Thursday, June 30, 2016

1001 statues welcomed students at Sanjusangendo!

Most students got soaked yesterday by heavy rain at the Golden Pavilion.  The weather somewhat got improved a bit so no umbrella was quite needed.

In order to get to Sanjusangendo Temple we took the train though everyone can leave the temple by bus.

There are 1001 Senju Kannon (mercy Buddha with 1000 hands) in them temple, which is really overwhelming!

We will have the Sushi making party at school tomorrow, which will be followed by the visiting Mt. Iwata Monkey Park.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

First major rainiy day in Kyoto

Though it was the fisr major rainy day, our field trip did not stop.   After school, we went to Ritsumeikan University Zonshinkan Cafeteria to eat lunch before heading to the Golden Pavilion under rain.

Really shiny golden pavilion is great but the Golden Pavilion under rain.  Kyoto's rainy day has its own citizenship!   It seems that the rain will cease tonight and we will be welcomed by many statues at the temple tomorrow!

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine with thousands of Torii gate

In this rainy season, it was really lucky today not to have rain though the forecast said it would.  After lunch we took the rain going down to Fushimi Inari where many many tourists were hanging around.

Some made it on top of the Mt. Inari after walking through thousands of Torii gates.

We will be hanging around school tomorrow by visiting the Golden Pavilion after eating lunch at Ritsumeikan University cafeteria.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Yasaka Shrine to Kiyomizu-dera Temple via Kodaiji Temple

In the school, students had a chance to wear Kendo Gear (Thw way of Sword) and took some pictures.

Afternoon trip began from Gion or the Torii gate of Yasaka Shrine and walked to Maruyama Park (famous for Cherry Blossom).  We walked up to Kodaiji temple built next to Ryozan Kannon (huge outside buddha for mercy)

From Kodaiji temple, we walked up to Kiyomizudera temple through Ninen-zaka and San'nen-zaka which are all filled with tourists!

No rain, it was good!

Friday, June 24, 2016

The Zoo and Nanzenji Temple under rain!

In this rainy season, raining seems to be inevitable but sometimes rainy day is better than hot and humid day which is very famous in Kyoto, more like infamous!

Animals are so close that we could really enjoy their lovely behavior!  After having a bit fun, we were headed to Nanzenji temple and Lake Biwa Canal.

Not bad as a first week of the program!

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Eikando stands quietly at the east end of Kyoto

After school, we took a group photo in front of Kyoto International Academy.
In the morning it was raining a bit but in the afternoon it stopped and got really heated with steam.

At least we were still in the cooler area of Kyoto, so everyone is still surviving, I suppose.

We will enjoy with some animals at Kyoto City Zoo tomorrow!

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Osaka Castle waited for us in the slight rain!

We got another group from Georgia (Gerogia Southern University).  Three groups are becoming one now.  COD, EALC, and GSU.  Total 31 studnets!!  Big group!

Our afternoon trip today was to Osaka Castle.  Not bad weather on the way to get to the Castle but slight rain began towards the end of the trip.

In Japan, today is the first day of the Senator Election for which Shingo's friend id running!

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Rain stopped and drove us to Heian Jingu Shrine

It was heavily raining over night but it stopped while commuting to school in the morning and during the afternoon excursion to Heian Jingu Shrine and Kyoto Handicraft Center.

Everyone seems to be placed in the new classroom after the placement test and began settling down!

Though it is in the midst of rainy season, so far so good.

By the way, while Shingo is commuting to school, he bumped into the Glenbrook South High School Japan trip group in the bus!

What a coincidence but it happened a lot during the summer in Kyoto! 

Monday, June 20, 2016

The first school day completed without problems!

The first school day was very hot and humid day without rain.  Everyone took a placement test and met teachers for the first time.

Everyone came to school on time as we practiced over the weekend.  After school we went to Ritsumeikan University to have lunch at its cafeteria before visiting Ryoanji Temple, the Rock Garden.

So far so good.  It seems to be raining tomorrow!

Friday, June 17, 2016

Summer Study Abroad Begns without any problems!

COD JAPAN Study Abroad Program began without any problems.  We have gathered at the designated gate at about 4:30am way early in the morning at O'Hare then our flight left for San Francisco where we switched the plane for Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan.

Long flight but the excited flight arrived in Osaka on time and were transferred to Kyoto International Academy by 7pm to meet with host families.

On Saturday morning (this morning), we practiced commuting to school under sun shine!

Our actual study activity will begin on Monday 6/20!