Arrival in Japan & First Impression

I arrived at Tokyo Haneda International airport with my family – my wife and younger daughter. We were informed beforehand by my mentor Dr Masako Tsukanaka about the ways to reach Moriyama, Shiga prefecture. We took the Shinkansen (Bullet train) from Shinagawa station to Kyoto station. On the way, we were lucky to catch a glimpse of the famous Mt. Fuji. The experience itself on the Shinkansen was a surreal one. Such high speed on the outside but still so much comfortable inside. Once in Kyoto, we took another train to reach Moriyama station, Shiga. Our hotel was close to the station so we were able to walk to it and check in.

First day at Shiga Children’s hospital

Dr Tsukanaka came to receive me at the hotel lobby in the morning. We travelled together to Shiga Children’s hospital. The hospital was around 10 minutes to reach by bus. Dr Tsukanaka introduced me to different departments, staffs and the hospital in general. On the first day, I accompanied Dr Tsukanaka in her Outpatient clinic. I got the opportunity to see many textbook Orthopedic cases that we rarely get to see in my home country Nepal like Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), Spondylo Epiphyseal Dysplasis Congenita (SEDC), etc.

Subsequent weekdays

On the next day, I got the opportunity to visit the Operating Room (OR). I scrubbed and observed the surgical correction of Congenital Kypho-Scoliosis in a 15 year old male child. The surgery performed was Anterior release and Pedicle screw fixation (First stage). I accompanied Dr Tsukanaka in the post-operative ward rounds on the following day. I got to see other cases in the ward like Conservative management of
Developmental Dysplasia of Hip (DDH) by gradual taction. I also assisted in Ponseti cast application of a child with clubfoot in the plaster room.

Kyoto visit

We travelled to Kyoto on our free day during the week. We visited the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kiyomizu-dera temples which are both picturesque locations. It was amazing to see the crowds of people thronging both sites and be a part of it.

JPOA Annual conference at Yokohama

After the week long stay at Moriyama, we travelled to Yokohama to attend the JPOA Annual conference. We attended the Presidential dinner and got the opportunity to meet other fellows. I did a Powerpoint presentation of my topic on the next day and it went well drawing discussion among the participants.

Tokyo Visit

We travelled to Tokyo on our free day after the conference. We visited the famous Senso Ji temple in Asakusa. It was picturesque and filled with crowds just like the famous Kyoto sites.

Departure & Conclusion

We departed from Tokyo after our 2 weeks stay. The stay was short but one filled with rich experiences. I as well as my family will cherish this trip throughout our lives. I would like to thank the JPOA again for providing me this opportunity & I look forward to visiting Japan again in future.

Dr. Abhishek Kumar Thakur (Nepal)