My First Five Days in Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa Diaries: My First Five Days as a JICA Scholar

“From missed chances to magic moments—this was the start of my Japan story.”

Did I ever tell you that I was granted an international training scholarship by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from 2007 to 2008?

Yes, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — the training course was called “Application of Multimedia Technology for e-Education.” And let me tell you, my first five days in Okinawa, Japan were nothing short of unforgettable.

Day 1: From Narita to Naha – A Gentle Landing into the Unknown

The moment my feet touched Japanese soil at Narita Airport, I felt the weight of wonder and responsibility settling in. After the immigration formalities and retrieving my luggage, I was warmly greeted by a lady JICA officer who handed me a limousine bus ticket, along with precise instructions — the kind only the Japanese can give — to proceed to Haneda Airport. She even walked me to the bus stop. Imagine that!

From Haneda, I boarded another flight, this time to Naha Airport in Okinawa — the final stretch. There, another JICA staff welcomed me with a smile that felt like sunshine. She brought me to the Okinawa International Center (OIC), my new home for the weeks to come.

At OIC, I was handed my room key and meal card. The staff kindly explained how to use the facilities, and before I could even feel the sting of homesickness, two fellow Filipinos — Erik and Cris — came to the rescue. They told me hilarious and heartwarming stories of their first week. Instantly, I didn’t feel so alone.

I ended my first day in Room 235, curled under the blanket while the cold air outside whispered something new had begun. I called my wife and daughter back home with a newly bought phone card. My voice may have trembled from the chill, but my heart was full.

Day 2: Faces, Flags, and the Feeling of the United Nations

By 7:00 a.m., I was up and ready for breakfast at Tsukudo, the OIC dining hall. The moment I walked in, it felt like a U.N. convention was happening — participants from around the world sharing one meal, one roof, and one mission.

Cris-san showed me how to use the meal card like a pro. Later that day, I met with my course coordinator from MTEC who gave a thorough orientation — covering house rules, expectations, etiquette, and the whole nine yards.

I also met my classmates for the training course and other participants from different programs. It was electric — people from all walks of life, cultures, and professions, all gathered to learn and grow.

Day 3: When the Alarm Clock Fails and Redemption Speaks Japanese

This one hurt — I overslept. Yes, me! On the day of our big meeting with sponsors and Japanese company representatives. I rushed down only to see my colleagues receiving calling cards and handshakes. I felt invisible. Honestly? I was crushed.

I kept replaying my mistake in my head until my name was called to give a self-introduction. That was my moment to recover. I stood tall, pushed away the embarrassment, and delivered my prepared speech — in Japanese. That small win brought back my confidence. Redemption, served with grammar and guts.

Day 4: The Mayor, the City Keys, and the Aquarium Raffle

We visited Urasoe City and were formally introduced to the mayor. As a symbolic gesture of welcome, we were even given “keys to the city” and issued non-resident alien cards — our passport to blending in and becoming part of the Okinawan fabric, even if just temporarily.

That afternoon, JICA staff announced a raffle — a chance to visit the world-renowned Churaumi Aquarium. Out of over 80 participants, only 53 would be randomly selected. The odds were tight... but my desire was immense. I had heard only magical things about that place — “It’s like walking underwater without drowning,” one friend said.

I crossed my fingers. My heart hoped.

Day 5: Close to Defeat, Closer to a Miracle

I wasn’t chosen.

My name was not called in the raffle. Disappointed but not defeated, I remembered a simple truth: not all winners are drawn — some show up early. So, the next morning, I woke up before sunrise and rushed to the registration area, hoping someone would back out. To my surprise, five others had the same idea and were already lined up ahead of me.

Still, I waited. Two participants called in to cancel. Then three more. I lost count.

And then… I was alone in the line. Just me and the pulse of hope. My heart pounded — I could almost hear it echoing through the hallway.

Then the coordinator signaled the driver to start the engine.

Crushed.

I turned around, ready to leave with a sigh and a slouch… when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder
.
“Come on, join us, young man!”

It was one of the kind-hearted bus staff — they made room for me in a two-seater bench. I got in.

That bus ride to Churaumi Aquarium? It wasn’t just transportation. It was a miracle bus. A lesson on persistence. And proof that sometimes, if you just stay in line, the universe finds a way.

And the rest?

The rest was history — sea creatures the size of dreams, colors you thought only existed in stories, and the overwhelming sense that I was exactly where I needed to be.

Reflection:

In those first five days, I learned more than tech and training. I learned about timing. Humility. Community. And hope that refuses to give up — even when your name isn’t called.

Japan didn’t just welcome me — it taught me to wait with grace, act with courage, and believe in lucky second chances.

Project 2, My First 5 days in Okinawa, Japan

Thank you Distinguised Toastmaster of the Evening, Madam Zoila, for the kind introduction.  Fellow members, friends, and guests - good evening.

Did I ever tell you that I was granted an international training scholarship by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in years 2007 to 2008?  Well, the training course was about the “Application of Multimedia Technology for e-Education.  I will share with you my experiences on my first five days in Okinawa, Japan.  It goes this way...

I started forming impressions on Japan as soon as my foot landed in the Narita Airport. After I was through with the landing procedure of the Bureau of Immigration, I took my sets of luggage and lifted from baggage carousel. As soon as I approached the JICA counter at the airport, I was provided with a ticket to a limousine bus, then she gave me a detailed instruction on what to do next, then she escorted me to the bus stop and guided me go to the Haneda Airport then travelled again to Naha Airport where I was cheerfully assisted by JICA staff to my final destination - Okinawa International Center (OIC). At the OIC, a room key and a meal card were given to me, some personnel offered explanations as to how these card and other amenities of the center be used. I felt I was never away from home especially after two young Filipinos (Erik and Cris) entertained me by telling wonderful experiences during their first week of stay. I immediately bought call cards and called my wife and daughter from the Philippines.  My first day ended at Room 235 of OIC,  the weather was so cold, and so am I.

I woke up at about 7:00 a.m. and started the 2nd day at the Tsukodo (dining area).  I saw jolly participants from different countries.  Cris san guided me to the canteen staff who showed me how to use my meal card. 

After eating, I was visited by my coordinator (from JICA) who briefed me about important matters like house rules, courtesy, meetings and many more. I was able to meet my classmates for the training and various participants from the various courses.  It was fun to meet them and our sponsors as well.

I was late during the 3rd day meeting with the participants and sponsors and I felt so sad.  I was not able to control myself for I overslept.  Perhaps, it was due to the changing of weather condition which I was not accustomed to.  I saw that my colleagues were given calling cards by Japanese staff from prestigious companies.  Damn me, for not waking up on time!  I felt I was a little form surrounded by the head and foot of a parenthesis.  But I was able to recover as my name was called to give a brief self-introduction.  I stood up and immediately recited my prepared speech – in Japanese of course!  I felt relieved after that.

The 4th day was spent at Urasoe City, wherein, the participants were introduced to the mayor, and we were given a key to the city,  at the same time, we were given our non-resident alien cards for us to be able to formally live with the locals.  Astounding! 

In the afternoon a raffle was set for participants – a visit to the Churaumi Aquarium.

The day was spent studying Japanese culture and discussing their form of government, the Diet.

 

I got interested to go to the Churaumi Aquarium because of the feedback I received from my friends in Okinawa.  They told me that it was extremely beautiful.  My enthusiasm to go there was further intensified by the fact that only few participants would be able to go there due to limited number of slots.  It would really rely on luck.  So I was praying very hard that my name be called.  

Oooh... how can I forget the raffle day for the trainee to attend an Observation Tour at Okinawa Aquarium (believe me it was so huge and was in the deepest part of the sea). The slots for the participants were 53, but more than 80 persons signed up in the manifesto. So what the JICA staff did was picked 53 individuals by random. Sad to say I was not chosen.

But the big fighter that I am, I did not quit... I know that somewhere along the way some trainees who were selected would not be able to join the trip for some reasons or another. So I thought waiting early in the morning of the next day would be a great idea... maybe I could get a slot... oh maybe...

The 5th day...

The next day I immediately went to the registration room but got shocked after I saw five other individuals, ahead of me, forming a long queue in case someone backout of the trip (I thought I was the only one with that kind of thinking). So I was kinda praying that God would give me a chance to join the trip - then two people called the secretariat that they won't be able to join... another three sent peelers that they won't be able to make it. So, I was left alone in the line and I was so nervous, my heart was pounding too fast... maybe if you would come nearer to where I stood you would hear my heartbeat.

But no more backed-out...

The coordinator then signal the driver to start the engine... I got so frustrated and sad... so I prepared myself to leave and never to look back again...

While walking (with my head showing melancholic despair), I felt a soft tap on my shoulder - "Common join us young man!" 

I consider myself fortunate that these two generous people from the bus company agreed to accommodate me in a two-seater bench...and the rest was history. 

Madam Toastmaster.

Travel to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

A Whale of a Memory: My Okinawa Adventure with JICA Scholars

December 30, 2007 — a date etched in my memory like a splash frozen in time.

I was in Japan, surrounded by bright minds and fellow JICA scholars, far from the tropical warmth of the Philippines but burning with excitement nonetheless. That day, we journeyed to one of the crown jewels of Okinawa — the Churaumi Aquarium. A mouthful to pronounce at first, but unforgettable the moment we stepped inside.

Now, picture this: the main tank, Kuroshio Sea, loomed before us like a cathedral of glass, towering with silent majesty. And then — there it was. The whale shark. The whale shark. Mammoth, gliding through the water like a king in slow motion. Around it danced stingrays, groupers, and creatures I couldn't name — each one more surreal than the last. I remember feeling like a tiny dot, just a visitor in the vastness of the blue.

Cameras clicked. Gasps escaped lips. Jaws dropped — mine included. We were scholars on a mission to learn, but on that day, we were kids again, wide-eyed and wonder-struck.

It wasn’t just the sheer size of the sea creatures that stunned me — it was the reminder of how vast and mysterious our planet is. And how lucky we were to witness a sliver of it from behind a pane of glass.

We took photos — lots of them — but even the best picture couldn’t capture the feeling of standing inches away from a 20-ton gentle giant. That aquarium visit wasn’t just a tour stop; it was a moment of awe, laughter, and pure joy. The kind that anchors itself in your soul and refuses to fade.

To this day, whenever I hear “Okinawa,” I don’t just think of beaches or history. I remember the chill of the air, the warmth of friendship, and the quiet power of the ocean... seen from the inside out.

It was fun, yes.
But more than that — it was unforgettable.
A memory I’ll cherish forever.

Very nice place!