Kiyosumi Gardens

On July 15, we had our final dinner at the beautiful Meiji-period Kiyosumi Gardens.

Kiyosumi Gardens

The participants surprised staff with gifts at the final dinner.

Sumo in Nagoya

On July 13, we attended a sumo tournament in Nagoya. Sumo wrestling is centuries old and is rooted in the Shinto religion. Over 10,000 spectators attend the formal 15-day tournaments that are held six times a year. Some of us were suprised to find that individual matches usually lasted less than a minute each and the many the rituals that exist behind every movement before and during each bout.

Pokemon and Baseball

Today we visited the Tokyo Pokemon Center and went to the Yomiuri Giants vs. Yokohama BayStars baseball game. The Giants won, 5-4.

Pics by Jen Spolnik & Kim Meller.

Women's and Men's Night Out

Our group divided up and went out with locals on July 12 for dinner.

Pic courtesy of Kim Meller.

Studio Ghibli

On July 11, we visited the Studio Ghibli, a museum of anime, founded by director Hayao Miyazaki and his colleague and mentor Isao Takahata.

Tsukiji Fish Market

On July 11, Some of us got up at the wee hour of the morning to check out the Tsukiji fish market where the freshest fish was sold and auctioned.

Kabuki Theater

On July 10, we had the rare opportunity to to experience kabuki theater. The evening featured two plays, Yasha Ga Ike (Demon Pond) and Koya Hijiri (The Buddhist Priest of Mt. Koya) by writer Izumi Kyoka.

Pics by Jen Spolnik & Kim Meller

School Visit

Today we visited Kawasaki City Commercial High School. We had a Q&A session with the principal Mr. Kosakai and coordinator Mr. Togash. Then we had a small tour in which we saw the teachers' offices, the tea ceremony room, a martial arts gym and demonstration, and a classroom where Bookkeeping was being taught. We also enjoyed a meal of Nikujaga prepared by the students and their parents.

School Visit

Tokyo

Our first dose of Tokyo nightlife was Shibuya.

Yamadera

Hiking up 1,012 steps of Yamadera, literally "Mountain Temple."

Pic by Kim Meller

Matt presents a gift to our guide at Yamadera.

Homestays in Yamagata

Jenny at her homestay with 3-year-old Rick.

Becky with Satoko, a friend of her host family.

Kim teaching Masheuka's student how to shake hands and say 'good bye.'

Chris with her home stay family members, Fumi and Akiko.

Dave with Kumi and the cherry orchard owners where he picked cherries during his homestay.

Hiroshima

Maggie, Becky, Meredith, and Abbie W. enjoy okonomiyaki, a layered specialty in Hiroshima. It included chopped cabbage, pork, red ginger, yakisoba noodles, tenkasu (tempura crumbs), green onion, shrimp, dried bonito flakes, and bean sprouts folded in a thin pancake.

Hiroshima

Mr. Matsushima and Meredith.












Today our group visited the Hiroshima Peace Museum. Mr. Matsushima, an atomic bomb survivor, talked to us about his experience when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima 63 years ago when he was 16 years old.

Himeji Castle

Kathy and Steve at Himeji Castle. Himeji Castle's stone walls and the white plastered walls have been well-maintained in their original forms. The castle had never been destroyed in war. The main tower has been registered as a national treasure. Parts of the moat remain as they were in the feudal times.











Pics by Chris Joslin.

Zen Buddhist Temple, Kyoto

Tom, a Buddhist monk, took us on a tour of the temple and garden. He also led us in meditations to experience Zen Buddhism.