Exploring Shizuoka with International Students Part1
Enjoying Japanese “Soba” at Kyozanbo at the Foot of Mt. Fuji!

Shizuoka, blessed with an abundance of nature like the sea, rivers, and mountains, also offers a rich culinary culture that can be savored with each season. We visited "Kyozanbo," located in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, with Qaisar Shahzad, PhD student of Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, and Smirna Wirawanty Patandung, a Master’s student of Shizuoka University.

One of Japan's soul foods is soba noodles, made from buckwheat. At Kyozanbo, you can enjoy soba made with the pure water of Mt. Fuji.

Kyozanbo is located at the foot of Mount Fuji, housed in a traditional Japanese building that is over 400 years old. Once inside, you’ll find traditional furniture and ornaments, allowing you to experience an authentic Japanese atmosphere.

On this day, the two international students tasted tempura with seasonal vegetables and a warm bowl of soba noodles. Grated daikon radish and green onions were served alongside the soba as a condiment.　It was Qaisar’s first time trying soba and he seemed curious, asking, "What is this?" when he saw the grated daikon and green onions. Both students were delighted, saying, "The soba and tempura are so delicious!"

Qaisar: “In high school, I read some books about Japan and that is the reason I was interested in Japan. When I decided to pursue a PhD, my professor introduced me to Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, and that is how I came to Japan.

Currently, I live in a dormitory for international students located in the campus of the university. Shizuoka has beautiful nature including Mount Fuji, and its mild climate makes it comfortable to live in. Talking with other international students, I find that they all have a very positive impression of Japan. It’s incredibly safe, and the people in Japan are very kind to foreigners.

One of my hobbies is cooking. I make a variety of dishes like Pakistani Cuisine, pizza, pasta, etc. I’ve been trying to cook Japanese food but it has been challenging as the Tempura batter was not crispy enough (laughs). I work part-time on the night shift at a bread factory, where I bake a lot of breads every day. Talking about my study, I’m conducting research on cancer diagnostics at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine. In the future, I hope to start a business that applies the results of my research.”

Smirna: “It has been 8 years since I came to Japan after graduating high school. I first became interested in Japan because I watched a lot of Japanese dramas from a young age. The first drama series I watched was One Liter of Tears. In high school, I studied Japanese in my class.

Currently, I’m studying economics in the master’s program at Shizuoka University. Shizuoka isn’t as hot as Indonesia, so it’s a comfortable place to live. On my days off, I enjoy going to cafes, traveling, and sightseeing. I also work part-time as a translator, translating between Indonesian and Japanese.

After I finish my program, I plan to work for a Japanese company. My dream is to start my own business in Japan after gaining some business skills.”

Both Qaisar and Smirna are enjoying fulfilling lives in Shizuoka, balancing studies, daily life, and leisure. Thank you both for sharing your experiences with us!