Jesus City Japan a.k.a. My JET Placement

I have reached a JET pre-departure milestone; I've finally heard from my predecessor and my school!  It's exciting because now I know exactly where I'm going, almost down to the address.  My placement is both exciting and a bit disappointing, but I'll get to that later.  I know why you really came to my blog today.  You want to know where I'm going.  You already know I'm going to Nagasaki, but Nagasaki is a big prefecture.  I could be literally ANYWHERE.

Well, have no fear, I am finally writing about where I'm going!  My placement is...

The moment we've all be waiting for...

As of May 15, 2017 I received the long awaited email from my JET coordinator telling me my placement.  I had a feeling that would be the day, so I was checking my email just about every 10-15 minutes to see if any word had come.  And it did!  I am officially placed in Nagasaki-ken!

Nagasaki is a prefecture located in the northern part of Japan's southern island of Kyushu. According to Google, it's known for forested islands and hot-springs because of the volcanoes.  Also, because it's so far south it has mild winters, which is nice for me because I do not like snow.  However, they also have very hot and humid summers (80% humidity!!).  I have experience with Japanese summers, but I think it's still going to take some getting used to.  I remember during my study abroad leaving my apartment and instantly being sweaty. I could do my hair in the morning and it would be puffy by mid-day.  Before I was in the city, but Nagasaki is surrounded by water, so I'm sure it will be even worse. 

An interesting fact that I read is that Nagasaki is a very Christian prefecture.  Because it was a major port for Dutch traders it has many Catholic and christian churches. There's even four Adventist congregations that I was able to find. Hopefully I live close enough to travel to one of them because it would be nice to have a Japanese church family even if I can't fully understand the language. 

For now I can only research very basic and historical information about Nagasaki because I don't know exactly where in the prefecture I'll be living yet. The contracting organizations are not allowed to contact us incoming JETs until after May 25th.  Once I know my city I plan on heading straight to Google maps to give myself a tour and to find out about the various festivals and events that go on. I want to know where the nearest grocery store is. I want to know if I'm going to be more rural or in a larger city.  If I'll need a bike or a car. The suspense is killing me!  But at least I can start to get an idea of what kind of clothes to pack based on the region. 

Nagasaki here I come as I continue to prepare for my journey to the land of the rising sun!