Kobe and Kyoto

        Konnichiwa! Or as we would say in English, Good day! I wish that I could be really cool and able to speak Japanese.  Actually, knowing any other language would be awesome! Maybe I’ll work on that when I get home….

Japan is SPECTACULAR! I couldn’t really tell you what my favorite port has been this far just because all the places I have been are wonderful, but Japan is extraordinary. I don’t even know why I like it so much, but I do =)
Yesterday we pulled into Kobe around 8:00 and they started the Quarantine process. Yes the process that I explained in my last blog was a real big pain in the butt. I think by the time the whole quarantine, immigration, and customs procedure was done, it was about 1:00 P.M. At that point, a bunch of friends and I were planning on going to Hiroshima on a bullet train, but I was not able to go.
         I may have mentioned in a blog that I couldn’t get a Japanese rail pass because I had to do certain Faculty directed Semester At Sea trips. One of my friends told me that I could get a day trip pass though. We went to go see and check it out, and it was ridiculously expensive. The rail pass for the entire week came out to be $270. The day pass to Hiroshima and a few other places was $180. There was no questioning whether or not I was going at that point! It was okay though because right across the street from the train station was a cluster of department stores and shops! I found some shirts and new jeans, all while enjoying a starbucks ☺

        Today, I woke up early for a Semester At Sea trip to Kyoto. Kyoto was Japan’s capital up to the late nineteenth century when Tokyo took its place. Our first stop was called Kiyomizu Temple where we enjoyed a beautiful view of the entire city from up top hills and mountains. I was finally able to experience some Fall foliage! That is something that I deeply miss at home. Enjoy it while you can.  Next, we went to Maruyama Park and enjoyed lunch while viewing Heian Shrine that honors a peace period from the 700’s-1100’s This was a place where some of the movie “The Last Samurai” was being filmed. I will have to see that movie again since it has been awhile and now I am more interested in the topic.
        In the afternoon we visited Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). This Pavilion was constructed in the 1390’s as a retirement villa for Shogun Yoshimitsu, and featured a three-story pavilion covered in gold leaf and topped with a bronze phoenix. Oh my gosh was this place picturesque! It was set back right near the mountains and was surrounded by a pond with plenty of vibrant colored leaves. I am sure that this place is just as great in all seasons.
Finally we went to Nijo Castle. The castle was built in the 1600’s and is known for its gorgeous interiors as well as the perfectly manicured gardens! I don’t think I could have asked for a better day and a better way to see the city.

I am back on the boat, but not for long! Tomorrow we have sort of a free day because about 600 students are not traveling to Yokahama with us. They are elsewhere traveling in Japan. I am excited to catch up on my work and most importantly my sleep.

Time to go turn in my passport! It is getting really full with lots of stamps and visas!

Peace and Love,

Kristen