Fall 2017 is now over!

2017 Fall semester is over now.

25 students out of 35 students of Japanese 1101 survived!  Now 2018 Spring semester is welcoming students.

Spring classes are:

Japanese 1101   5:00-6:50pm (Mon/Wed), 10:00-11:50am (Tue/Thu), 12:00-1:50pm (Tue/Thu)
Japanese 2202   1:00-2:50pm (Mon/Wed)
Japanese 2252   3:00-4:00pm (Mon/Wed)

Spring Flower Viewing Trip to Kyoto, Japan is now full with 13 people!

Summer Study Abroad in Kyoto, Japan is now accepting application and 5 students have already admitted!

Japanese Classes in Fall semster 2017

GTS' 24th academic year at COD is just around the corner.  COD has been suffering declining the number of students for many reasons. 

Besides less and less students are taking night classes across the college.  Japanese classes are somehow surviving yet now hitting the wave.

The Fall classes will be:

Japanese 1101   10-12 (Mon/Wed) (TUE/THU)  12-2pm (TUE/THU) 7-9pm (TUE/THU)
Japanese 1102   5-7pm (MON/WED)
Japanese 2201   12-2pm (MON/TUE)
Japanese 2251   3-4pm (MON/TUE)

Spring Field Trip to Kyoto, Japan (Humanities 1800) can be also registered now!!
The trip is from 3/24/2018-4/1/2018

GTS completed re-networking in Kyoto relations!

After the Summer Program 2017, GTS work did not stop here in Kyoto but took care of all the possible network for future program. 

Kyoto has been known to be fairly closed society despite the fact that Kyoto was the former capital for over 1000 years.

GTS' human network in Kyoto must be kept very healthy so that GTS' future students could maximize their benefit.  GTS als discussed with Kyoto International Academy over the program next year as well.

COD Fall semester is now just around the corner!

The final excursion to Nanzenji Sanmon!

The final excursion of the program 2017 was to climb up the Nanzenji Sanmon!  This was the first time during the history of Japan Study Abroad and GTS did want to do this as the final excursion.

It was located 5 minutes away from GTS' residence as well as Kyoto City Zoo, which we could not visit this time!

The excursion program began at northwestern part of Kyoto (the Golden Pavilion) and ended at the eastern temple this year!

It was one the greatest trips I have ever had!  Thank you, all!

The Silver Pavilion!

Only 5,6 days left in this trip.  We visited Ginkakuji (The Silver Pavilion) and the Philosopher's trail near by though no one seemed to philosophies but thinking of the weekend to come.

Silver Pavilion are a is the area GTS was born over 50 years ago and the temple is, of course, still there as well as some shops.

Though it is hot and humid but far better than usual summer!

During the weekend, some goes to Obama (to swim in Fukui Prefecture), Universal Studio (to enjoy in Osaka), to Tokyo (to meet family members), etc.

7/17 is the Gion Festival climax so we will meet many float and portable shrines on Monday morning!

Nishijin Textile and Kimono Show

Finally the rainy season called tsuyu is over and real humid and hot day has begun.

It got to 95F outside so it was the best to be inside to enjoy the Kimono Show.

It is the quality in Kyoto Nishijin Textile, which is one of the most famous stuff here!

Now the summer has just begun!

Bamboo Walk to Daikakuji Temple!

Afternoon trip began from Randen train Kitano Hakuibai-cho station to get to the famous Arashiyama.

We did walk through the tiny part of the bamboo walk so we continued to walk through bamboo forest via Nonomiya Shrine and Nisonin to get to Daikakuji Temple.

At Godaido in Daikakuji Temple, everyone has a chance to do SHAKYO (Buddhist scripture Han'nya Shingyo hand copying)

On the way back from the temple was, of course, by Kyoto city bus!

Half a group was lost in Nara! But......

Today was the Nara day!  It was really hot and humid and GTS pedometer says over 23000!

First we visited Todai-ji temple with many native deers and some successfully crawled through  the nose hole of Buddha prepared in the huge column.

Then we went up to the April hall from which we could view the Nara city!

Our final destination was supposed to be Kasuga Grand Shrine but just about half a group made it.

From Kasuga Grand Shrine we walked to Sagi-ike Pond and walked through the Higashimuki shopping street back to Kintetsu Nara Station.

Nijo castle in heat and Ninja Restaurant

After rainy Sunday, it was a hot and humid day today but Nijo Castle Squeaking corridor was still waiting for everyone.

5 students gathered in the evening and went to Ninja Restaurant not to eat but to enjoy the traditional Japanese music show.

Giant Buddha image is waiting for us tomorrow in Nara!

Weekend Peace Study and Miyajima!

Over night Hiroshima Trip gave everyone a new experience!  As soon as we get to Hiroshima, we walk around in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park where we could stop by all the important spots including the hypo-center.

After walking around we visited the museum (under renovation) where we had a chance to listen to the first-hand story by the A-bomb survivor and made everyone think what they should live from now on.

At night, Students from Hiroshima Jogakuin Univerisity made their presentation about food in Hiroshima and taught everyone how to make Origami Crane!  They also took some students to the mid town for dinner and other enjoyment!

The second day (today) was for visiting Miyajima by ferry boat and went through Itsukushima Shrine under heavy rain!

It was a long bus trip but hopefully everyone had memorable experience.

Monkey and Bunraku

It was rather hot and sunny day for us to climb up the My. Iwata to see many monkeys.  We are in the cage to feed monkeys outside.

It was really hot and humid day to climb up and down the monkey mountain.   We , however were eneded up at Gion to see Japanese traditional performance, such as tea, flower, Koto, Gagaku, Kyogen, and Bunraku!

Meiji Snack Factory!!

Finally the rain stopped and began hot and humid day again! Class was dismissed a bit earlier and quickly getting to the Meiji Factory area to have 20 minutes lunch break!

Everyone got a snack as a gift and had fun to see the process of making snacks!

We will get to the monkey mountain and later traditional Japanese performance in Gion at night!

Creating the unique Cup Noodle!

Light rain continued but our afternoon trip was to go to the Instant Noodle Museum in Ikeda-city, where Ando Momofuku, the inventor of cup noodle resided.

Every student had a chance to make her or his own cup noodle with designing by him or herself.
Some took only a few minutes, but some others took long time to make more exquisite design!

Another fun day even raining!  We will go to Meiji Snack Factory tomorrow!!!!

Heian Jingu Shrine with typhoon

Typhoon brought us a lot of rain while visiting Heian Jingu Shrine Garden and Kyoto Handicraft Center.

Rainy garden is often beautiful but it was a bit too much this afternoon, though it almost ceased soon.

We gathered again in Shijo so that we could visit Gion Corner to see the Japanese traditional performance show.

Guess what, the show was cancelled due to the typhoon though not much rain any more.  They must have decided early this afternoon!!!!

We will do revenge visit on coming Friday!!

New week with the Phoenix Pavilion!

On Saturday, some went to the ball park to see Professional baseball game, Tigers vs. Swallows!
Tigers won! so everyone got excited.

On Sunday, some went to Kenbukai Dojo to learn some martial arts technique as well as sword man ship.

Monday today, after lunch everyone was headed to the Phoenix Pavilion which is famous for Ten yen coin design.  Though it was quite hot and humid, having no rain was good!

Typhoon is approaching now so it will rain tomorrow but not bad for Heian Jingu Shrine Garden!

Sushi/Okonomiyaki Making/Eating party and Eikando

Everyone had to learn how to make Sushi rolls as well as Okonomiyaki!  After corroboratively making Sushi and Okonomiyaki, we all enjoyed them.

Wasabi competition was fun as well.   After eating we left for Eikando which is famous for Japanese maple leaves though not colorful yet.

Everyone could enjoy inside the main hall and the garden around it.  We could go up to the tower to see Kyoto city from the eastern mountain side.

SanjuSangendo Temple!

Keihan train took us to the Sanjusangendo Temple quickly and 1001 Buddha of Mercy (Senju Kannon) greeted us.  It was a cloudy day today so it was quite nice to avoid any sun burn!   Everyone seems to be getting familiar with Kyoto city bus system after getting lost a few times. 

It is learning!!

Osaka Castle!!

After lunch, we gathered at Demachi Yanagi Train station to get on the Express to Osaka.  From Kyobashi station we walk through several buildings including Panasonic Twin 21 tower to get to Osaka Castle main tower.

Not that hot and humid, not quite a rain, so it was a good day for visiting there!

Mt. Inari to Tofukuji Temple.

After school, everyone gets to Demachiyanagi Train Station where we had lunch.  Keihan train took us to the Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine from which we went through 1000 tori gates to the top of Mt. Inari.

We went down to the other side of the mountain to visit Tofukuji Temple.  We walked a lot but a good walking for exercise!

Yasaka Shrine to Kiyomizu Temple

It took quite a while from the school to get to Gion after lunch as not everyone is familiar in the school area to eat lunch.

Split into several groups to get to Gion where we begin from Yasaka shrine to go to Kiyomizu temple via Maruyama Park, Kodaiji Temple, Ryozan Kannon, Sannnei-zaka, Ninen-zaka, Kiyomizu-zaka.

Hot humid day really has begun so we will have some struggles from now on to fight against this lovely weather.

Tenryuji Temple to the Mt. top of ARASHIYAMA

Finally the real hot and humid Kyoto arrived!  (Still not too bad) Having a lunch around Kitano Hakubaicho Randen train station, we left for Arashiyama where we could see the whole Kyoto city from the western mountain area.

Walking through a part of bamboo forest and we got to the top of Arashiyama park from which monkey mountain and river could be viewed.

Some are going to Tokyo this weekend and others may be wondering around Kyoto city this first weekend!

The Golden Pavilion Welcomed us!

Unlike the heavy rain yesterday, it was a beautifully clouded day today so that we did not have to worry about sunburn and too much heat!

After having lunch at Zonshinkan Cafeteria at Ritsumeikan University we walked up to the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji-Temple). 

Though there were very many tourists, we have managed to go through the garden.

A few students in the morning still got a bit lost on their way to school but everyone seems to be getting better now!

Rock Garden under the rain welcomed us!

First full day of the study abroad program has begun with heavy rain.  After having a lunch at Ritsumeikan University Ryoyukan Cafeteria, we went to Ryoanji temple and the Rock Garden in the rain was also mysteriously beautiful!

For most students today was a commuting challenge but everyone made it and will have no problem about it!

Many including GTS are suffering a bit from the Jet lag but will be alright soon!

Study Abroad Japan 2017 has begun!

On Tuesday 6/20/17, College of DuPage Group safely arrived at Narita, then Osaka, then Kyoto!  Everyone is fine though exhausted.  Our first morning in Kyoto is greeting rain in the rainy season but we will enjoy every moment in Kyoto!

First day will have the placement exam as well as first field trip to Ryoanji Rock Garden after lunch at Ritsumeikan University where GTS was graduated from years ago!

Back to the "normal" life!

As soon as coming back to Chicago, the regular life re-began.  Some didn't come back to class and there will be fewer students to complete every class!

Summer Study Abroad 2017 is now ready to leave for Japan on Monday 6/19/2017 with over 15 students like last year!

We will be joined by 10 students from Gerogia Southern University in Kyoto, which is very exciting!
Regular summer course at COD will offer Japanese 1101 and its students can continue to study Japanese 1102 in Fall.

The Fall semester classes are now announced.

Japanese 1101  (M/W 10-12, T/Th 10-12, 12-2, and 7-9pm)
Japanese 1102  (M/W 5-7pm)
Japanese 2201  (M/W 1-3pm)
Besides these classes, Japanese 2251 is under planning for those who completed Japanese 2202.

Spring Japan Trip 2018 has been proposed and soon to be announced!

Heading back home!

We will get back to Chicago soon!  We will leave Osaka for Haneda, Tokyo then switch to the international flight to Chicago.

It was a bit sad trip as the cherry blossoms did not bloom but at least everyone including GTS got energized to refresh ourselves to move forward!

GTS will come back to Kyoto in June with over 15 students for COD Study Abroad!

The Final Destination ---Osaka Castle!

Today was the final whole day and the weather did recover but not enough for cherry blossoms to bloom!

There are so many cherry trees in Osaka Castle area but a little sad scenery without cherry blossoms blooming though everyone enjoyed climbing up in the Castle main tower to see the whole Osaka.

Hokoku Shrine's cherry was blooming behind the statue of Hideyoshi Toyotomi!!

It was still a nice day but we are still missing flower!

Could not philosophize under rain but.....

Before having rain we visited Nanzenji-temple to see the beautiful complex and then proceeded to Eikando temple where everyone got into the main building and walked around!

From Eikando, we stopped by Nyakuoji Shrine which is the starting point of Philosopher's Path!
Rain got heavier but we got ourselves admitted into the Silver Pavilion from which we could leave for the downtown to dismiss for today.

A lot of free time made students happy!

Han'nya Shingyo Scripture Writing

City bus number 91 took us to Daikakuji Temple where we enjoyed brush writing of Buddhist scripture writing.  After visiting Daikakuji, we did so-called SAGANO MEGURI to get to Nonomiya Shrine through the bamboo forest.

After having lunch in the Arashiyama train station area, we visited Tenryu-ji Temple.  We could view the entire city from the western mountain area.  We will see the similar view from the eastern mountain area tomorrow!

Tonight was the group dinner night where everyone talked, laughed, and tasted some traditional food.

Finally the Cherry Blossoms began blooming but......

The Golden Pavilion and the Rock Garden

We started a little late this morning to visit the Golden Pavilion and the Rock Garden (Ryoanji) before going to Ritsumeikan University (GTS is graduated from) to have a lunch at its cafeteria.

After lunch we visited Kitano Tenmangu Shrine via Hirano Shrine and finally reached Nishijin Textile Center where some got nice fabric and other souvenirs!

1001 statues welcomed us!

We were welcomed by 1001 images of Buddha of mercy at Sanjusangendo Temple first in the morning.  We got there even before its opening.  Then we took bus to Gojo-zaka from which the Tea Bowl Slope path too us to the Kiyomizu-temple.

After viewing the city's south we left for Maruyama park and Yasaka Shrine via Three-year path and Two-year path though regrettably the most famous cherry blossoms were not bloom yet.

After lunch in Gion area, we went to Heian Jingu Shrine and its garden before visiting Kyoto Handicraft Center where they took a couple of hours to explorer souvenir shopping.

The night show of Japanese tradition performance  at Gion Corner was fabulous.

Phoenix and thousands of Torii gates welcomed us

We went out from the Kyoto city again to get to the Phoenix Pavilion in Uji city which is famous for its tea.  Though Sakura flower did not bloom yet certainly welcomed us.  While walking back to the train station along the Uji river, we saw the official opening day ceremony of Cormorant fishing.

On the way back to the city center we stopped by at the Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine which is famous for its thousands of Torii gates.  We tasted mysterious atmosphere with many many visitors through the Torii gate tunnel.

We had a lunch break in Kawaramachi Sanjo where many students tried to enjoy REAL sushi.  After lunch the city subway took us to the Nijo Castle from which we walked back to the hotel through Shinsen'en.

It was another beautiful day!

Nara day passed wonderfully!

The real first day in Kyoto really began with Nara day!   First, the city bus took us to the Kyoto station where we could get to Nara by Kintetsu train.  Under the good sun, we visited Todai-ji temple to greet the giant Buddha image and walk through February Hall from which we could see the entire Nara city.  

We continued to walk though Tamukeyama Hachimagu, Wakakusa-yama park to get to Kasuga Grand Shrine where we are luckily bumped into Shinto Style Wedding Ceremony.

After lunch in Nara station area, we went to back to Kyoto central city area where we walked along Nishi Market Street.  Though it started to rain, there was not much negative influence on our daily plan!

2017 Spring Trip to Kyoto has begun!!

With 13 participants, GTS annual Spring Field Trip to Kyoto for flower viewing has just begun.  Very good group of all ages (19 through over 60).  Our All Nippon Airways flight from Chicago departed on time and arrived in Narita about 30 minutes earlier which gave us ample time of changing currency and exploring Narita International Airport.

We took flight from Narita to Itami, Osaka from where we go to Hotel in Kyoto by monorail and Hankyu subway.

Everyone has been exhausted but very fine and we will go to Nara tomorrow to see the Giant Buddha image while feeding many deer in Nara park area!

Stay tuned!

Happy New Year! The Year of Rooster has come!

Year 2017, the Rooster year has just begun and GTS is ready to move forward to raise cultural awareness with colorful diversity.  The focus is always between USA and Japan but trans-cultural undrstanding has no border!

COD Japanese class will begin on Monday 1/23/2017 so still three weeks remain to register the class.  All the classes are GO (green light) and Spring Trip to Japan has 13 participants and Sakura, the Cherry Blossoms, will wait for us!

JAPANESE 1101      TUE/THU      10am-12noon, 12noon-2pm, and 7pm-9pm
JAPANESE 1102      MON/WED    10am-12noon
JAPANESE 2201      MON/WED     5pm-7pm
JAPANESE 2202      MON/WED     1pm-3pm


Summer Study Abroad Program to Kyoto, Japan is also coming!
The orientation is 5/21-22/2017 (Sat-Sun)
The trip  6/19/2017-7/20/2017

Already 15 students have partially submitted the application and most likely be admitted!

Have a wonderful year!