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Touring Around Japan

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When I'm not working on my research project, I like to get around Tokyo and see all that is has to offer. While I haven't been able to explore as much as I would like, I have been able to make significant progress on the sightseeing. After all, the subway lines make it very easy to traverse the city. I have included some of my favorite pictures below. Okonomiyaki Shibuya crossing(2,500 pedestrians crossing every time the signal changes)   Imperial Palace Gardens   Senso-Ji Temple     Tokyo Tower     Tokyo National Museum     Odaiba Island     Fireworks Festival   Pokemon Center Shinkansen (Bullet Train)     Osaka     Osaka Castle Time Capsule set to open 5000 years from now     Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto     Arashiyama     Arashiyama Bamboo Forest     Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine These are some of my favorite pictures since arriving in Japan and as you can see, the cou

Seafood in Japan

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         I've never really been a fan of seafood, much less raw fish, before coming to Japan but now that I'm here I'm realizing how much I've been missing out. Because seafood is such an integral part of the Japanese diet, at every corner you'll find some sort of it. From shrimp flavored pringles to fish flavored drinks, you are literally surrounded by seafood. Additionally, the food is always so fresh considering we're right next to the world's largest fish market: Tsukiji. I am very grateful to Japan for showing me all kinds of new foods and teaching me to appreciate the unknown. If you're looking to expand your palate, Tokyo is definitely the place to visit. -Roberto Rivas

Introduction to Tokyo

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Add caption 5000+ miles across the world and 25 new friends from every corner in the globe, Tokyo has so far been an unforgettable experience that I am forever grateful to be a part of. Every day I have encountered something new and made new memories that I can't wait to share with family and friends back home. Not only has this experience made me grow as an individual through its never-ending language barriers and newfound independence unlike my college experience, but it has helped me progress in my academic career. Allowing me to do the research I have always dreamed of conducting: hypersonic space vehicles.  My name is Roberto Rivas and I am a rising junior at Carnegie Mellon University studying Mechanical Engineering and I have the privilege of studying abroad this summer at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan for ten weeks. During my stay in Tokyo, I will be taking a Japanese history and language course while conducting research on the next generation