Submitted by Erika Relyea on the 2016 summer session program in Kobe, Japan sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
This week in school, we took a brief class on 書道, the art of Japanese calligraphy. Most of the class was spent on the history and styles of writing, but toward the end we were given the opportunity to write for ourselves. I wrote on large paper 紅葉, meaning autumn leaves.
This weekend, a group of six of us went on an excursion to Osaka and stayed in Kamishinjo. In the afternoon, we visited Shinsaibashi, an area known for its nightlife. I especially liked this place because of its liveliness and interesting crowds. However, the last train of the night is at 11:30 pm, so we ended up killing time until the first train of the next morning.
On our second trip to Kyoto, we spent most of the day in transit. Kyoto is a beautiful city, full of wonders, but getting from place to place can be frustrating, especially in a large group. The only attraction that we got to in Kyoto was Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. Kinkakuji is a temple with an entirely gold-plated exterior. It’s a common tourist spot, but is truly beautiful nonetheless.
On my second day in Kyoto, I went alone to Gion, Kyoto’s famous “Geisha district” full of shops, restaurants, and theaters. At the end of Shijo Street is Yasaka Jinja Shrine, and just past the shrine is a gorgeous nature walk undisturbed by the outside crowds.
If I could, I would like to spend an entire week in Kyoto just to scratch the surface of its cultural and nature attractions.