Author Archives: Nick Chen

2025 KCJS EX: Happy Moments EX: 幸せ瞬間 As my final entry for the 2025 KCJS blog, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all the friends I made along the way, who helped create many happy … Continue reading →

2025 KCJS Travel Log: Nara 旅に行こう：奈良 “Have you ever been to Nara to see the deer?” “I have, when I was around twelve. Though if you’re planning to go now, I bet it’ll be packed.” “Hmmm. Not if we leave … Continue reading →

2025 KCJS: Gion-Matsuri 祇園祭 The annual Gion-Matsuri. You simply cannot miss out on this. For the entire month of July, Kyoto’s streets fill with floats, music, and ritual performances that showcase the deep traditions of the region. I had always … Continue reading →

2025 KCJS Travel Log: Kobe, Himeji, Asagiri 旅に行こう：神戸、姫路、朝霧 Another amazing component of KCJS summer is their funded individual/duo travel program. About halfway through the program, we had a long weekend break with an option of traveling to nearby cities and … Continue reading →

2025 KCJS Travel Log: Okinawa 旅に行こう：沖縄 One of the most spontaneous things I’ve done during this trip was booking a last-minute weekend trip to Okinawa with two friends. With almost no planning, we somehow crammed the days with experiences I … Continue reading →

2025 KCJS: Entertainment 京都のエンタテインメント Spending two months in Kyoto gave me plenty of time to explore both the traditional and the contemporary sides of the city’s entertainment scene. Between classes, homework, and hanging out with friends I met along the … Continue reading →

2025 KCJS: Navigating Kyoto 京都の交通体験 Despite Kyoto being a highly walkable city, the humid summer heat makes strolling most pleasant in the early mornings or after sunset. Fortunately, Kyoto is also very safe, so you can comfortably wander the streets … Continue reading →

2025 KCJS: In Reflection 個人的な振り返り Hi!!! I’m Nick Chen, a rising sophomore, and here is my belated first blog reflecting on my experience at the 2025 Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies as a third-year student. Although the program ended some … Continue reading →