Rewarding Experience Visiting Japan: 10 Days of Goodwill Art of Almuslim University in 2013

In order Goodwill Art of Almuslim University has visited Sakura or  sunrise country in Japan,  visiting place take the city Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. The delegation traveled dated 26  June 2013 from Jakarta -Indonesia and arrived at Narita Tokyo on 27 June 2013 at morning around 9. 00 AM. Art goodwill performed at Waseda University, Kyoto, Doshisha University and Kyotamba International Exchange Association, the group also visited Osaka and Kobe. Visiting Osaka Castle and Memorial Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Isntitution (DRI), which stores historical buildings earthquake that struck Kobe on 17 January 1995.

Four days in the city of Tokyo (東京)

First day arrival of the directly we visits the Agricultural, Chiba, Sanrizuka Onepack Yasai are greeted by one of the coordinators of organic farming is Miss Ayami in Chiba Tokyo, farm location is closer to Tokyo Narita International Airport about 30 minutes by bus. This farm has a history that a group of farmers who have successfully fought their lands who have had a dispute with the government of Japan in the past. After a long process of farming can be owned by the local community to maintain the site into an organic farm edges in vegetables, wheat and other tree species. With minimalist land this organization has succeeded in developing organic vegetables that have high selling power in Japan. After a visit and have lunch together in the location of agricultural group continue to the hotel to get rest.

On June 28, 2013 representatives of the University Almuslim rectors, deans, staff and Mr. T. Slamet Higher Education representative to visit Waseda University (早 稲 田 大学) they have the meeting with the OAS (Organization for Asian Studies). These organisation is a network of research institutions, including research collaboration, promote and support, studies and academic exchange between Japan and overseas researchers and  institutions into prioritas program. And they also have  activities held a seminar and symposium in Asia especialy. Meeting with the head of the OAS Mr. Ryuzaburou Takahashi, his explain the agency is very open for the possibility of cooperation in both institutions in the economic, social research and student exchange programs. However, it still requires administrative processes related to the requirements that must be fulfilled by the Almuslim University. The meeting ended with the giving of the souvenir both of institution by the Rector of the Almuslim University and chairman of the OAS Waseda University.

 Then proceed with the survey of the venue location for the event on 29 June, 2013, this activity was accompanied by Saeki Natsuko as contact Almuslim University Goodwill Art in Tokyo.

Around  14.00 PM, the group  have apoitment with headed Embassy in Tokyo to make relation and report to them regarding our activity. Information section Embassy in Tokyo received the group very well. After a one hour meeting with the Embassy and then the group continued meeting with CAPP (Central for Asia Pacific Partnership) in Tokyo. An organization CAPP that works to study in Asia, the organization is part of Osaka University. In a meeting with the chairman of CAPP Utsumi Aiko convey love to be able to cooperate in the research program between Aceh and Japan because the two countries have a history of the past. During this new CAPP collaborated several countries in Asia including Thailand and Korea.

On June 29, 2013 at 14.00 AM group that leads Ono Auditorium Waseda University, their awaited for purposes of goodwill Art in 2013 by students and faculty who participated perform. The event this performance several dance such as Tor-Tor dance, Creative stunami (History of stunami in Aceh), Serunee Kale, dance Rapai Geleng, Saman and solo songs Nanggroe Aceh and Nada Sou Sou (Japanese song). In the performing arts has dialog between dancers and spectators associated with the preparation of studio, then MC (Indonesia by Chairul Bariah and Japan by Mss. Tomoko) also invites the audience to exercise joint Saman modification dance. At the request of the audience at the end of the stage at Waseda University Saman re-performed for the second time. Stage in the auditorium of Waseda University has received a very good response from visitors to the student, academic, journalist and society in Japan and the Acehnese people living in Tokyo who had give participated in the the Waseda campus.

On June 30, to get to know the capital of Japan closer, the group visit to Tokyo Tower (東京 タ ワ -) which was established 29 June 1958, from the heights anyone can see the splendor of Tokyo. The overall height of 332.6 meters and a steel tower tallest building in Japan. Lower surrounding buildings, so the Tokyo Tower can see various locations in the city center. The group also visited the Imperial Palace (皇居) the residence of Emperor of Japan "Akihihito" emperor to 125, in the main residence of the Emperor consists of a very large garden located in the area of Chiyoda, Tokyo Station is within walking distance of downtown. The atmosphere around the Imperial Palace is really very nice atmospheric and contrast with surrounded by tall buildings are modern. Around the Palace still looks very beautiful and very well maintained and tidy. We continue to move visited Asakusa (浅 草) to see places of worship Buddha central city and the pride of the Japanese people, is one of the places visited by local and foreign touris from various countries.

For 4 days in the city of Tokyo whole entourage still spirit in preparation for the next show, to adapt to the environment, learn the culture and see the progress of the country  Japan.

Four days trip in Kyoto (京都)

On 1 July 2013, the group Goodwill Art continue  trip to Kyoto by Shinkazen Nozomy fast train leaving Tokyo. Town of Kyoto is famous for the area of education and culture of Japan are still original about culture. Upon arriving at the performance troupe preparing Doshisha University Kyoto Clover Hall (同志 社 大学) which has scheduled for the afternoon. On the occasion of this visit, Mr. Shiozaki in Theology has facilitated Almuslim University and Dean of Theology to conduct meetings associated with the opportunity to explore cooperation of research and other programs. Assistant Professor Shiozaki Japanese citizens who had converted to Islam and is now a Professor in the Department of Theology asissten has helped process stage show at the Goodwill Art at Doshisha University. Performance in the building Clover Hall, the event has been run successfully by featuring dance Pakarena, Creative stunami, dance Rapai Geleng, Saman modification and joint exercises and discussions. In the performing arts from Doshisha University has got a nice welcome to the audience do pictures together along with dancers and communicate with each other. The event ended with a dinner together that have become Japanese culture, visible when the dinner party student majoring in art and theology has increasingly create intimacy.

Osaka (大阪) and Kobe (神 戸)

On 2 July the group toured to Osaka about one hour journey by bus. One of the places visited is Osaka Castle (大 坂 城) one of the famous Japanese castles, and has recorded a major role in the history of the unification of Japan in the sixteenth century. The Palace built entirely of wood, but then in the 16th century growing use of large stones to strengthen the construction. In Japan almost all of areas, there are castles and history being maintained well, there are 12 palaces that still has the tower be preserved as tourist attractions, then the group proceeded about 30 minutes to visit Kobe Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution (DRI). Visit DRI into "lessons learned" about Japan's experience in dealing with the earthquake that occurred in 1995 in Kobe.

Expereince in Kyotamba, around 13 students live with a host family respectively. While others remained in the House Mizuho Garden Lodge which has been provided by the International Exchange Association Kyotamba institutions.

On 4 July at 9:00 am, the group who had rejoined continue to visit each other to the program agenda around the village Kyotamba, continuous rain on the morning of activities for visit to multiple locations canceled. However, the group can perform other creative activities that have been provided, then the group were invited to a BBQ at Sanyoso No Mori packaged in a farewell party. Communication continues between the community and the students Kyotamba more open and close. The final seconds of the group must leave Kyotamba, at the time of leaving one student to tears should say "sayonara" for separation.

All have passed the end of the program group Goodwill Art with their own thoughts on the impression gained during 9 days in Japan. The results of the last meeting in Sanyoso No Mori Higher Representative with Mr. T. Slamet Suparno with flavors touched say very satisfied with Art 2013 Goodwill programs conducted by the University Almuslim. As rector of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Surakarta (ISI) the last day of the program has been announced to invite one student, her name’s Ristawati from FKIP faculty to continue for Master’s at the University of ISI Surakarta. With the feeling of the group was impressed all excited over this information. With feelings of love and tired afternoon the group returned to continue the journey to Narita Airport Hotel for preparation  returning to Indonesia.

For important step goodwill associated with the program objectives for the University Art Almuslim is the emergence of cooperation programs, but the process is still in the exploratory phase will be followed up further so that the Almuslim University directly collaboration with the University in Japan. Cooperate with Japanese universities should be have the process  so the University Almuslim should be prepared in the International level so that cooperation can be done in the future. On the other hand, the learning process can be taken into important point is that professionals working mechanism, dynamic infrastructure, clean environment, regulation and discipline Japanese society will be an important example of a learning process for the group Goodwill Art of Almuslim University to continues to create change for the people of Aceh Indonesia. HS