GOING SOLO IN JAPAN -1, MAIZURU – 1995 Last Updated: May 2, 2022
We were going to Japan to attend a conference on Echocardiography. The conference was held in Sapporo, the largest city on Hokkaido island.
Prior to going to Sapporo my husband was invited to teach clinical cardiology at a Municipal hospital in a small town called Maizuru on the North Japan sea. At this hospital there was a program to invite doctors to teach bedside clinical Cardiology. All the visiting doctors were coming from USA.
Our visit was at the recommendation of a doctor in the USA who knew well my husband’s teaching ability.
This was a dream opportunity –
We landed at Osaka airport as my husband wanted to spend 2 days at National Heart Institute of Japan, located in Osaka to observe further progress – EchoCardiography – a new field in Cardiac evaluation.
For first 2 nights we stayed at a hotel in a suburb Senri Chuo which was close to National Heart Institute of Japan.
As we were free from Saturday onwards we asked the head of the Maizuru Municipal hospital if we can go there a day earlier. They immediately agreed and sent a car with 2 doctors to pick us up from our hotel.
This map of Japan, shows the location Maizuru. It is a small town located on the North Japan sea. It being a port city small passenger ships travels across the Japan Sea and take passengers from Maizuru to a port named Otaru in Hokkaido.
It is a very pretty town and we were there during springtime. Hydrangia were in bloom all around.
Kyoto is not far from here.
As we were staying for 2 weeks, a small ground floor apartment, No. 101 was given to us which was being used for all visiting teachers. It was a part of Resident’s hostel. Being in the hospital compound it was very conveniently located.
A compact apartment with Kitchen and sitting area. There were 3 extra small rooms – one of them was an office. That was decorated in typical Japanese style with Tatami covering the floors and sliding doors.
It had a fully equipped kitchen with a Rice cooker, Hot water thermos, and sundry things needed for cooking. I had taken some of my own necessities. I had brought some rice and other things that I would need for cooking.
On Sunday morning, 2 junior residents took us out for a drive to a very famous place ” Amanohashidate “.
More about that later.
On Monday teaching program started – morning and afternoon sessions with a lunch break.
Weekends were free. In the neighbourhood was a garden, with a 3 story Pagoda named Kongoin.
Lots of people enjoying the spring weather. Another interesting spot was Taneji temple with a very big bell, located on a mountain side. The drive along the coastal road was very scenic, with small towns and tiny rice fields all over.
In later visits we could use a car during weekends, we explored the surrounding areas.
I had a lot of free time and I made good use of the library reading Medical journals. Over and above I had a chance to read magazines like Nature etc. I also familiarised myself with supermarket. Next weekend on Sunday we were invited to our senior doctor’s house in Kyoto to experience a Japanese tea ceremony performed by his wife who herself also is a doctor.
At the end of our stay students took us out for a Tempura party. It was simple and the food was nice.
On Sunday we were leaving at night. So we invited all the residents for a Rice and Curry party in our apartment. I had found that in supermarkets, Curry and Nan were very popular items. Whatever hot pickle I had was also served.
My neighbour brought salad. The young doctors arranged for Beer and fresh green Soya beans.
It was very much appreciated. After this visit, whenever we went to this hospital ” Curry Party ” became part of the schedule.
After a fortnight’s stay we departed from Maizuru port to go to Sapporo by a small sheep. Our ship was departing at night. A lot of doctors came to help us and say goodbye. This was a very enjoyable and unique experience for us.