Learning Japanese and about Japan happens throughout each day. This morning, we started out with lessons on learning kanji in context, and a challenge to take photos of such findings.
Several students bought a "temple book" to keep record of the temples they visit by having a calligrapher write in their books:
A view of a garden in Enko-ji with the beginning of autumn color
The trippers proclaimed this place an instant favorite saying they could spend all day here
A handsome trio
Now at peace at Eikando at the southern end of Philosopher's Walk
Group Photo along the Philosopher's Walk:
But then, we had to hurry to make it to our tea ceremony appointment (i.e., intermittent running for those with short legs!) -- even crossing against the sign, as evidenced in the photo because that person is on the other side of the street from the group that followed the traffic sign.
A tea ceremony experience near Gion, the famous geisha district
On the famous Sanjo bridge that spans the Kamogawa
Dinner was well-earned! We were all so hungry that we barely came up for air, and everyone is getting used to eating food that seemed strange and new only yesterday.
Beginning to practice talking in Japanese to local people after a nighttime light-up walk at the temple:
And a walk along the atmospheric "Ninenzaka."
Check back -- we'll add a few more photos when we're not so sleepy! The alarm rings in only a few hours, and we're on our way to Kumamoto tomorrow, leaving our youth hostel at 6am.
