Mr. Takeru Otsuki, Student, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies from Ukyo Ward

Interviewers/Authors: Kaito Ikeda, Ryoka Koga

Takeru Otsuki is currently a third-year student at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies in the Department of British and American Studies. He was born in Ukyo Ward and has lived there for 21 years. In this interview, we asked him about the charms and places of interest of Ukyo Ward, which he can tell us because he is from Ukyo Ward himself. 

―Why did you decide to enter Kyoto University of Foreign Studies? 

Takeru: I have loved English so much since I was in elementary school. I took English conversation classes when I was an elementary school student and enrolled in a high school that focuses on English education. Also, perhaps because I grew up seeing Ukyo Ward crowded with foreign tourists from a young age, I thought that learning English was essential. This is a university in Ukyo Ward with many international students and native English-speaking teachers, and there are always many different languages around. That is what attracted me to enter this university. 

―What is the most enjoyable thing about university life? 

Takeru: Of course, I enjoy learning English. Also, now that I’m a third-year student, I finally feel like a university student because there are fewer remote classes, and I can spend more time with my friends. I was studying abroad in Canada this spring semester and was not in Japan, so I think I feel that way even more so by comparing the fall semester of my second year and this semester. 

―What is your favorite place in Ukyo Ward?

Takeru: I like AEON MALL Gojo. I have a strong attachment to it because it has been my family’s favorite place to go shopping ever since I can remember. Families, students, the elderly, and many other people enjoy shopping there. It is located on the way to my home from the university, so I often go there when I want to buy clothes in the neighborhood. I also really like Arashiyama, although it is a famous place and frequented by tourists. I have good memories of riding on a rickshaw, and buying dumplings and eating them by the river with my family when I was little. 

―Are there any historical or famous places in Ukyo Ward that you think are special and interesting to others? 

Takeru: I think that would be Arashiyama Park. Compared to the urban atmosphere around our university, here you can enjoy the unique atmosphere of Kyoto. And not only the scenery of Kyoto—you can also enjoy eating sweet dumplings, yatsuhashi (a famous souvenir sweet of Kyoto) and other local Kyoto food. I feel that it’s a really nice place to visit as a local but it’s also very popular for foreign tourists and I often see many of them there. 

―If you were to describe Ukyo Ward briefly, what would come to mind?

Takeru: Ukyo Ward is a place that is both old and new. The areas around the university are developed so that there are many transportation facilities and buildings, but there are also many places where you can feel the unique atmosphere of Kyoto, such as Arashiyama, Atago Shrine, and Ryoanji Temple. I think there are many attractive places in Ukyo Ward. I don’t think that it is limited to this ward, but the streets laid out in a grid pattern reminds me of the old days. 

―What do you think about living in Ukyo Ward compared to other places?

Takeru: I can’t really make a comparison because I have never seen Ukyo Ward from an outside perspective, but this is the town where I was born and raised so I think it’s a very comfortable place to live. One of the reasons is the convenient transportation, but I think the comfortable atmosphere of the city is also a reason. Kyoto has building height regulations due to city ordinances, and there are no high-rise buildings like in Osaka, so it does not have an “urban” feel, and I really like the calm atmosphere. 

―Do you have any suggestions for Ukyo Ward?

Takeru: Since there are many tourists from overseas, I want the community and schools to collaborate and give students more chances to volunteer using the language they are learning. I have a friend who works part-time at a croquette store in Arashiyama, which also has many foreign customers who use English. I have talked with my friend about the possibility of an initiative to send students to such places.

―Do you have any dreams or goals for the future? 

Takeru: Since I enrolled in a university of foreign languages to learn English, I would like to have a job where I can use what I have learned. Although I have not decided on a specific job, I am interested in the airline industry or a service that provides English education. I would also be interested in a job related to Ukyo Ward, and I am also considering working in the tourism industry to promote tourism in Kyoto by finding ways to attract more tourists.

Interviewer’s Comments

During the interview with Takeru, we did not just learn about the charms of Ukyo Ward, but also felt very much that he loves Ukyo Ward, the ward where he grew up. He also had some suggestions on how to improve this ward as a local and as a student at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, and we hope that this ward will become an even better place.

(Kaito Ikeda)