Lab's Sketch
Over anything else, it's best to play ping-pong when tired from being too engrossed in research!

We refresh ourselves by playing sports during breaks in our work. When work is completed late in the afternoon, without being prompted, everyone congregates at the ping-pong table in the second floor landing of the research wing and the Tobita Laboratory Cup Ping-pong Tournament begins.

Engrossed with writing papers on the computer and conducting various experiments, these thrilling games release excess energy from exercise-deprived bodies. "Our stress levels are at their peak especially right before a paper's deadline, so we really get worked up in these games," says Mr. Tsubota, a 4th-year student.

Aside from ping-pong, we also enjoy playing catch, soccer, frisbee, badminton and other sports, bringing in our own equipment. We don't often go out to party mainly because our campus is somewhat far from the nearest town, so through sports we deepen our interactions and solidarity. Our days as researchers are filled with trial and error, which we try to overcome with our physical and mental strength.