Friday, the 19th through Tuesday, the 23rd.

 On Friday, we visited the Kyoto City Zoo, where we could see Genki (Gorilla mom) walking around holding Santaro (Baby Gorilla).  Flamingo, Giraffe, Zebra, Hippo, Red Panda, Penguin, Elephant, etc. are all having fun. 

From the zoo, we visited the Lake Biwa Water Canal museum, where we could learn how people in the past brought water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto city.  An incline railway running from the Keage Boat Reservoir (upstream) to the Nanzenji Boat Reservoir (downstream). With a total length of 582 meters, the Keage Incline was the longest incline railway in the world at the time it was built.

We could not do any specific activities because of the heavy rain and wind, but it was good for us to rest a bit.

On Sunday, some went to Kobe haborland, and the Kobe Chinatown (Nankin machi).

Monday, the 22nd, was the day for the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji-temple).  After visiting Kinkakuji, we walked to Ritsumeikan University, where Shingo graduated about 40 years ago.    It was a good place for us to eat an inexpensive, nice lunch before school.

On Tuesday, the 23rd, we walked from the Kyoto city museum to Eikando Zenrin-ji temple via Nanzen-ji temple.   At Eikando, after enjoying the inside of the temple building, we could go up the pagoda to the top, from which we could have a very nice view of Kyoto city from the east end.

Okazaki Shrine was our final stop before heading to the school today. 

First few days in the Summer Program 2026

On Monday, the first day, the school prepared the welcome lunch for us.  Our students and existing students here got together and introduced with each other to become friends.   Some Japanese native students want to learn English conversation, so our students can make Japanese friends easily.

On Tuesday, students had an experience of preparing Japanese tea with the tea master at the samurai-style tea ceremony before the class.

On Wednesday, we visited Heian Jingu Shrine and the Kyoto Handicraft Center before the class began. Everyone has already bought some kinds of souvenirs!

On Thursday, we visited one of the most famous traditional Kyoto Sweets shops, where we had hands-on experience of making Japanese sweets and tasted them with Matcha.

First 4 days are so far greater than expected!

On-site Orientation with the Nijo Castle

 In the morning, everyone got together where we arrived yesterday and walked to school to make sure everyone knew how to get there.

After confirming the location of the school, we went to Nijo Castle garden as a first excursion.

Our daily activity begins in the morning after gathering at Okazaki Park area, so we went to Okazaki Park area, where we saw the MoMAK, City Art Museum, Kyoto Prefectural Library, and Kyoto City Zoo.

From Keage station, the city subway took us to the City Hall area, where we explored the shopping streets.

Good weather!

2026 SUMMER STUDY ABROAD began!

 COD Summer Study Abroad Japan 2026 has begun.  

We had overcome the difficulty of a very tight connection in Haneda Airport.

We arrived in the central area of Kyoto at 10pm last night to meet with host families.

Everyone is exhausted but is ready for the academic and cultural adventure over the next three weeks.

Last full day in Nara

 We went to Nara by train and visited the Nara Deer Park and the Todai-ji temple.  The giant Buddha image welcomed us in a little rain.

In the Todai complex, we climbed up to the February Hall where we could see the Nara City from the top.

On the way back to the Nara station, we stopped by at the Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine.

After having lunch in the station area, we went back to Kyoto.

The rain was not as heavy as we predicted soi it was a nice day trip to Nara.

We will be heading back to the US tomorrow!

Very sunny 6th day in the Silver Pavilion and the Phoenix Pavilion

 The weather recovered and we took a bus to the Silver Pavilion from which we could see the Kyoto city.

From The Silver Pavilion, we walk along the Philosopher's Trail which was like Cherry Blossom Tunnel to get to Nyakuoji Shrine to rest.

Then, we walk to Keage station of the city subway and reached Sanjo Keihan for the lunch break.

In the afternoon, Keihan train took us to Uji city where we enjoyed the Phoenix Pavilion and nearby Uji River Park.

It was a good day!

Sunny 5th day for Arashiyama Area

 The rain yesterday has stopped and had a very sunny day today.  City bus took us from the hotel directly to the Daikakuji Temple where we experienced Shakyo (Buddhist scripture writing)

We walked from Daikakuji to Nonomiya Shrine along the famous strolling course in Sagano. 

Incredibly many people were walking along the Bamboo sorrounded path.  After walking along Oi River to Togetsu Bridge, we had a two hour break befor enjoying full bloom SAKURA in Arashiyama park.