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!

Fall 2016 is over!

Fall semester 2016 is now over.  The distribution of letter grades is as usual.
2201/2251     3A's  7B's  2C's  2D's
1102              3A's  2B's  6C's  2D's
1101              9A's  5B's  7C's  3D's  and 12F's

Spring Semester registration is going on and all the classes seems to be held.  No cancellation due to the enrollment.

Spring Flower Viewing Trip to Kyoto has amazingly 13 students in it and soon to be closed.

Summer Study Abroad Japan has 5 registrants and abot 12 more are expected to register.

Dollar value is going up so we are in good shape!

Fall 2016 is now closing!

Time flies.  The fall semester 2016 is about to end.  As usual I lost many students from 1101 but those who registered 1102 and 2201 survived quite well.

Now the Spring Semester registration is open and many classes are waiting for you.
1101  Tue & Thu 10-12 and 12 to 2 (2 classes)
1102  Mon & Wed 10-12 (1 class)
2201  Mon & Wed 5-7pm (1 class)
2202  Mon & Wed 1-3pm (1 class)

Plus  1101 Tue & Thu  7-9pm (taught by Imamura-sensei) will be open as well.

Spring Break trip has already 11 participants and will be closed shortly

Summer Study Abroad anticipates 15 students (according to my recent memo) and 3 have submitted their application and likely to be admitted.