Day Three- Tour of the Temples /  by Guest User

We started our day off with “Ajakan” Buddhist meditation at the monastery. We were able to experience the ceremony and actually feel the serene effects that the monotonous chants of the monks have in the space. The combination of the chimes and the verbal tones helped us to get ready for the day. The duration of the day consisted of touring Koyasan’s historical temples.

Entry courtyard of ​Kongobuji Temple (Photo by Chelsea)

Entry courtyard of ​Kongobuji Temple (Photo by Chelsea)

​Interior rock garden in Kongobuji Temple (Photo by Chelsea)​

​Interior rock garden in Kongobuji Temple (Photo by Chelsea)

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The first temple we visited was the Kongobuji Temple. Kongobuji is the administrative head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism. The sacred space consisted of beautiful paintings that portrayed nature on shoji screens. The screens formed the interior spaces of rooms that once catered to visiting guest of the temple. Kongobuji also forms the largest rock garden in Japan.

Next we visited the Reihokan Museum. The museum was constructed specifically to house the artwork held by the temples of Koyasan. Many of the pieces that were on display, ranged from ink drawings to ancient statues. The museum allowed us to see the range in which the Japanese people are able to express their culture and traditions through different types of mediums.

​The Big Pagoda (Photo by Kirsten)

​The Big Pagoda (Photo by Kirsten)

To sum up the tour, we visited an area in Koyasan that housed Tahoto in Kongo sanmai-in and Daito (Great Pagoda). Kobo Daishi, a monk who established Shingon Buddhism, planned the Great Pagoda to be the central part of the monastic complex. It size creates a sublime experience as you walk into the complex. Each temple in the complex has it's own certain character and creates different experiences when one is within the vicinity of each one. This monastic complex was also a location for us to receive a calligraphy signature from the monks that serve within the area.

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Later on that evening the rain stopped, so we made our way back to the Monastic Complex for a nighttime photography lesson. The dim glow from the lanterns was stunning under the dark skies. However, the highly illuminated great pagoda cast a white light that almost overtook the beauty of the lanterns. The different lighting made for a very contrasting view of the same landscape and expressed the way two structures are viewed, the grand regality of the Great Pagoda and the elegant Humility of Miedo.

-Kirsten, Chelsea, and Kennedy

(Written by Chelsea)​

​Night Photo of Miedo (Portrait Hall) (Photo by Kirsten)

​Night Photo of Miedo (Portrait Hall) (Photo by Kirsten)

Night photo Glow of Lantern K.N

Night photo Glow of Lantern K.N

Free day in Osaka! /  by Guest User

A mothers day gift, wrapped to perfection!

A mothers day gift, wrapped to perfection!

            Today was our free day in Osaka and it was amazing to explore on our own. Luckily being a free day we were all able to sleep in and have a leisurely morning.  After being so busy these past few days it was very nice to just walk around without plans and stop in anywhere that interested us. We began walking together, shopping in all of the small boutiques along the way and even popped into an anime store.  Everything inside was so interesting because there was not a word of English.  Attempting to read some of the comic books and playing some of the hand held games was quite the experience.  Kirsten even recognized some of the anime titles her sister has watched and sent a picture of an episode that hadn't been released in the US yet.  Kennedy bought a cool video game and we were all tempted to buy the cute Kawaii toys.  Since Lauren was late meeting up with us on the trip there were several events that she missed such as the opening of the Takashimaya department store. Everyone agreed that it was an amazing experience we wanted to be sure that Lauren could experience it as well, and that was our next stop.  We first ventured back to the home section so that we could further understand how the Japanese home looks, and we got an up close look at all of the hand made items.  It was so obvious that everything was made with care, and Lauren purchased a pair of hand carved chopsticks for her Mom for Mother's Day. The girls then found a section with fans, and after seeing how readily used they are by the people of Osaka, they each bought one to keep them cool in the hot sun.  We found these in a very traditional section of the department store along with many different kimonos and hand woven baskets and bags.  We all found it amazing how craft is such an important aspect in everything in Japanese culture.  Even the service was so precise and crafted in the store.  Gift-wrapping was an entire craft in itself, and we were all amazed when we received our gifts.  Even having a lazy day in Japan wore us out.

Balloons whirling around the Hanshin stadium!​

Balloons whirling around the Hanshin stadium!​

            After a nice nap and attempting to watch some Japanese soap operas we got ready to go to the Hanshin Tigers baseball game.  Running through the subway was a tad stressful but we made it on the right train with ease. Once we got there everything about the game was an amazing experience and we all had a blast together.  Although the game was slow and not many runs were scored it was obvious to us that baseball is the Japanese pastime.  The stadium was packed although this wasn't a rivalry game, and the crowd was constantly going wild with chants an noisemakers.  Across the first few rows of seats were several men waving giants flags with different Tigers logos on them, and the sea of yellow was quite amazing.  All of us managed to try some stadium food and even buy tiger towels to fit in with the crowd!  Although many things about the game and the stadium were different there was still a sense of pride, teamwork, and excitement that can be seen at any sporting event no matter what country it is in.  It was incredible seeing all of the commercials, stats, and anime characters on the big screen and the excitement that the people of Osaka get when their favorite players and their songs come on.  David bought us all these large balloons that everyone in the crowd had and the entire stadium blew them up at the same time and shot them of in the seventh inning stretch.  It was quite an astounding site with thousands of balloons soaring through the sky screeching with excitement.  This game was one of the most exhilarating and different sporting events we have ever attended and couldn't be happier that David scheduled it on our itinerary. Unfortunately the Tigers ended up losing the game, however it was most definitely an amazing time for all!

-Lauren, Tori, and Raakhi

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Raakhi

Breakfast Challenge /  by David Matthews

Today we started with find a "Traditional Breakfast". This can be a real big challenge. Finding a place that is open, eating something other than American grub, not being sure what you are really ordering and interacting with the restaurant staff!!

Cold Soba and Hot Udon YUMMY

We started by selecting and paying for our meal from a vending machine. The staff was very helpful and shared Osaka specialties.

The cold soba was refreshing on a warm clear morning. The hot udon provided a more filling option.

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Department Store Opening /  by David Matthews

Honor, service, attention to detail.

A Japanese department store is a experience to enjoy. It is enjoyable to witness a craft person making chopsticks and spoons from wood, take in the traditions of lacquerware and kimonos to seeing contemporary fashion. Top floor restaurants to basement groceries a vibrant experience dedicated to excellence and customer service. The origami traditions are part of the elaborate gift wrapping.

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Day Two - First day at Koyasan /  by Guest User

Today we arrived in Koyasan (Mount Koya), which are the mountains in Wakayama Prefecture just south of Osaka. The journey there was a very eventful and beautiful one. We traveled mostly by train on the Nankai Rail. While on the train ride there, we were able to see a big difference between Osaka and Koyasan, it began to feel like we were actually in Japan. The buildings and scattered traditional Japanese homes that we once saw in Osaka began to transform into mountains full of vegetation and flowing streams of water. The sense of nature was heightened, not only in the aspect of seeing, but also hearing.

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Once we arrived in Koyasan, we found our lodging in the Buddhist Monastery (Fukuchi-in Temple). Actually experiencing the temple and the spaces that it offers, was very astounding. It felt as if the interior spaces were designed to accompany the exterior spaces, rather than the other way around. The architectural elements framed the exterior gardens and spaces as a way to exalt them. The circulation of the monastery also exudes a sense of discovery through the procession of the building. As you walk through the spaces, you learn more about the history of the temple and the people that it represents.

Entry.jpg

After our Journey to our place of lodging concluded, we started another journey. We visited the Kongobu-Ji Temple and the Oku-no-in Cemetery. The progression through the cemetery really was a great representation of the Japanese culture. The sense wabi-sabi, which is the celebration of ugliness and the process in which something is made, was everywhere. The decay of wooden gates and nature’s interaction with the stone monuments created a sense of mystery and historical depth to the cemetery. As we got further to the Kongobu-Ji Temple we all acquired a book for monks to sign for 300 yen each. In a way the books represent an aspect of passage and a journey taken, by the number of signatures we will acquire through the duration of our study abroad trip.

When we arrived at the Kongobu-Ji Temple, we could tell by the smell of the pine incense burning, that we had arrived at a sacred place for prayer. Seeing the people come in for prayer and meditation, reminded us that for the Japanese culture, Buddhism is not just a religion, but a way of life.

Chelsea, Kirsten, Geoff

(Written by Chelsea)​

​Photo by Kirsten

​Photo by Kirsten

​(Photo by Chelsea)​

​(Photo by Chelsea)

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​(Photo by Chelsea)

​(Photo by Chelsea)

​(Photo by Chelsea)

​(Photo by Chelsea)

Day One - Arrival In Osaka /  by Guest User

Departing the United States, we embarked on a 10 hour flight for Japan.  For the most part the views outside the plane were just clouds and the blue from the ocean, until we started flying over parts of Japan where there were a few views of the coast.  After being on the plane for quite a long while, we arrived at the awesome Kansai Airport, which was designed by Renzo Piano.

​Kansai Airport 

​Kansai Airport 

We took the train to our hotel, which was non other than a Best Western :p. We dropped our things up stairs and set out to satisfy our curiosity for yummy Japanese food. Less than a few minutes away, was a restaurant that almost reminded me of an American diner. The space was limited, the kitchen open for view, and the air conditioning was lacking, but the intimacy and authenticity set the mood for our trip! Our waitress was patient with us as we attempted to express our desire to try what seemed to be everything on the menu. 

Server at our first Japanese restaurant experience!​

Strange dish.​

​  We sampled a variety of different foods, with everything from tempura and yakitori to pickled cucumbers and radishes. The most interesting thing on our plates was a weird go0ey salad we had to prepare on our table. It was slimy, but tasted like crab dip.

​Restaurant in Osaka

​Restaurant in Osaka.

​Written by Kirsten

Post by Kirsten, Geoff, and Tori​

Ready to leave for Osaka! /  by Guest User

​Atl Airport 

​All together minus Kennedy and Lauren. Left Knoxville airport at 5 a.m. now quick stop in Atlanta before our next layover in Seattle. After Seattle straight to osaka airport!