo protector suits	Time to duel!

After the extremely challenging and physically demanding practice session, our WLE's students gathered round and were each given a diploma.

Our students receiving Kendo diplomas from Mr. Akira	WLE's students and Kyumeikan's students together

It was amazing for WLE's student to witness men and women from ages 3 to 80 practicing this traditional art. As well as people from many different countries practicing together with the Japanese students.

We will never forget the excitement and intensity of Kendo.

Soba noodles are one of the most popular noodles in Japan. Made of buckwheat flour (soba-ko) and wheat flour (komugi-ko), it is as thick as spaghetti and found in many Japanese noodle dishes.

One such dish is zaru soba, being the most basic soba dish it is simply boiled and cooled then the cold soba noodles are eaten with a soya based dipping sauce (tsuyu).

It was a beautiful day on the eve of spring and our WLE student visited the Edo Tokyo Soba school in Koiwa. It is here at Edo Toky Soba School where students who have graduated become real soba chefs.

We were warmly welcomed by Mr. Ito our assistant teacher.

He introduced to us the wonderful history of soba and after that we were given the opportunity to witness the production of handmade soba. Then finally we began to make soba by ourselves!

Mr. Ito explaining the history of Soba	Students watch a demonstration on how to make Soba

The procedure of making soba is as follows.

Step 1 : Sifting and Mixing the flour

The first step mixing the flour with water into dough is considered the most important and difficult part of making soba noodles. The correct amount of water is added step by step to the flower before being mixed for several minutes until the flour becomes moist enough to be formed into dough. The dough is then pressed until it becomes very smooth and contains no more air.

Step 2: Rolling the dough

The dough is then rolled into a thin square by repeatedly rolling it around a long wooden roller.

Rolling the dough	Kneading the dough

Step 3: Cutting the dough

The dough is folded and cut into the noodles.

Carefully cutting the Soba in to noodle strips

Step 4: Boiling the noodles

Lastly, the noodles are boiled and cooled down with cold water, before being served with a soy based dipping sauce(tsuya), wasabi, nori seaweed, and negi (Japanese leek), The water used to boil the noodles is often added to the remaining tsuya and consumed at the end of the meal.

The end result... delicious!	Mr. Ito and our WLE students

We were able to make delicious zaru-soba!

It was interesting that the soba we made tasted different even when we made them using the same ingredients. We were told that the taste tends to differ due to the weather, the amount of water added and the amount of air exposed.

In the end as our reward we tasted the fruits of our labor. It was a fun and memorable experience for all of us. We would like to give many thanks to all the people in Edo Tokyo Soba School.

Tokyo Disneyland is a 115 acre theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort located at Urayasu in Chiba. Opening on April 15th 1983, it was the first Disneyland to be built outside of the United States.

On a sunny Saturday morning, our students headed for Tokyo Disneyland to join in the celebration of Tokyo Disneyland's 25th Anniversary! There were so many people there even at the early hours of the morning. Today's occasion meant that were many more special events being held there, even a parade!

Hurray! We're at Disneyland!	The popular "Big Thunder Mountain" rollercoaster ride	There's always a photo opportunity at Disneyland!

Tokyo Disneyland has seven themed areas, each complementing another yet unique in their very own style.

The first attraction we went to was called "Western Land", which was named after the old American frontier. Here the Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster ride is very popular. We lined up for an hour and a half just to ride it but it was worth it and everyone had fun.

Next we came across the Disney Land's parade. The parade was called "Jubilation" and it was filled with all the fun, excitement and wonder, just like the name described. We saw Mickey, Minnie, and other beloved characters from the Disney films coming together for a pageant made of dreams and fantasy.

The parade is in town!	Pretty fairies dancing about

We also headed for Adventure land while eating a snack and rode the Jungle Cruise. The Ship captain took us into the Jungle where wild animals, like the hippopotamus and elephant resided. We all felt like Indiana Jones!

Welcome to the jungle!	The very lifelike wild animals

Finally we rode the Splash Mountain which was located in Critter Country. We had to wait for a longer time to ride that one, a wait that lasted for two hours. The ride can be best described as a Hair-raising waterfall adventure, with the wettest drop over!

Tokyo Disneyland gave us all the joy and excitement experienced only in our dreams and fantasies. Needless to say we all had an incredible great time!

Name: Hudson Dex Felker
Program Enrolled in WLE: Conversation/Intensive, 3 months
Country of residence: USA
Citizenship: USA
Profession: Student
Languages spoken: English, Japanese
Hobbies: Movies, music, electronics, karaoke

Is this your first time in Japan?
No, this is my third time in Japan. My first time coming to Japan was a vacation with my brother about three years ago. After immediately falling in love with the country, I decided that a study abroad program would be the ideal method of learning the language, so the following year I studied Japanese in Tokyo through World Link Education for 3 months.


Why did you decide to study Japanese Language?
Ever since I was young I've always had a strong interest in Japanese culture -- I even learned my first few Japanese words back when I was in elementary. As long as I can remember I've wanted to learn Japanese, and at long last I've finally been able to make that dream a reality.

How are you finding your studies in Japan?
My studies in Japan are going great. Every day I learn new words, grammatical functions, and a few new kanji here and there too. I learn more in a month here than I would in a year back home.

Has your studies been what you expected it to be?
No; they went far above and beyond my expectations. Prior to studying in Japan, my only experience with learning Japanese was via textbooks and a private tutor. Never did I think that a classroom setting was the ideal environment for learning Japanese.

How do you like Tokyo?
Like? I love Tokyo!

What do you find most interesting about Tokyo?
Employees at stores hand out advertisements with tissues bundled with them. A clever marketing strategy, but why would anyone buy tissues when you can get them for free anywhere? Quite interesting.

How has your experience in Japan changed you if it has?
Japan has changed me in far too many ways to name, but ultimately living in Japan has opened my mind to new ideas and ways of life, many of which I plan to bring back with me to the states.

What is the thing you like most about Tokyo/Japan?
The food. It's so cheap, and so good! I've never eaten better food in my life, and I get to eat it every day -- multiple times!

Will you come to Japan/Tokyo again?
You'll have a hard time making me leave! Being my 3rd time here in Tokyo, it's not only safe to say that I'll be back again, but that eventually I'll be here to stay (hopefully).

What advice/tips would you give to others who plan to come and study in Japan?
Make the most of every day. Speak Japanese as much as you can, ask as many questions as possible. Every day, no matter where you are -- on the train, the subway, or in the streets -- look around you and try to read as much as possible. Remember what the kanji to different stops on your train are, and then learn their meaning. Doing this, I've been able to learn countless kanji outside of the classroom. The classes are an excellent way to learning Japanese, but you have to take it upon yourself to apply the knowledge you learn into everyday life in order to reach fluency. And most of all, enjoy your time here. It's hard not to, but make every day count!