Boston

Before coming to Japan, I lived in Boston for a while. I was a student there for a year, and I worked a few part-time jobs there for another 6 months or so. I love Boston as a city - there’s so much to see and do, whether you’re living there or just visiting.

The first thing to know about Boston is that it’s COLD in the winter. This is what I always tell people from warm, sunny Okayama.  In Boston, the average low in winter is around -5°C, and it snows a lot every year. This can interfere with travel plans, so I don’t recommend going there during the coldest months of January and February.

Every other season is quite nice, and offers a variety of things to do in and around the city. The summers are actually very hot, so it’s a good time to go whale-watching or check out a nearby beach. You can also walk along the “Freedom Trail,” a 4-km walk that stops along many of the city’s famous historical landmarks, including important buildings and monuments.

If you’re a food-lover, Boston has a lot to offer. It’s famous for seafood, especially lobsters and clam chowder. There are plenty of great restaurants around the harbor, each with their own style. And if you like beer, try a Sam Adams with your meal!

 

Everyone knows the Red Sox (baseball), and you might have also heard of the Celtics (basketball), the Bruins (ice hockey), or the Patriots (football). Bostonians love their sports teams, and they’ve been extremely successful over the past 15 years. If you visit Boston, try to catch a game at Fenway Park. Even if you’re not a sports fan, you’ll feel the energy of the crowd. There’s nothing like it.

If you’ve been coming to NEO for a long time, you might remember Shawn. He was the teacher before me. He’s been working in Boston ever since he moved back to the U.S., so I’m sure he knows much more than I do!