Nice breezy day at Osaka Castle area

It has been quite breezy and cloudy today.  It us the best afternoon excursion day to Osaka.  Keihan train took us from Demachiyanagi to Kyobashi Osaka business park.

Less crowded at the Castle so it was nice.

KIA--Demachiyanagi Station--(Keihan Train)-- Kyobashi--Osaka Business Park--Osaka Castle--Hokoku Shrine

The silver Pavilion and the philosopher's trail.

Not as hot and humid as yesterday though it was hot!  Breeze helped us a bit to walk up to the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji temple) from which Western part of the city was visible!

Though it has been in rainy season, we have been still lucky!

KIA--Ginkakuji michi--Philosopher's Trail--Ginkakuji Silver Pavilion

Bamboo Forest in heated Kyoto

35C or 97F weather hit Kyoto today.  It is the hottest day so far in this season.  We still managed to go to Arashiyama area where we stopped by Nonomiya Shrine (famous Shrine in Tale of Genji) and walked along Tenryu-ji temple to get to the top of the hill.

We could see very nice view from there and walked down to Oi River to walk across the famouse Togetsu Kyo Bridge and enter the Arashiyama Park.

We tried to go back to the center of the city by Hankyu Railways but we could end up going back to Arashiyama due to the train accident and detoured to Nishioji Shijo by Randen train.

It was a long hot day!

KIA--Kitano Hakubaicho-(Randen train)-Arashiyama--Tenryuji temple--Nonomiya Shrine--Bamboo Walk--Mountain Top Viewpont--Oi river--Arashiyama Park--Hankyu Arashiyama Station

The Golden Pavion in the steamy day!

The second day still began with some commuting problem (Some students got on the right bus but to the opposite direction!!!) yet moved fairly smoothly.

We had lunch at the different cafeteria at Ritsumeikan University from which we walked up to the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple)

After yesterday's excursion some went to Karaoke near the school and enjoyed very inexpensively!

Everyone must explore in the center of the city this first weekend!

KIA--Hirano Shrine--Ritaumeikan University Zonshinkan Cafeteria--Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion

First day at school! Of course getting lost!

Fairly good start with nice weather on the first day!

A few students got lost on the way to school but overall it was good start.

Some students got off at the wrong bus stop even though I told them many times about the right stop.

Well, learning by experience is probably right!

We ate lunch at the cafeteria in Ritsumeikan University and then went to Ryoan ji temple which is famous for its Rock Garden!

KIA---Hirano Shrine--Ritsumeikan University Ryoyukan Cafeteria--Ryoanji Rock Garden--Kitano Hakubaicho

2018 COD Summer Study Abroad has just begun.  The air cost was very expensive this summer so we decided to use Air Canada as it began new service from Vancouver to Kansai last fall.

Very smooth flight and we even got to Osaka 30 minutes before the scheduled time.  Bad news was that too many people were heading to Kyoto so we had to wait for the bus to get to Kyoto.

So far no one got sick, so I am hoping that everyone make it to school tomorrow morning from the host family.

Or we may have some interesting episodes tomorrow!!

Summer Study Abroad is ready

This is the 20th year of the Japan Summer Study Abroad Program.

Last few yeara have been joined by East Los Angeles College and Georgia Southern University.

This year, with students from Georgia, total 21 students are going to Kyoto, Japan from mid-June to mid-July.

Will be fun!