12 of 12: A Day in June 2026

Photo above by (and with) Alexandra Botoş, JCI Romania, who is a good friend of a friend. I met her at the sake brewery tour. We decided to take a selfie for that friend.

It’s June 12, and I’m documenting the 12th of the month with 12 photos. Thank you to Caro from Draußen nur Kännchen for keeping the tradition alive. 😊

I’m currently attending the Asian Pacific Conference (ASPAC) of my favorite association Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Niigata, Japan. It’s my first time to attend an ASPAC. I look forward to learn about new things and to talk to people from all around the world.

1/12: I wake up at 7:00 in my hotel room and wonder if I should rush to join the first training session at 9:00. Since I feel tired, I decide to take it easy, take a shower and inform myself about what to do in the city.
2/12: From my window, I can see the shuttle bus to Toki Messe, the conference’s venue. I decide to take a pleasant 30-minute walk to the venue.
3/12: The conference and the city offer a great variety of activities. I choose to attend the “Leading a Generational Team” training. JCI trainings are just the best opportunity to engage with people! 😊 I’m curious if cultural differences exist on this topic. Apparently not. 😅 This is our role play team (from left to right): Nino from Indonesia, me from Germany, David from Hong Kong, and Brosnan from Hawaii. (Photo by Nino)
4/12: After the training, I rush to the lunch venue and choose the food stall with the shortest line. I exchange my vouchers for an onigiri (rice ball) lunch to go. On my way out, I grab a cup of edamame, forgetting that I need to carry the trash with me because there are no public trash cans in Japan. 😅
5/12: It’s a 30-minute walk through residential area from the conference venue to the Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery where I booked a guided tour. It’s not too hot. However, I would still appreciate some shade!
6/12: The only English-language brewery tour of the day is conducted by an excellent German guide. I love that every byproduct of sake production can be used! After the tour, I treat myself to a break and some ice cream (made of a byproduct) at the brewery’s shop. 😋
7/12: I walk to my hotel, where I finally eat my onigiri lunch and have a very soft and tasty chestnut mochi as dessert. I postpone going back to the conference and have a short nap instead, while listening to Jane von Klee’s SEO webinar.👂💤
8/12: Back at the conference, I attend the JCI Senate Opening Ceremony. JCI Senators are honorary JCI members, that are over 40 years old, I therefore appreciate the large “old-eye” font size used for the talk’s translation.
9/12: At some point I need to go to the toilet. In Japan, these are always abundant, free, high tech, and spotless.
10/12: I stroll through the Malaysian, Bangladeshi, Singaporean, Hong Kong, Taiwanese, Mongolian, and Korean “Nights”. The parties are often packed, loud, and full of fun games, such as this arm-wrestling. After unsuccessfully trying to find something to eat, I decide to head downtown. My request for dinner companions on WhatsApp goes unanswered.
11/12: I end up at a tasty gyoza restaurant, ran by an elderly couple. I wonder if they were working because they needed to make ends meet or if they did it for fun. I was told that many elderly people in aging Japan had to work, because their pensions weren’t enough.
12/12: The owner and I have a short, nice conversation using DeepL. They have been running this restaurant already for 42 years. I go back to my hotel around the corner and enjoy a relaxing evening.

How was your day? Let me know in the comments! 😊

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By Shau Chung Shin

I am a designer, businesswoman and founder of HAHAHA Global and Gesund in MeinerStadt. I develop solutions and products that encourage an open and positive approach to taboos. In doing so, I contribute to a healthier and more peaceful world.

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