Allen Wan - Ishikawa (1990-1992)
- Japan Society of Boston
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Where were you in Japan as a JET and when?Â
I was a JET from 1990-1992 (saying that makes me feel ancient!) in Ishikawa prefecture. I was the first JET in my school, an all-boys vocational school called Komatsu Kogyo Koko.
Komatsu is known for its earthmovers and not much else. This was before the age of the Internet and smart phones so I spent a lot of down time in karaoke bars, which really helped my Japanese and ability to master the slow-pitch staccato of Frank Sinatra songs.
I was lucky enough to move to Kanazawa in my second year and worked in the governor's prefectural office once or twice a week and commuted to Komatsu by bike, scooter and train the rest of the time.
What sparked your interest in applying for the JET program?Â
I had just returned from studying abroad in Asia, mostly Hong Kong and China, and wanted to go back after graduation. I heard about the program from my advisor at Boston University, Terry MacDougall, who is also a renowned Japan expert. I asked him to write me a letter of recommendation, which I think made a big difference in my application. I lucked out because I graduated during a recession and got accepted in the JET program just around the time I was quitting my first job in a now-defunct private bank which I didn't like but paid the bills.
What are some of the things your prefecture is known for? e.g. food, hotspots, etc.Â
Ishikawa's capital city Kanazawa is known as "little Kyoto" because of its rich history and culture -- and the fact that it wasn't bombed during World War Two. Its most famous tourist sites are Kenrokuen Garden, the Oyama shrine and the Samurai district, where I lived in a tiny apartment the size of a closet.
Back then, Kanazawa was a hidden gem little known outside of Japan. That's not true today, though it doesn't get the overtourism you see in Tokyo and Kyoto. My favorite spot isn't a place, but a restaurant called "Dainana Gyoza" near Kanazawa University which has been around for several decades and has the best Chinese-style dumplings in the world. But please don't go as you'll just spoil it for everyone!
Did you pick up any of the regional dialects? What are some of your favorite words or phrases?Â
I picked up a couple of phrases that I still use with my Ishikawa friends such as "Hoy Ya Na?" and "Majii," which I think mean "Isn't it so?" and "really?" There's also "dara," which I heard often, which I think isn't confined to Ishikawa dialect and means idiot. I get a laugh every time I interject these phrases in the odd conversation I barely understand.
If you were to return to live in Japan, would you choose to live in that same prefecture?Â
Probably not. I learned to love Ishikawa and it became a second home for me. I still have an apartment there! I sometimes think about returning as a senior-citizen JET living in Kyushu, Okinawa or Sado Island (though I am not sure if there are any JETs there). But the idea of living in an expensive, big city doesn't sound appealing even though I am currently living in Shanghai and my hometown is New York City.
How has your connection in relation to Japan changed since living in Japan?Â
My two years as a JET were some of my most formidable years. It was where I learned to be an adult, fight loneliness and become somewhat responsible. I have spent a large chunk of my life living in Asia and don't think that would have been possible without the JET experience. I am currently a foreign correspondent for a major news company and often write about global affairs, including events in Japan. My experience as a JET allowed me to gain insight and understanding into a unique culture that still informs me today.
Thank you, Allen, for sharing your JET story!