Osaka Castle yesterday and Kiyomizu Temple today

Because of G 20 Summit, security is so tight so less people seemed to visit Osaka Castle, which was very good for us.  The train was not as crowded as usual.

The first typhoon of Reiwa era is approaching now so it started to rain in the afternoon.
We still walk from Yasaka Shrine, then Ninen Zaka, Sannen Zaka, Kiyomizu Zaka to get to Kiyomizu temple in light rain.

12 students from Georgia Southern University join us so now 30-student group is now led by Shingo.

Finally a bit settled.

Began with cancelation of the flight and immigration issue, we are now a bit settled.  Yesterday we visited the Silver Pavilion after a placement test.

The silver pavilion is the area where Shingo was born over half a century ago.

Today, after eating lunch, we have visited the Rock Garden and a monthly flea market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. 

Summer Study Abroad began with many unexpected incidents

Our original flight was canceled due to the Labor Strike.  Students might have been in panic but I was rather calm to find am alternative ways.

As a group we were able to fly out with Korean Airlines via Seoul.  We enjoyed some Korean food on the way to Seoul.   We have successfully arrived at Osaka Kansai International Airport 12 hours later than I planned.

At the Kansai Airport, immigration issue was risen and took a while but everyone successfully got to Kyoto by midnight on Saturday!

2019 Spring Semester has ended!

Spring semester is now over.  There were 50 students total from the first semester class (1101) through 6th semester class (2252) and 41 students passed with A, B, C, or D.

Summer on campus class is only for the first semester (Japanese 1101) class and will be taught by my friend teacher.

For Fall semester 2019 is now open for registration.

Japanese 1101 (1st semester)  Mon/Wed. 10am-12noon or 7pm-9pm
                                                 Tue/Thu.   10am-12noon or 12noon-2pm

Japanese 1102 (2nd semester) Mon/Wed. 5pm-7pm

Japanese 2201 (3rd semester) Mon/Wed. 1pm-3pm

Japanese 2251 (5th semester) Mon/Wed. 7pm-8pm

Busy Fall is coming and I do hope every class will run!!

Bye bye Japan!

We left Osaka, Japan for Taipei, Taiwan first after finishing up the final shopping. We switched the plane for Chicago.

Accidental delay at Kansai International Airport fortunately reduced our lay over time.

Nice flight!

Deer and Great Buddha

Final full day was in Nara where many deer greeted us with bowing for food.

Some cherry blossoms were in bloom in front of the Great Buddha Hall.

In Todaiji temple complex, we stopped by the April hall, March Hall and February Hall from which we could have the nice view of Nara city.

Though Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine and Mt. Wakakusa-yama, we reached Kasuga Grand Shrine.

We were a bit rained and suffered from being hungry, we managed to finish Nara mini trip.

Silver Pavilion to Nanzenji Temple.

First we stopped by at the local government election campaign office of Shingo's comrade running for Kyoto city council.

After warm-hearted welcome by the candidate and seeing him off, we visited Silver Pavilion from which we walked along the Philosophers' Trail to Kumano Nyakuoji Shrine.

Nearby temple was Eikando Zenrinji Temple which is famous for its maple leaf garden. We could go up to the top of its Pagoda to have nice city view.

Our today's trip finished at Nanzenji temple and nearby Kyoto International Communiy House.

We took a bus in front of the largest Torii gate at Heian jingu shrine home.

Good day again!