Remote campus

My university, with its main campus situated in the city area of Shinjuku, has a campus in some "remote/ulu" area of Saitama Prefecture, one which people seldom visits.. Most of the facilities in Honjo (本庄) are brand new, yet it is seriously under-utilized.. It is more of a place for research laboratories than a place for classes or meetings.. It is really 鸟不生蛋 (literal translation: Even birds won't go there to lay eggs).

There is a dormitory for students (the 3rd photo below).. The rental is relatively cheap for its rooms are bigger than those in Tokyo area.. If one prefers to stay away from the maddening crowds of Tokyo, this is the perfect place to stay, with all the greenery and peace. One possible grouses would be the difficulty of getting food around the area.. One would need to cycle quite a distance to get one's groceries, as even the ever-present convenient stores are missing around the area..

Last Saturday, there was a mini conference held there which I had to attend.. From Omiya (大宮), I had to take Shinkansen to get to Honjo-Waseda Station.. There is a free shuttle bus service available to ferry students from Nishi-Waseda Campus but it was too early for me to catch it. Luckily the train fare were subsidized.. :)

After the conference, I walked around the campus, exploring.. with a few of my classmates.. Here are some of the photos I took around the area..









Would need to make another trip here again in May.. shall take more photos of the school facilities next time.. :)