2023 Fall Semester ended with a few survivors and ready for the year 2024

 For Japanese 1101, total 15 students out of all three classes successfully completed and will move forward to Japanese 1102.  Spring semester 1102 will include these students as well as students from past semesters.

2nd and 3rd semester classes (1102 and 2201) had less than 10 students from the beginning so I decided to open Japanese 2252 which can hold everyone who passed 1102.   

There will be:   Japanese 1101    Mon/Wed  10-12, 1-3 (In-person) and 5-7 (Virtual)

                         Japanese 1102    Tue/Thu 12noon-2

                         Japanese 2252    Tue/Thu  10-11:15

Spring Break Cherry Blossom Trip to Kyoto, Japan has 16 students and we are ready to go! 

2023 Summer Study Abroad has completed and be ready for 2024 program

 Everyone got home safely despite the fact that there were students who suffered a bit from COVID-19.

Students' stamina is getting weaker and weaker, especially after the Pandemic.

The program had to be modified not only because of their stamina but also local weather and global warming.

The excusrion plan will be modified and will be suited to students next year!

Stay tyuned!

Commencement and Performance and gift from the school

 The commencement was successfully completed and everyone got the Certificate of Merit.

Each class gave the final performance, which is Singing the theme song of Evangerion and Drama act of Peach Boy.  Both were excellent and everyone did well.

Lunch was catered from local Bento place and everyone got the nice gift from the school.  The gift was the Seal (HANKO) which has each student name in Kanji and Katakana.

Everyone is now preparing for the departure tomorrow but do the final shopping, of course.

Finalizing the program at the city zoo after Okazaki Shrine

 COD one month Summer Study Abroad program is about to end.  It was difficult for us to plan daily trip as the weather here has not been very cooperative on top of the historically high temperature.

We, however, somehow survived and visited Okazaki Shrine which has been recently famous for the prospect finding and healty child bearing. 

Rabbit is the symbol of this shrine as you can find Maneki Usagi (usually Maneki Neko, or fotune calling cat, happy cat). It was also timely since year 2023 is the rabbit year which is my zodiac animal.

After Okazaki Shrine, we walked to the city zoo where everyone enjoyed.

Now the commencement is waiting.  

Monkeys were waiting for everyone under hot and humid weather over 98F

 After school we left Hakubaicho Randen Train Stop to go to Arashiyama where monkeys were waiting for us in Mt. Iwata Monkey Park.

Under the dangerously hot and humid weather everyone climbed up the mountain to meet monkeys and stayed in the cage around which monkeys are watching and asking some food.

The program is getting closer to the end and somehoe all the students have been managed to get to this date.

Few more days!

Finally climbing up the Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine and going down to Tofukuji Temple

 The best cludy weather helped us to climb up the Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine 1000 Torii Gate to the top of Mt. Inari.

Everyoone made it to the top and had a great view of Southern Kyoto from the yop of Mt. Inari.

We went down to other side of the mountain to visit Tofukuji Temple.  

Everyone seems ready for the long weekend to visit here and there before the final week coming up!

SHIMOGAMO SHRINE to Demachiyangi

 After Osaka Castle trip yesterday, we had a little light plan.   From the Bus terminal, we went to Shimogamo Shrine where everyone could check their own zodiac animal and pray at the specific altar.

Some played water fortune telling as Shimogamo Shrine is famous for the god of water.

From Shimogamo Shrine we went to where Kamo river and Takano river meets and took some group photo and play with rock hopping in the river.

Osaka Castle in the nice hot sunny day!

 Finally the weather got on our side so that we could visit Osaka Castle Main Tower.

Everyone did good job to meet Shingo at the train station without follwoing me.

Keihan Express took us to Kyobashi Station where we walked through Osaka Business Park (Panasonic Bulding Twin 21) to get to Osaka Castle.  

On the way back we stopped by at Hokoku Shrine which enshrines Hideyoshi, the boss of Osaka Castle.

Return trip was in the rush hour and we struggled to get on the train but everything went well, otherwise.

Sagano Bamboo Walk to Daikakuji Temple

 Original plan was to go to Osaka Castle but the weather forecast diverted the plan.

We went to Arashiyama where we had lunch and began strolling through Bamboo Road and had so-called Walking around Sagano area. 

We were hit by sudden heavy shawer at Seiryoji temple and waited for a while then headed to Daikakuji temple where we had Hannyashingyo Caligraphy experience before going back to the city center.

Tomorrow hopefully no rain and our Osaka Castle visit be successfully completed.

Northern Kyoto Trip Completed！

 Though the weather was not cooperating with us, our northen Kyoto Trip was quite successful.

Firstly, we visited Maizuru Port where we could see the histrory of aftermath of WWII.

Many Japanese POW Stayed longer in Russia after the war.  Shingo's grandpa was on the last ship from Russia coming back to Maizuru in 1957.

Then we went to Amanohashidate, one of three scenic views of Japan (other two are Matsushima and Itsukushima).  We were managed to go up to the mountain to see Amanohashidate(Heavenly Bridge) 

After lunch at the Seaside Center, we went to Ine which is famous for funaya house  built close to the sea surface of the Ine-wan bay 

This trip was joined by some host families and school teachers, so it was nice.

Hot and Humid Nijo Castle

 After walking a lot yesterday in Nara, we had a little light day to visit Nijo Castle.

Today's highest temperature was 36.8℃(98F) but real feeing was 39℃(102F)

Squeaking floor of the Ninomaru Hall in Nijo Castle woke everyone up before walking through the hot and humid garden.

Tomorrow is the trip to Amano Hashidate by bus though may be raining.

Finally we could visit Nara to greet many deer and the gian t Buddha image

 We had a Tanabata (Milky Way Festival) event.  Everyone made small piece of colored paper on which everyone wrote his or her wish and tied with Bamboo branch.

After the event we were headed to Kyoto Station where we had a lunch break.  Kintetsu Railway took us to Nara and we visited Todaiji-temple while feeding many deer with their special snack. 

After meeting with the Giant Buddha Image, we went up to Todaiji February Hall from which we could enjoy the nice view of Nara city.

Through Wakakusa yama mountain we reached Kasuga Grand Shrine before getting back to the Kintetsu train station through Higashimki Shopping Street.

Another hot and humid day.  Probably 20000 steps total?

After Hot and humid Tuesday, the rainy day Eikando comfort us.

 After lunch at the usual shopping mall, we went to Eikando temple to enjoy is complicated sturucture as well as a city view from the eastern part of Kyoto.

Though it was rainy a bit, we could visit Nanzenji temple after Eikando. We walked through Nanzenji temple and get to Heian Jingu Shrine bus stop.  We walked in front of the Shingo's condo.

Eikando and Nanzenji were good places to vist even under rain.

From Yasaka Shrine to Kiyomizu Temple via Kodaiji Tenple and Ryozan Kannon

 Originally we planned to go to Todaiji temple in Nara but Kyoto City Subway accident forced to reschedule it and we went to Kiyomizu temple instead.

100F outside temperture challenged us to walk around but we managed to reach Kiyomizu temple.

Yasaka Shrine was the main shrine for Gion Festival in July.  Kodaiji temple was where Hideyoshi's wife NENE resided in warrning states period in Japan.

From Kodai-ji temple we walked through Ninen-zaka and Sannen Zaka and climb up to Kiyomizu temple.

Visiting the Phoneix Pavilion (Byodoin) in the extremely hot and humid weather

 After school in the bus terminal, we had a quick lunch and headed to the Keihan Demachiyanagi Train Station to go to Byodoin (Phoenix Pavilion) in Uji city.

Only in the train and the musium in the Phoneix Pavilion are the place we can get away from the heat.

The beautiful Pavilion surrounded by many lotus flowers and leaves greeted us.

We went through the temple and got to Uji River Park where we could see many cormorant (for fishing). 

We walk along with Uji River to get back to the station. 

After Tea Ceremony Experience, Through Tenryuji to Bamboo Trail in Arashiyama

 The speacial event was the Tea Ceremony students had an experience.  We were headed to Arashiyama by Randen train from Kitano Hakubaicho.

Passing many tourists we enjoyed the garden of Tenryuji temple. From the small hill in the garden of the temple we could see Kyoto city in the rainy weather.

Going through Tenryuji temple, we could walk through the famous Bamboo taril to climb up the mountain.

Weekend weather seemed not too good but hopefully it recovers next week.

Varierty of lunch available at mall and Silver Pavilion (GINKAKUJI)

 Our new lunch place at Kitaoji Bus Terminal is quite fun as many kinds of food are available at resonable cost.

It seems everyone tries different one each time before the afternoon excursion.

We went to Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji-temple) and we could see the Kyoto City from the Higashiyama Mountain side.

Unstable weather hit us and it rained on the way back from Ginkakuji but it will clear up soon.

1001 Statues of Mercy Buddha greeted everyone in hot and humid afternoon at SANJUSANGENDO

 After school we wento the Kitaoji Bus Terminal where many shops and restaurants welcome us.

City bus 206 took us directly to Sanjusangendo tenple in about 40 min. Everyone felt rather long ride in uncomfortable weather yet convenient.

Hope everyone had a great time with Statues!

Yesterday's rain did not come today, so it was a good day.

Rained but rather beautiful at Ryoanji Temple （The Rock Garden）

 After class, we were headed to one of dining halls of Ritsumeikan University where I was graduated from over 35 years ago.

Students are by themselves could figured out how the system works and order lunch and enjoyed eating with their classmates.

Upon fishing lunch, we walked for about 5 minutes to get to Ryoanji Temple which was famouse for its Rock Garden.

The rainiy season might force me to reschedule afternoon trips but will cover all eventually.

THE First Day to school, then to the Golden Pavilion

 A few students left the their monthly train/bus pass and ended up being a bit late but overall everone performed well to communite to school.

First Lunch was at McDonald's, Famires (Family Restaurant) 100 yen rotation sushi, etc.

The golden pavilion is within the walking distance from the school.  After visiting the Pavilion, their first return home experience began.

I am looking forward to some stories next week.

Summer Study Abrad in KYoto, Japan successfully began!

 We have safely arrived in Kyoto yesterday afternoon.  In this unexpectedly expensive airfare time, we were lucky to get here in shortest way (Chicago-San Francisco-Osaka)

Immigration was smooth and took the airport bus to reach Kyoto Station where everyone met his/her host family.  

Now the challenge is if everyone can get to school alone from the host family (maybe assisted by the host family on the first day).

This is also the learning experience so every student will learn every experience.

Let's begin!

The Last Full Day in Nara with many deer

 We went to Kyoto Station to catch the Kintetsu train bound for Nara.  Upon arrival in Nara, we began walking while feeding many deer that vows to us.

Giant Buddha was  really surprizing everyone even though the Buddha hall is 2/3 of the original size.

After viewing Giant Buddha, we went up to April Hall, Nigatsu-do and Hokke-do.

Tamukeyama Hachimangu had a special ceremony with Japanee traditional istrument

From Tamukeyama Hachimagu, we go up to Mt. Wakakusa before getting to Kasuga Grand Shrine

Time Flies, We are getting back to Chicago tomorrow!

From the Eastern side of Kyoto: Ginkakuji Temple (The Silver Pavilion) and Nijo Castle Garden

 Everyone had an One-day Bus Pass to get to Nijo Castle first. Nijo Castle garden has plenty of full bloomed cherry blossoms that we could enjoy.

On the way to Nishijin Textile Center, we stopped by at Seimei Shrine enshrining ABE no SEIMEI, the Exorcist in 10th century.

In the Nishijin Textile Center, some got nice Ties as a souvenir, some got scarves, etc.

After eating lunch in Ginkakuji area where Shingo was born some 60 years ago, we visited Ginkakuji temple (The Silver Pavilion) then walked on the Philosopher's Trail.

The group continued on to Fushimi Grand Shrine to walk through 1000 Torii gate as well as climbing up to the top of Mt. Inari. 

From the Western side of Kyoto: Tenryu-ji Temple and the Monkey Park

 Randen train to us to Arashiyama directly from Shijo Omiya and began exploring Arashiyama Area where we visited the garden of Tenryu-ji first. We could see Kyoto city from the top its garden.

We went out from the North Exit to get to the Bamboo Forest through which we could reach the Mountain top scenic area.  We cood see beautiful mountain with Cherry color spots on the mountain.  

After the lunch break, we crossed the Togetsukyo Bridge and said hello to the Monkey Park.  In the park, monkeys seemed to enjoy being fed, playing among themselves.

The good weather allowed us to beable to see the entire Kyotocity from west end,

Another beautiful day was over.

Another 20000 steps included The Osaka Castle and The Phoenix Pavilion

 Beautiful days continued today and a Keihan train took us to both Osaka Castle and Phoenix Pavilion,  Though we were in the tran fairly long time we did walk quite a bit.

Our course was:

Gion Shijo to Kyobashi by Keihan train.  From Kyobashi station to Osaka castle through Osaka Business Park (OBP) where we had a lunch break.

After lunch Keihan train took us to Uji station where Ujigawa Park and Byodoin Temple are.

Another good day ended.

Over 25000 steps today was worth walking today

 Great lovely weather assisted us to walk a lot.  We began today with two different train rides to get to Sanjusangendo Temple, which is the old temple structure in Kyoto.  

After enjoying observing 1001 statues of Senju Kannon (Buddha for mercy w/1000 hands), we walked to Kiyomizu Temple  through Tea Bowl Slope (chawanzaka).

From Kiyomizu Dera Temple, we went through Sanneizaka (or Sannen Zaka) and Ninenzaka to Koudaiji Temple park area, then proceeded to Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine.

After late lunch, we walked from Yasaka Shrine to Heian Jingu Shrine via Chion'in Temple.

Upon finishing Heian Jingu Shrine garden walk, we walked to Subway Keage station near Lake Biwa Canal Incline rail with full bloomed Sakura.

City subway took us to Nijo and then walk back to the hotel.

Walked a lot today but worth doing so.

The nice weather also brought nice blooming

 The city bus took us to the vicinity of the Golden Pavilon where many students began collecting the official seal of each temple or/shrine.

From the Golden Pavilion, we walked to Ryoanji temple (the Rock Garden) via the main gate of Ritsumeikan University where GTS was graduated over 35 years ago.

We walked from Ryoanji tempe to Ritsumeikan University's cafeteria to eat lunch and to rest for a while.  After the good rest we walked to Hirano Shrine whch is well known as a flower viewing spot.

While students are observing vaious things in Kitano Tenmangu, GTS had to take care of few things at the language school for coming summer study abroad.

The weather is getting better for SAKURA viewing.

 A little chilly beginning turned around and SAKURA really begins opening.  The city bus took us to the vicinity of the Golden Pavilion where many students began Temple/Shrine's offcial seal book signature/stamo collection.

Though Sakura wasn't really blooming yet in the Golden Pavilion but Ryoanji (The Rock Garden) gave us some  beautiful blooming SAKURA.

After the Rock Garden, we took a lunch break  at the Ritsumeikan University cafeteria

Then we walked to Hirano Shrine in full bloom as well as Kitano Tenmanguu before heading back to Hotel.

Finally arrived in Kyoto during the almost full bloom of SAKURA

 From Chicago to first Washington DC to catch All Nippon Airways (ANA) flyng directly to Haneda.  

We arrived in Haneda almost at midnight.  Then Checked in nearby hotel to have a few hours rest (probably about 3-4 hours) then the hotel's shuttle took us to the terminal for domestic line to Kobe.

Just about hour flight brought us to Kobe Airport (for me, this is the first time to use this airport since its operation in 2006)

We had one hour breakfast break at the airport and then went to Sannomiya Station for Hankyu Line by 25 min bus ride.

From Sannomiya Station, Hanyu Limited Express took us to Shijo Omiya where our hotel is waiting for us.

It was raining and everyone is tired, we decided to go to Central area of Kyoto to stroll around.

Cherry is blooming so we will catch them!

Finally Spring Trip to Japan Resumes!

 Since we cancel the Spring Trip to Kyoto in 2019 due to the Pandemic, 4 years has passed and finally we are able to go to Japan!   Yay.

Our group will leave O'Hare in the afternoon tomorro (3/24/2023) for Haneda via Washington DC using All Nippon Airways.

Spending overnight in Haneda, Tokyo, we will be headed to Kobe Airport early Sunday morning (3/26/2023)

I myself will land in Kobe for the first time so I am excited as well.

Cherry Blossoms seem to have already begun blooming but hopefully we will catch them in full bloom in Kyoto.