A couple of weeks ago, I received an e-mail from JET about my placement notification:
Prefecture: 北海道 Hokkaido
Contracting Organization: 八雲町 Yakumo-cho
Yakumo-cho is a town with a population of about 20,000 located in Oshima in Hokkaido, essentially on the southern hook of the northern-most prefecture (that giant island at the top). Here is a tourist website with more information about southern Hokkaido. Yakumo has a legendary Lantern Parade Festival that I cannot wait to attend!
I couldn't be happier about my placement. Everyone says, "Oh, Hokkaido! I have never been there, but my aunt/friend/etc. took a trip there and said it was beautiful! It is cold and snowy." I expect the weather to be much like Minnesota, with more snowfall because of the water vapor in the air. While I will be far away from Tokyo and many of the bigger cities of Japan, I have spent the last 6 years of my life in the Twin Cities metropolis, and I am ready for a transition to a simpler life in rural Japan, in a town where I will know my neighbors and make many personal connections.
Hey there, how are you?
ReplyDeleteMy name is Eduardo Takada, live in Brazil and I'm trying to build my Family Tree. Unfortunately, my grandparents are dead and the only information I have is that they came form Yakumo-cho, Hokkaido.
Do you have any tip on how can I start my search?
Thank you very much.