Fuji-san

"Mount Fuji (Fujisan) is with 3776 meters Japan's highest mountain. It is not surprising that the nearly perfectly shaped volcano has been worshipped as a sacred mountain and experienced big popularity among artists and common people. Mount Fuji is a dormant volcano, which most recently erupted in 1708. It stands on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures and can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days."

This weekend I, along with thousands of (mostly) Japanese, made the trek up to the top of Mount Fuji. The mountain is only open for climbing for two months out of the year and is an extremely popular activity for locals and tourists alike. 

My trek, of course, did not start at Mount Fuji, I had to get there. It took about four trains to reach Gotemba, a town relatively close to the Subashiri Trail 5th Station, on Saturday night where I would be staying for the night. Riding the train is always an interesting experience depending on who is near me. This time, there was a little boy across the aisle who was intrigued by the sight of a foreigner so I was his amusement as he ran up and down the aisle (for two hours...).

Upon arrival in Gotemba, I checked into my meager accommodations, and I mean meager. While not traditional Japanese style, this was the first time I truly experienced the stereotype portrayed in movies where the westerner is unable to shower due to the height of the shower head. I wasn't even able to stand up in this shower! I did not let that discourage me, I just finished the task and went to bed.

The next morning, I headed back to the train station and boarded the hour long bus ride for the Subashiri Trail 5th Station.

I had excellent weather on my ascent. Mostly sunny with a few clouds here and there, but no rain whatsoever. I stayed in my t-shirt and shorts until I reached the top. The picture above was taken just past the souvenir shops located at the entrance to the trail. I purchased a walking stick which can be branded along the way to track your progress (I left the stick at a train station on my way back... oops. I blame it on my fatigue).

Fuji-san is actually quite beautiful...until you get above tree-line, where it just becomes gravel. But the experience is still incredible. Looking in every direction and noting that you are at level and above the clouds is an amazing feeling. I have climbed higher mountains before, but the climate and landscape in Japan is so much different. There are mountainous regions in Japan, but not many compare to Mount Fuji. The hike to the top starts off from a very low altitude. Many people take two days, starting at the 5th station, 'camping' at the 7th or 8th stations (there are hostel-like places at almost all stations), and completing their trek the next day.

In addition to the mountain hostels, hikers are also able to buy pretty much anything they need as they hike from water to ramen to miso soup. I admit, I bought a banana and a Pocari Sweat along the way (it's like gatorade, weird name, I know). They are very inflated prices. I was wondering how they got these items so far up, but they have vehicles that traverse some of the trails to get supplies up, all the way to the top.

At the top of Mount Fuji, there is a giant crater from the last eruption, usually filled in from the dense fog that surrounds the mountain. I was fortunate enough to be there on a clear day and actually see all the way to the bottom! Also, they have everything you need at the top, too. From worship services (multiple shrines), to food, to a post office!

The trek back down is faster than the trek up, but still difficult. It began to rain on the way down and almost the entire path down is loose gravel/sand. I could see someone making money off some sort of sled system there... but there is the occasional large rock that night get in the way. Either way, I noticed quite a few people falling and a couple of people running. I chose the running option and was able to get down relatively quickly (with some insanely sore calves today). I failed to mention that I did not have hiking boots for this expedition and my old running shoes (the Pearl Izumis) fared quite well, though may not be taking any more runs.

Overall, I started at 0830 and finished at 1500 so I took about six and a half hours to finish. After I safely made it to the bottom, I started my travels back to Kamogawa (after a quick stop at Subway, of course). I upgraded to a Green Car on the Shinkansen, definitely worth it. Traffic back to the secluded beach town on a Sunday night is minimal and I was able to sleep much of the time.

The Goodbye Party

On Thursday night, the Wocher's hosted a goodbye party for me. This was a great way to say goodbye to everyone that I had been working with and had learned so much from all summer.

The combination of John's taste in wine and Midori's cooking made for an excellent night. I believe we started with champagne before dinner and a few bottles of cab sav during dinner. I can only guess that Midori had cooked all day as we had about six courses (it's now Monday so it will really be a challenge for me to remember). We started with olive scones, moved onto carrot soup, followed that with a white fish (I think sea bass), and then frozen kiwi sorbet (to cleanse the pallet). After that we had pork with a variety of vegetables. I think I've covered everything (except desert, which is implied). 

During desert, John and Isobe-san gave me farewell gift: a traditional Japanese yukata, a summer kimono. So basically it's something I can sport tailgating or to the Iowa State Fair (absolutely not). 

All in all, definitely a good night. I knew all along, but I've made some great friends over the last couple of months and I will really miss them and the time I have spent here in Kamogawa. Hopefully I am able to return soon; I know there are a few people that need some help getting to the top of Fuji-san!

Public Relations

Just turned this questionnaire in to public relations at Kameda. Thought it might be interesting. My thoughts... What if my favorite moment happens in the next week?!?!

Q1. Please tell us your impression of Kamogawa, Japan, and Kameda.

Upon arrival in Japan, I knew I was in for something beyond what I was expecting, and I thought I came well prepared. Traveling throughout Japan, everything is so fast moving and unfamiliar yet there is always someone willing to help. When I arrived in Kamogawa, I found a quiet, delightful town that seems almost untouched by the rest of Japan. It is a peaceful place to work and live, even for a foreigner. As the largest employer in Kamogawa, the characteristics found throughout the city are reflected in the hospital. The doctors, nurses and staff are all extremely helpful and easy to get along with. It is these people that have made Kameda one of the best hospitals in Japan and I am fortunate to have been able to spend time here.

Q2. What did you do (learn) while working at Kameda?

I started with rotations through nearly every department in the hospital where I was able to talk with the staff and ask questions about what they do. These rotations proved to be very helpful and I’m glad I will have a different perspective to take back to the US. After my rotations, I focused on writing a paper about pain control in Japan and the lower utilization rates of pain medication in Japan versus western nations. Lastly, I participated in many of the JCI internal audits and gave feedback as to how departments might better comply with JCI standards.

Q3. Are there any amazing cultural differences between Japan and the US?

I have been asked this question several times, and usually I give a different answer depending upon what I am thinking at the time. I have two examples right now. First, we are much more informal in the US. We mostly refer to individuals by their first name instead of family name-san. This was different for me and hard to get used to. Second, the only people in the US that wear masks are doctors or nurses during a procedure. Seeing them on the street, at a reception desk or on a bus was very different.

Q4. What did you like or dislike in Japan (food, culture, anything is OK)?

There was a lot to love in Japan. Let me start with my favorite foods: Gyudon, Sushi, Sashimi, Teppen-yaki, Ramen… the list goes on but again, that’s what I am thinking of right now, and I now know what I will have for dinner… As for culture, I really enjoyed being able to visit the shrines and temples, especially during a ceremony. I found this to be a very moving experience.

There wasn’t a lot that I didn’t like. Occasionally I found foods that I disliked such as crab brain and dried seaweed. I also find it difficult to remove my shoes, but I do like that it keeps my house so clean!

Q5: Did this stay change anything about you?

My stay in Japan was definitely an enlightening experience. I knew I had to be prepared for an experience unlike anything I’d ever had. The biggest thing it taught me was to be more flexible and ‘roll with the punches’.  Not knowing the language and the customs, I mostly either had to react to what others were doing or follow directions; it was difficult to plan ahead. Along with this, I was unable to use my cell phone for maps, reservations, Internet, etc. (which in Tokyo, you might imagine can be difficult), but I still somehow managed! I think I learned to be a little more self-sufficient.

Q6. What is your favorite memory during this stay?

The entire summer was so incredible, but I will try to pick a couple. First, I love any interaction I get to have with patients, which can be difficult for me here as not all patients speak English. I was given the opportunity to speak with one patient from Miyagi prefecture who shared her story with me and I continued to visit with her. Another would be the week I spent traveling, taking in as much of the culture as possible in Japan. During the week I visited Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Iwakuni, and Kyoto.

Q7. Please tell us your future plans.

Upon my return to the US I will complete the final year of my health administration program. During this time I will apply for fellowships at large health systems across the US. Fellowships are similar to what I have done at Kameda but for a longer term. After completion of my fellowship, I have not yet decided whether I want to stay within a health system or try consulting.

Q8. Please give your message to Kameda’s staff.

Thank you to everyone at Kameda for welcoming me. This has been a truly extraordinary experience from start to finish. I believe there is much we can learn through the differences in our healthcare systems; this summer has helped me immensely and I hope it has helped some of you as well.

Whether I was in Kamogawa, Tokyo, Osaka or Kobe, the impact that Kameda Medical Center has had on Japan is clear. Kameda is a symbol of high quality and good customer service and it’s your hard work that made it that way. As I was reminded around Japan by Kameda-lovers everywhere, just remember to ‘Always Say Yes!’