Seminar House Two

I am dorming it here (also known as Seminar House #2) in what is suppose to be a Japanese  style room.  What this means is that I sleep on the floor on top of a futon and the floor itself is covered with Tatami mats.  Tatami mats are traditional Japanese flooring.  Made of woven straw, and traditionally packed with straw (though now a days sometimes with Styrofoam), tatami are made in individual mats of uniform size and shape, bordered by brocade or plain green cloth.  Two people people to a room with two desks, closets, and a table (sadly or maybe a good thing, no TV and they aren't allowed in the room, 'chucks Xbox back into bag').  The dorm has a common lounge, computer room, dining area, and huge kitchen. The care takers are an older married couple that live on the first floor which we call with affection Otosan and Okasan (literally translated Father and Mother but this actually a title as if I was to relate to my own parents I would say haha or chichi).  Outside there are a few parking spaces for cars (as none of us are allowed to have a car...) but plenty of bike parking for those who buy a bicycle.  There is a nice small park near the dorms and about ten minute walk will get you to one of two different supermarkets.  An interesting feature of Japan is that there are vending machines everywhere.  Now according to my friend, statically speaking for every 17 people in Japan there is a vending machine (while this probably in no way right, I am inclined to believe it).  On a side note, there are almost no food vending machines rather they all carry either beverages or cigarettes, and yes they do have beer vending machines too (I love Japan...I mean...)