The Government Palace, home to the Museum of Maritime and History of the Croatian Littoral in Rijeka, hosted, as part of the “A mountain of culture” (Brdo kulture) project, a conference entitled “Sakuramichi. Japan in 100 images” held by the professor at the Department of Physics of the University of Rijeka Rajka Jurdana Šepić. The event fit perfectly with the “Japan in Rijeka 2024” program, promoted by the Peek&Poke IT museum and dedicated to Japanese culture and technology, which began on May 15th and will end on the first day of July.
A mixture of emotions
Coming back from an unforgettable trip leaves a mixture of emotions. First of all, there is the enrichment due to leaving one’s routine, followed by a slight nostalgia for the places visited and the people met. Finally, one feels gratitude, for the indelible adventures lived and, even more, for the emotions felt. The heart is filled with vivid memories that seem almost unreal.
The speaker Rajka Jurdana Šepić also appeared enthusiastic about her adventure and was very skilled at capturing the attention of those present, delighting them with photos and videos she took and sharing the smallest details that she still remembers. The trip took place between the end of March and the beginning of April last year and after many months she is still called upon to testify to this experience of hers: “after 6 or 7 meetings in Rijeka but also in Cres, in to whom I spoke about Japan, I still can’t believe that anyone is still interested in my trip to that country, especially when there are so many other interesting events in the city”, said the very nice speaker.
His infectious energy made the presentation lively and engaging. Every joke and every story was a perfect balance of humor and culture, making everyone appreciate the beauty of Japan. “Sakura (cherry in Japanese) and Michi (way, journey or path) – Sakuramichi is the path along which cherry trees bloom. Having traveled in early spring, we happened upon the moment of flowering of these beautiful trees. But why in Japan you ask? I went there as a guest of Marko Jusup, one of the best students ever at the Faculty of Physics in Rijeka, who today lives and works in Japan with his family as a scientist. Rijeka has produced so many successful people and Marko is one of them: today he deals with changes in the study of the sea but also with human activities and influence on the oceans. He had been inviting me for a long time and I finally decided to go, accompanied by my husband.”
The curiosity
In her descriptions Jurdana Šepić did not focus on things that are well known, but tried to give her own opinion based on what she experienced. The Japanese – she observed – are distinguished by their attention to cleanliness, visible everywhere, from the impeccable streets to the immaculate public toilets. Security is another fundamental feature: you feel safe at any time of the day or night, wherever you are. Honesty is a value deeply rooted in Japanese society, and mutual trust is palpable. Despite the high population density, the Japanese manage to maintain surprising harmony in common spaces. Their courtesy is legendary, with gestures of respect and kindness that make every interaction enjoyable. Finally, consideration for others is omnipresent: the Japanese constantly strive not to disturb others, showing a unique level of respect.
“The connection between technology and culture is very palpable and therefore it is not unusual to see young people dressed in traditional kimonos making use of the latest mobile phones and other electronic devices. A very charming country where I would return many times again!”
In her descriptions, Rajka Jurdana Šepić talks about Japanese means of transport, describing them as “real arrows that take you to the other side of the country at 300 km per hour, very comfortable and give a great feeling of safety. And then it is there that you can notice the organization of the Japanese, who manage to leave the train without bumps and jostles in the 45 seconds available at each stop”.
During his trip, he was able to admire Mount Fuji from afar, the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing in Shibuya, and visited several cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama (which he compares to Rijeka) and Hiroshima. She also photographed herself in front of the Hachiko dog monument and entered, passing under the Torii, one of the many Shinto shrines, which, together with the Buddhist ones, are the most frequent in the country.
The teacher’s story, enriched by photos and videos, aroused in everyone present the desire to leave for Japan immediately. Before concluding, she spoke about Japanese gastronomic delights, leaving the audience salivating at the mere thought of Kobe beef, sushi and sashimi, matcha, fish-based delicacies and much more.
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