Saturday, April 4, 2015

Oooh, nasty rain so we will leave Kyoto for Chicago!

We were again lucky probably even luckier than last year Spring trip!  We had some slight rain during the trip but over all Japanese traditional Sakura welcomed us and fully bloomed as if planned.

It is raining this leaving day.  Kyoto is just crying for us because of our leaving for Chicago.
Thanks again and we will back here next Spring though our college calendar changes so the trip will be in mid March!

GTS also leads the study abroad trip to Kyoto this summer (6/25-7/30) so I will greet Kyoto again soon.

To many of my friends in Kyoto assisted me for this trip one way or another, THANK YOU!

The last day of this trip was in Nara

Kintetsu train took us to Nara where many deer walked and played around.  Along the crowd of deer we proceeded to the main Buddha Hall of Todaiji temple where the gigantic Buddha Image was sitting.

We walked up to April Hall and February Hall from which everyone enjoyed viewing Nara city under blue sky.

While feeding deer we walked around the Park to get back to Nara station area where we had late lunch break before heading back to Kyoto.

In Kyoto station we walk up to the roof top square (Happy Gardens) and walk through Skyway to enjoy Kyoto city view.

Perfect weather recovered in Arashiyama.

A city bus took us to Daikakuji Temple where everyone had a chance to participate Shakyo (Buddhist Scripture Writing).  After the activity and observation, we walked along the Osawa Pond attached to Daikakuji where Cherry blossoms had just bloomed in full.

After lunch near the Randen Arashiyama Station, we visited Tenryuji temple, Nonomiya Shrine via famous bamboo path.

From the top of the mountain we could see tiny boats in the river below as well as cherry blossoms in the mountain.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Philosophizing under slight rain!

We were under slight rain all morning long while visiting Heian Jingu Shrine and Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavilion).

Though slightly raining, we were able to philosophize along the Philosopher's Trail with a camera in hand.

Everyone enjoyed shopping at Kyoto Handicraft Center before heading back to the center of Kyoto city.

At night we went to Gion to enjoy a glimpse of Japanese Traditional Cultural Performance, such as Bunraku (Puppet Theater, Tea Ceremony, Flower Arrangement, Gagaku, Kyogen, etc)

It was again the great day under slight rain!