California Association of Japanese Language Teachers

President

Kumi Kobayashi
(Los Gatos High School)

Q. If you could visit only one place in Japan, where it would be and Why?

A. Dazaifu Tenmangu⛩️ This is a shrine in my hometown where I have lots of memories.

Vice President

Chie Fujie
(Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School)

Q. If you could visit only one place in Japan, where it would be and Why?

A. I would visit my grandmother’s grave since I haven’t been able to go since she passed. After that, I’d go to Hokkaido for all the great food!

Secretary

Stuart Jones
(Torrance High School)

Q. If you could visit only one place in Japan, where it would be and Why?

A. As we drove by the Mt. Fuji area in late-July, I saw many people enjoying day trips or glamping, windsurfing, and having a picnic on the shores of the lakes. I’d love to go back and do something like that!

Treasurer/
Membership

Yuki Takeuchi
(CSU Bakersfield and Bakersfield College)

Q. If you could visit only one place in Japan, where it would be and Why?

A. Saku city, Nagano ⛰! I spent 3 years in the high school dorm and met life time friends and my mentor there. A lot of fantastic memories, and they made me who I am today.

College
Liaison

Junko Ito
(UC Davis)

Q. If you could visit only one place in Japan, where it would be and Why?

A. I cannot choose just one place, but I really like Kamakura. Visiting the temples there makes me feel calm and at peace.

K-12
Liaison

Emily Kariya
(Santa Monica High School)

Q. If you could visit only one place in Japan, where it would be and Why?

A. Anywhere that is cool and comfortable, especially in the summertime.

Co-Media
Coordinator

Diana Gomez
(Everett Alvarez High School)

Q. If you could visit only one place in Japan, where it would be and Why?

A. Aizu in Fukushima prefecture! There’s the best tonkatsu restaurant, the most delicious “asa-ramen,” and the cutest bakeries!

Co-Media
Coordinator

Michelle Lupisan
(Salinas High School)

Q. If you could visit only one place in Japan, where it would be and Why?

A. Yokohama, because that’s where my best friend, her husband, and their newly born son live!