Ten'ryu-ji to Togetsu Bridge through Bamboo forest

We got to Randen train station from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine through narrow alleys which everyone felt to be taken to some mysterious places by GTS. From the east terminal to the west terminal of the Randen train, students got to Arashiyama area where we dismissed for lunch before visiting Ten'ryu-ji temple. We were able to enter the main building as well as its famous garden around "heavenly dragon pond." As soon as exiting from the north gate, another exquisite scene of the bamboo forest welcomed students. Through the bamboo alleys students reaches the hilltop scenic point from which small river boats and sightseeing trains could be seen. Students went down to the Oi river and got to the Arashiyama park through Togetsu Bridge (Across the moon). Hankyu train line took us to the center of the city from which everyone went home. The weather was perfect after the nasty rainy day yesterday!

Nishiki-Koji, the Food Avenue!

By now most students learned how to maneuver in the central area of Kyoto, yet not probably the food alley called Nishiki-koji through which GTS and a students walk. On that street, there is a shop owned by GTS's long time friend (over 30 years!) and got some fish-paste products. GTS asked the student to bring some to his host family who is now taking care of 3 students of GTS! GTS got some CDs and a summer cotton kimono "Yukata" for his 2-year old daughter "EMA-lynn" at the underground shopping mall in the Kyoto city hall area from which the student went to his recently-signed up sports gym for work-out. It was quite a yucky weather day today but it should be cleared up tomorrow for another 'HIKE' in a bamboo forest!

Japan's Largest Aquarium in Osaka Bay

Weekends plans for students varies based on their host family's schedule and other pre-planned individual schedules. Those who didn't have special plans gathered at the center of Kyoto city and left for Osaka by Express train. Unlike Kyoto, Osaka has two major commercially lively areas, Kita (North, centering around Umeda) and Minami (South, centering around Namba and Shinsai-bashi). Kita is also famous as a business district and Minami is famous for entertainments including traditional puppet theater (Bunraku). While some went to Shinsai-bashi area, GTS/Little Ema and 5 royal students headed for Osaka Harbor area which holds Japan's largest aquarium called "Kaiyukan (Ocean fun hall)" This huge aquarium is equipped with Temposan Market Place with stores, restaurants, game arcades, live stage, as well as Japan's largest Ferris Wheel. On the way back home, some stopped by the central commercial area in Kyoto for window shopping and cultural exploration before heading back to each host family.
The itinerary was: Shijo Kawaramachi-(Hankyu Line)-Umeda-(Midosuji Line)-Hon'machi-(Chuo Line)-Osaka Harbor (round trip, regularly costs 1320yen, but weekend group rate for 1044yen!)

Dear Deer, Great Buddha and Tears!

All 20 of us were luckily able to get on the same bus for Kyoto Station where students could get about 45-minute lunch time during which GTS obtained bullet train tickets from Kyoto to Nagoya on the we leave on 7/24! (Our special bullet train will leave at 10am on Thursday 7/24 and get to Nagoya around 11am. Everyone can get a coupon for a drink (soft drink or tiny bottle of the wine). While one student tried to get a bottle of drink, we missed a train. In the next train for Nara, GTS got acquainted with a couple college students who might be able to become a good friend of students of our group. Giant Buddha, as usual, waited for us while a couple of students almost missed the opportunity to meet him! Some students fed deer in the park and the temple along the way from Giand Bell, Giant Buddha Hall, February Hall, March Hall, April Hall of Todaiji-temple to Kasuga Grand Shrine via Wakakusa mountain walk. We lost one student right before getting the Kintetsu Nara Station and missed several trains while searching the lost student. After almost 2 hours, we decided to leave for Kyoto. Upon arrival in Kyoto Station, we got a phone call that the student reached the wrong train station (JR) in Nara from which the student must get on the train for Kyoto alone. This is another lesson everyone must call GTS as soon as realizing being lost!!! The weather was perfect, everyone got exhausted as expected!!

Stage at Kiyomizu-temple!

Not much time for lunch before leaving for Yasaka-shrine. 3 students couldn't make it at the meeting time. The group left those 3 students behind and first got to Yasaka-shrine behind which the Maruyama Park is located. Maruyama Park is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring and most floats for Gion Festival are stored there. The group began walking from Maruyama Park, Kodaiji-temple (the former residence of Hideyoshi's wife, "NENE"), Ryozan Kan'non (Great Image of Buddha of Mercy), two-year slope, three-year slope, Kiyomizu-slope and reached Kiyomizu temple where every student enjoyed the city view from the famous stage of the temple. Return trip from Kiyomizu-temple via tea-bowl slope took us to the Gojozaka bus stop where we dismissed. Though the weather forecast reported the "RAIN" today, no rain showed up!!!

The Monthly Flea Market in front of KIA

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, right in front of KIA, was built to honor Michizane Sugawara and is surrounded by nearly 50 different kinds of over 2,000 plum trees planted for Sugawara, who loved the blossoms. On the 25th of every month, the flea market is held and various vendors show up in and around the shrine. Since COD Summer program ends on 7/24, this is the only day on which students can enjoy eating and shopping as well as traditional games here! The weather was cooperating with us though students have to struggle with packed buses to return to host families! Another Tenmangu Shrine is located in Osaka and becomes the central shrine during the "Tenjin Festival (July 24-25, every year)," a week after Kyoto Gion Festival on 7/17. There are still a few students who can be placed a upper level class beginning tomorrow.
Because Kyoto city hosts "foreign ministers conference among 8 nations" next two days (6/26-27), police officers and riot police members are here and there for maintaining law and order now.

The Golden Pavilion shines for us in the rainy season!

GTS visited Rits Alumni Association office in the morning to arrange its peace museum visit on 7/4 on which students plans to have a chance to go through "Anti-Vietnam War poster exhibit."
Rits Alumni Association office along with its law school is located at the Nijo Station of JR/City Subway. GTS and his partner are both Rits Alumni and got to know with each other first at Rits Chicago Alumni Assocition Dinner.
Students experienced lunch at another college cafeteria at Rits before heading to the Golden Pavilion. Some students stopped by at the college logo store before meal. 15-minute walk took us to the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji temple) which shines and reflects itself on the pond to welcome us to Kyoto. Despite the fact that the rainy season (Tsuyu) began a few days ago, it was quite lucky for us to walk through the temple with sunshine! Visitors threw coins to every possible place as if it gives them some good fortune in their life! That's kind of a bad habit brought from the West, yet certainly makes the temple happy to gain "unexpected" donation from even Japanese visitors! Remember, temples are the tax exempt institutions!!. No wonder the Golden Pavilion keeps itself covered with gold leaves!!!