Japanuary!

JAPANUARY: See/Ski/Ride Japan! SNU fall 2021 Short Block Course

Travel to Japan: January 2nd – 15th, 2022

Class will meet a few times during fall 21 short block, to prep for the trip.

Students may also take ENGL/JOUR 380 – Travel Writing Japan – for an additional 3 credits, and/or PHED/ODAL 380 – Skiing/Riding Japan, for an additional credit.

Earn 7 credits this fall if you register for all three courses. Travel during SNU winter break, and be back in time for the beginning of the spring semester.

FNAR 480 – Japanuary: See Ski Ride Japan: 3 credits

Class will meet a few times during the fall short block to let you know what to expect for the trip. Learn about past SNU trips to Japan, what we’ll be seeing and doing, a little conversational Japanese, and how to enjoy the hot springs – onsen (Japanese baths). We’ll talk about what to pack, expect, and go over the itinerary. Skiing/Riding optional.

ENGL/ JOUR 380 Travel Writing Japan: 1-3 credits – in long block schedule

This course will focus on your direct experience in Japan and will offer an opportunity to record your observations, your curiosities, your experiences and your reflections on your travel through Japan and its snow country. This course must be taken with FNAR 480 Japanuary and can be (optional) taken with PHED/ODAL credit for skiing/riding in Japan. You will be required to write for a minimum of thirty minutes- one hour every day and to revise and submit your favorite writing in a final portfolio. Supplemental readings and writing examples, required before and during travel, will support and shape your submissions. With: Katie Zanto.

Explore/ Reflect/Write: Japanuary

PHED 380 or ODAL 380 – Ski/Ride Japan: 1 credit

Get credit for adventuring in the Japanese Alps. Ski/ ride for up to 6 days in Japan at resorts in the Hakuba and Shiga Kogen regions with Katie Zanto.

Lion Dancer

SNU group with Lion Dance performer – after dinner entertainment at the hotel

Professor Katie Zanto

COURSE FEE: $3,900

Course fee includes: two weeks of hotels, transportation in Japan, all planned activities, and select meals. Airfare and lift tickets are not included. Lift tickets are way cheaper in Japan than in the US, around $50). Recommended for daily expenses: $20 a day for meals that aren’t included, snacks, etc. Some hotels include breakfast, some include breakfast and dinner, which is an incredible, delicious experience!

Skiing and riding is optional. If you rather, you can sightsee with Sheri. We’ll travel to incredible sites like temples, museums, shopping areas, and much more!

Relax in the onsen – natural hot springs Japanese baths after skiing/riding or sightseeing, and then sit down to an amazing dinner!

Japanuary travel will be right after the holidays, before the spring ’22 term begins. Awesome is an understatement when describing Japan! Travel during the winter break to the “Japanese Alps”, where you can ski or snowboard in the gorgeous landscape of Japan, or sample the culture on day trips to iconic sites.

The trip will begin in Tokyo, where we’ll visit amazing, historic, and high tech a places such as TeamLab and enjoy “Electric Town” at night. Then we’ll travel to the Nagano Prefecture, where the Olympics were held, and stay/ski in Shiga Kogen and Hakuba. In the beautiful ryokan, (Japanese style inn), we’ll sleep on futons on tatami mats, have incredible, delicious meals, wear kimonos, and enjoy the natural hot springs – onsen baths. We’ll also see adorable snow monkeys enjoying their own outdoor onsen. At the end, we’ll return to Tokyo, and visit the gorgeous Senso-ji temple, and go to the amazing Robot Café show. Learn about Japanese culture and art, and enjoy diverse areas of Japan during a trip of a lifetime!

Snow monkeys in their onsen – adorable!

Sheri Leigh O’Connor – Trip Facilitator

Sheri is obsessed with Japan, and can’t wait to take you there! She has been studying Japanese for years, and has been to Japan more than 20 times. At SNU, she is the chair of the Fine Arts department where she teaches ceramics, and also directs the summer art workshop program. Her ceramic work has been featured in the magazines Ceramics Monthly, and Clay Times, and in several books. She has participated in numerous art exhibitions, including in Utsonomiya, Japan. Her passion lately has been traveling, particularly to Japan. “I’ve never taken anyone to Japan that didn’t absolutely love it!”