Waseda WeeklyWaseda Weekly

1. Seminar House where self-service is the rule
The rich nature and delicious food will satisfy your heart and stomach.

Waseda Weekly Reporter (SJC Student Staff)
Rinka Nishimura, 2nd year School of Human Sciences

What kind of facility is Seminar House?

Seminar House are accommodations that Waseda students and faculty can use for intensive classes, seminars, student club activities, and to deepen friendships with other students. The accommodation fee is only 2,000 yen per person per night! Wi-Fi and projectors are available, so you can use them for various activities and refresh your mind in a natural environment. There are also sports facilities such as Tennis Court and grounds, so it is perfect for recreation and exercise. Unlike hotels and other accommodations, self-service is the rule. At Seminar House, please follow the instructions of the manager and abide by the designated hours. Accommodation fees and additional facilities such as exercise vary depending on the Seminar House, so please check Student Affairs Section website.

Now, let's head to Kamogawa Seminar House!

Day 1 [11:00] Take the JR Wakashio Express from Tokyo Station for about 2 hours to Awa-Kamogawa Station

Board the JR Wakashio Limited Express train (all reserved seats) from the underground Keiyo Line platform at Tokyo Station. After about two hours, you'll arrive at Awa-Kamogawa Station in the Sotobo area of Chiba Prefecture, taking in the lush green scenery and open sea.

I got off the JR Wakashio Express and arrived at Awa-Kamogawa Station. Since I'm staying overnight, I don't have much luggage. There is a convenience store at the station and a supermarket nearby, so it's a good idea to do your shopping here.

[13:00] It's finally time to check in to Kamogawa Seminar House!

From Awa-Kamogawa Station, take a taxi for about 15 minutes, go through a small tunnel, and you will see the letter "W" on a small hill in front of you. Turn the corner and walk up a steep slope to arrive at Seminar House. First, take off your shoes and change into slippers inside the building. Present the voucher you printed out in advance at the reception desk.

After receiving the key, let's go into the room! The room we stayed in this time was a six-person room. There were three bunk beds and space to open our suitcases. There was a small refrigerator, a table and chairs, and hand soap was provided in the toilet and washroom, so we could stay comfortably. There was no TV, but it was not inconvenient because there was Wi-Fi. From the window, we could see the surrounding mountains, the grounds, and Tennis Court.

The futon was soft and I was able to sleep comfortably. The washroom was kept clean. There is also a washing machine in the building. Please bring your own laundry detergent.

On the last day of your stay, please remove your pillowcases, duvet covers, and sheets and place them in a bag in the hallway outside your room. If you make a mess in your room, please clean it up yourself using the vacuum cleaner in the hallway.

The baths are shared and can be used from 16:00 to 22:00. Conditioner shampoo and body soap are provided, but you will need to bring your own towels, hairdryers, and change of clothes.

There are large and small baths, separated into men's and women's baths, and only the showers can be used from 6:30 to 7:30 in the morning. It's easy to forget your towel, so be sure to bring one with you. You can relax in the bath while soothing your fatigue, and your body will stay warm for a while after you get out.

[18:00-19:00] Fill your stomach with a delicious dinner that will blow away the fatigue of the day!

At Seminar House, breakfast is 770 yen per meal, lunch is 880 yen, and dinner is 1,210 yen. Dinner on this day was a good balance of vegetables, meat, and fish, including the main dish of sauteed pork, shumai, clam and radish salad, salad, and pickles, and there were also many small side dishes, making it very filling! The seasoning was just right and every dish was excellent. You can have more rice and miso soup. This time, we also ordered a special boat-shaped platter! The sashimi was fresh, firm, and chewy, and very delicious.

The boat-shaped platter costs 1,100 yen (market price) per person, and the photo shows a portion for seven people. On this day, the platter included alfonsino, yellowtail, abalone, tuna, salmon, and other fish, and the contents change depending on the season. In addition to the boat-shaped platter, hors d'oeuvres for multiple people are also available, and you can apply directly to the manager at least one week before your visit (please check the price).

Day 2 [7:30-8:30] Have a good breakfast and start your day off right!

On the second day, we will report on the activities of the Matsushima Laboratory, who came to the camp. Because there were many people staying that day, breakfast was served buffet style, so we were able to eat as much as we wanted of what we liked. In particular, the omelette was fluffy and gently seasoned, and delicious! Let's get some good nutrition and start the morning off right with energy.

On this day, in addition to rice and miso soup, there were also raw vegetables, boiled hijiki seaweed, rolled eggs, grilled fish, chilled tofu, nori seaweed, tsukudani, and pickled plums.

[9:00-12:00] Research presentations to present results and gain new insights

We spoke to students from the Matsushima Laboratory (Faculty of Science and Engineering, Professor Toshiyasu Matsushima) who were attending the camp to give a research presentation.

Shinpei Kikuchi, 2nd year master's student, Graduate School Graduate School of Fundamental Science and Engineering
Wang Yilun, 2nd year master's student at the same graduate school

(From left) Mr. Wang and Mr. Kikuchi

- How did you get to Kamogawa Seminar House?

Kikuchi: Everyone gathered at the location; some people came in their own cars, some in their seniors' cars, some by express train and taxi.

--Is this your first time using Seminar House? Also, what do you do at the training camp?

Wang: This is the third time. Every year, the Matsushima Laboratory goes to the Kamogawa Seminar House in the spring and the Karuizawa Seminar House in the summer. Professor Matsushima advocates the pursuit of excellence in both academics and sports, so we are active in both studies and sports to keep things balanced.

Kikuchi: On the first day, we have research presentations in the afternoon and evening, and on the second day, the presentations continue in the morning, and in the afternoon, we play sports such as tennis, softball, and soccer with the professor. The professor may be the most active (laughs).

-What do you think about using Seminar House?

Kikuchi: By staying together and eating and sleeping in the same room, you can deepen your friendship. In the Matsushima Laboratory, we usually have one master's student and one doctoral student study with each fourth-year undergraduate student. I think that by staying in the same room during the training camp and talking about various things and teaching each other across grade levels, you can deepen your connection.

Wang: Compared to other areas, Kamogawa is cool and comfortable. It's not too hot even when you're doing sports, and the indoor air conditioning makes it comfortable. The best thing about Kamogawa is the view! This spectacular view and the surrounding nature are great.

A scene from a seminar in the Matsushima Laboratory.  Wang presenting his research on stage.