Friday, June 30, 2017

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.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

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!!

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

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!

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

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!

Monday, June 26, 2017

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.

Friday, June 23, 2017

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!

Thursday, June 22, 2017

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!

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

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!

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

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!