Eikando in the rain

 It was raining heavily in the morning but somehow got light rain and it was actually good for Eikando to visit in the afternoon.

Eikando is famous for its autumn color but summer rain also makes it unique.  Everyone enjoyed the rather complicated structure of the main hall and felt the sounds of rain in tranquility. 

From Eikando, we walked through Nanzenji temple, the International Community House, and the front of Shingo's condo to get to the main bus stop at the Heian Jingu Shrine.

Rained but not as bad.

Fushimi Grand Shrine and Tofukuji

The weather forecast says it will rain heavily tomorrow, so we decided to visit Fushimi Grand Shrine today to climb up to Mt. Inari.

We went up to the top through thousands of Torii gates, beyond the mountain, and down to the other side to visit Tofukuji temple.

Some did not make it but many made it for their unique memory.

Giant Buddha welcomed us in Nara

 The schedule was tight so we left for Kyoto station from Kitaoji Shopping Mall without a lunch break.

We luckily managed to catch the direct express from Kintetsu Kyoto to Nara.  We walked from Kintetsu Nara station to Daibutsuden of Todaiji while feeding deer.

In the Giant Buddha Hall, some students tried to go through the Buddha's Nose Hall and blessed for their future.

We proceeded to the top of the February Hall where we could see the city of Nara then walked along Mt. Wakakusa and reached Kasuga Grand Shrine.  

From Kasuga Grand Shrine, we walked along Sarusawa Pond and Higashimuki Shopping Street to Kintetsu Nara Station.

By the time we got to Kyoto Station, time went by and dismissed at Kyoto Station at 6:30pm

The Phoenix Pavilion

 After lunch at the usual shopping mall, we went to the Demachiyanagi station of the Keihan train line.

We were lucky to get on the limited express in the timly manner and reached Uji after transfering at Chushojima Station.

We could see the beautiful Amida Hall (Phoenix Pavilion) and refelction of it on the pond.  Some lotus are about to bloom and the whole scene is just like the design on the ten yen coin.

Lots of them enjoyed Matcha green tea soft serve as Uji was famous for its tea.

Another beautiful expereince without rain!

Weekend Lake Biwa Chikubu Island Trip

 This year's Weekend Group trip was to visit Chikubu Island on Lake Biwa.  This island is located far north of the lake near Nagahama Castle.

The 35-min boat ride took us to the island and we had a chance to visit Houganji temple.

From the top of Nagahama Castle, we can see the huge lake and Nagahama City.

After coming back to Kyoto, it was heavily raining but our trip itself was blessed by the nice weather.

Heian Jingu Shrine & Kyoto Handicraft Center

 It was raining rather heavily in the morning but by the time we began the afternoon excursion, the weather had recovered, and there was a nice blue sky at Heian Jingu Shrine which has the largest garden in Kyoto city.

Some visited the Kyoto Handicraft Center after strolling around the Heian Jingu Shrine and some were heading to the center of Kyoto city.

The weekend trip to Chikubu Island in the Lake Biwa is tomorrow. 

Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine

 Our bus in the afternoon took us to Gojo-zaka and we walked along the Tea Bowl Slope (Chawan zaka) to Kiyomizu Temple where we could view Kyoto-city from the famous STAGE.

On the way there all 24 people together but on the way back from the temple there were only eight people as many of them deviated.

We took Kiyomizu Slope and Sannei-zaka, then Ninen Zaka and reached Ryozan Kannon near Kodai-ji temple.

We continued to walk to Maruyama park and Yasaka Shrine and final survivors were only 6 students.

It was another good day.

Tanukidani Fudoin challenged us

 Everyone went up to the Tanukidani Fudoin where Shingo's parents are sleeping.  From the bus stop, the long uphill slope challenged us.  Even after reaching the bottom of the temple, 250 stairs were waiting for us to climb up.

We could see the city from the temple building and the nice breeze comforted us a bit.

On the way back down to the bus stop, we stopped by Hachidai Shrine which is famous for "Battle at Sagarimatsu" by Miyamoto Musashi.

Everyone somehow managed to go up to the temple successfully and I am very proud of them.

Heavy rain in the morning but the nice weather in the afternoon

 The weather forecast last night threatened us to have heavy rain in the morning but by the time we were having an afternoon excursion, the nice weather returned.

One thousand statues of the Mercy Buddha (Senju Kannon) greeted us in Sanjusangen-do.

Somehow we managed to have a good day today again.

Great Day for the Silver Pavilion and Nyakuoji Shrine via Philosopher's Path

 There was heavy rain last night and I was a little worried about today.  No rain, and no strong sunshine, it was a perfect day to visit the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji).

Shingo was born near the Silver Pavilion about 60 years ago so everyone got informed.

From Ginkakuji, we took the Philosopher's Path to the end where we could find Nyakuoji Shrine.

Just a beautiful perfect day today.

After the excursion, some went back to the Silver Pavilion area, some headed back to the host families and others were accompanied by Shingo to Kyoto Handicraft Center.

A couple of degree cooler in Bamboo forest walk.

 After lunch, Randen train took us to Arashiyama where we walked through the bamboo path. 

We climb to the top of the mountain to look down the Hozu river.

The return trip was not by Randen but by the Hankyu line and we went back to the center of Kyoto.

In this weekend, some go to Tokyo and some go to Osaka where they could go to Universal Studio in Japan.

Very hot and humid again but had a good time.

Amazing moment in the Rock Garden (Ryoanji-temple)

 In the nice weather with heat and humidity, we visited Ryoanji temple after eating lunch at Ryoyukan Cafeteria at the Ritsumeikan  University where Shingo graduated over 35 years ago.

Usually, too many tourists visit Ryoanji at a time so they cannot enjoy its tranquility.  We were lucky as not many people were there so we could have a good time.  Some jumped into the icecream shop after visiting the Rock Garden.

From Ryoanji, we walked to Randen Kitano Hakubaicho station where we will begin our tomorrow's excursion to Tenryuji in Arashiyama.

Another good day!

First Schooling Day went well

Almost everyone made it to school on time on the first day of school.  Some struggled but it was a part of the learning as well.

For lunch, some went to Japanese McDonald's, some went to Revolving Sushi, and some went to the restaurant to get some energy before heading to the Golden Pavilion.

It was hot and humid but we could enjoy the beautiful shiny Golden Pavilion and its reflection on the pond.

Good Start!

STUDY ABROAD SUMMER 2024 Began smoothly

 All students arrived in Kyoto, Japan smoothly on Tuesday 6/11/2024.

We left Chicago on time with Japan Airlines which provided nice food and snacks.

Our layover time in Haneda was tight but we managed to board in time and reached Itami, Osaka.

The airport bus took us to Kyoto Station 40 minutes from Osaka and we got to the Kyoto Station at 8:15pm.