Sayonara Japan

Today we begin our journey home. We will be taking the bus from Kyoto to Osaka and then flying out of Osaka to Tokyo where we will board our long flight to Australia. After arriving in Sydney in the early morning, we will fly to Melbourne and then Hobart. We should arrive in Hobart on 1st October at 4:40 pm. It has been a wonderful trip but everyone is looking forward to catching up with family and friends when we get back to Tasmania.

Today is also a very special day as we celebrate Mrs O’Hea’s birthday. Not only is she a wonderful person and vital part of our teacher blogging team, but an awesome travel companion. Thank you for helping make this trip so special. Happy Birthday!

Japanese Cuisine

Perhaps one of the best parts of travelling internationally is the food. Japan has given us the opportunity to taste a variety of delicious dishes. Half of the fun was that we didn’t know what we were ordering a lot of the time. From sushi and sashimi to a gourmet dinner in Tokyo, we have been treated to a feast for the taste buds and the eyes. Below are some of the food experiences from our travels.

Fortunately we were able to do some window shopping before ordering our meals to cover the language barrier.

Once we ordered, we were often surprised and confused about what we were actually eating. Chopsticks were also a challenge (for some).

However, the shared meals were always a delight!

And there were always plenty of snacks and vending machine treats.

 

OSAKA: A Mix of Old and New

Our day trip to Osaka was a fantastic way to end our tour of Japan before we start making our way back to Australia tomorrow. Osaka is a vibrant city which contains a rich cultural heritage combined with a modern contemporary shine.

 

OSAKA CASTLE

We began today’s tour with a taste of tradition at Osaka Castle. The castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks and it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century. The castle is surrounded by an enormous moat and it features gigantic rocks in its foundation.  It is an eight story structure containing such treasures as samurai swords and armour.

 

AERIAL GARDEN OBSERVATORY

Next, we went to extreme heights to experienced a more contemporary side of Osaka. This modern building was listed as one of the top 20 buildings in the London Times’ List. The 173 meter tall building consists of two main towers which are connected with each other by the “Floating Garden Observatory”.

 

LUNCH

Today’s lunch was so much fun because we went to cooking school to learn how to make it ourselves. We made Osaka-Style Okonomiyaki which is often compared to a pancake and is considered “Japanese Soul-Food.” It was delicious and we had a great time preparing it.

DOTONBORI

We ended today’s tour with a stroll and a shopping adventure in Dotonbori which is Osaka’s shopping district which is famous for its colourful shop fronts. The shopping precinct runs along the canal and is a favourite tourist destination and  entertainment area characterised by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signboards.

 

Kyoto Afternoon

After a wonderful lunch in Kyoto, we headed to the Kiyomizu Temple, a Tea Ceremony and then for a stroll through the Gion.

KIYOMIZU TEMPLE

This is a Buddhist Temple with absolutely spectacular scenery.The main hall has a large veranda, supported by tall pillars, that juts out over the hillside and offers impressive views of the city. It was constructed during the Edo period to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims and they did not use a single nail in its construction.

Water runs off the nearby hills and the water at this temple is meant to bring health and happiness. Beneath the main hall is the Otowa waterfall, where three channels of water fall into a pond. Visitors can catch and drink the water, which is believed to have wish-granting powers.

TEA CEREMONY

Although we attended a tea ceremony at the High School in Tokyo, this one was extra special because it was conducted by a tea ceremony master and our guide explained all aspects of the ceremony. Victoria and Brea volunteered to make and present tea after the traditional ceremony.

GION

Today’s tour ended with a stroll through the Gion district. We saw the traditional buildings and narrow streets and learned about the geisha. Kyoto is the heart of Japan’s geisha world. Knowledgeable insiders estimate that there are about 100 geiko and 100 maiko in Kyoto. Other cities, like Tokyo, have some version of geisha, but they don’t usually undergo the strict training that defines Kyoto’s maiko and geiko.

 

Kyoto

Yesterday, we arrived in Kyoto by Bullet Train and spent a leisurely day of shopping, checking out the area around our hotel and some of us went to a movie (Jurassic World) last night. It was great to have a slow day yesterday because today was jam-packed.

NIJO-JO CASTLE

This morning we met our guide, Say, and headed out to Nijo-jo Castle. The castle was originally built in 1603 as the official Kyoto residence of the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu. This castle is an example of early Edo period and Momyama culture in Japan. The lavish paintings, tatami mats and carving that adorned the castle are brilliant. The Nightingale Floor is amazing as it was designed to squeak like the songbird so they could hear their enemies approach. The gardens surrounding the castle are beautifully designed and maintained.

 

These little metal wedges are what gives the Nightingale floor its song.

 

This is the thickness of the inner castle wall.

GOLDEN TEMPLE ( KINKAKUJI TEMPLE)

This  temple is one of the most popular buildings in Japan. The original structure burnt down and the present structure dates from 1955 when it was rebuilt. It is three stories high and it is covered extensively in gold-leaf coating. The building is absolutely stunning with its gold standing out in the sunshine against its reflection in the pond in front of it. Her too, we were impressed by the lovely gardens. It is no wonder it is such a popular tourist attraction.

 

 

 

Reflection

Tonight’s  reflection was particularly poignant given our tour of the Atomic Dome, Peace Park and Memorial Museum. Below are some excerpts from student reflections about this experience:

•  I found it to be a hard-hitting experience which truly allowed me to see the Japanese perspective before and after the bomb. Even now, you can tell that people are profoundly affected by the event. It really puts the war and the use of the A-bomb into perspective. I found it to be moving as you cannot help but to think, “What if it was me?” Some of what we witnessed was disturbing and we were emotionally moved by the experience. You can only really understand the devastation of the event once you have had this experience and it was a great experience which opened my eyes to its effect.
• Seeing and hearing the stories from the people affected was very eye-opening and moving. I am grateful for the experience.
• Seeing what the bomb did to the city people and the carnage that it brought to the people was a true but shocking sight to see.
• Hearing the impact of the atomic bomb on the children of Hiroshima who lost their parents, siblings and classmates was definitely the most emotional part of the day. The whole experience was eye-opening.
• So much has been done to bring those whom are deceased back to the living loved ones….bells, fountains, turtle statues and even a thousand paper cranes. As much as mourning is respectful, I know thousands have stood at that memorial and cried until they were weak. I felt rude to cry for them as if my prayers should be answered first. There is nothing that can undo it so all I will do is wish peace among the dead and a promise of closure to the families.
• I was shocked by the extent of the damage. It was a real eye-opener.
• Today’s trip made me think a lot about Hiroshima. It impacted me emotionally in a strong way. It made me think a lot about how horrible war is and how it affects others emotionally. I feel bad for those families and the Japanese nation as they did not deserve what happened. I hope in the future that there are no more nuclear weapons used.
• I thought that it was amazing to hear the stories of the A-bomb victims and the destruction and it was so hot and people just turned to ash instantly.
• My reflection on today was very heart touching to think what it was like during the time the A-bomb was dropped. I felt today was very emotional and I enjoyed it.
• Today was a really confronting experience, particularly in the museum where we saw what was left after the bomb explosion. Some of the stories of the survivors were eye-opening to what it was like during and after the explosion. Seeing a building left standing was living proof of the destruction caused.
• Reading about Hiroshima doesn’t do it justice. Seeing the A-bomb Dome hit me hard because it made me realise the immense force it would take to clear the whole city. The stories hit me the hardest, hearing about families being destroyed. Dare I say, it was like nothing else on the trip.
• The experience of just seeing and hearing what only a few of these people have gone through and a lot of others who have been through war was very confronting and devastatingly real. Needless to say, I will not be taking anything for granted from here on.
• The experience was well worth it as I was more informed on the subject. It was really touching and hard to really understand exactly what it was like. Overall, it was very sad but well worth it.
• This morning, we were all moved when looking around and hearing the guide talk about it in such a powerful way. Very sad and touching.
• This experience has been very eye-opening. It has been amazing to learn about Japanese culture and beliefs. The experience has been very worth it.
• Today was a very emotional day. It opened your eye to what life is like during war. Overall, it was sad and moving.
• Today was very confronting. It is hard to believe that there are still some survivors of the a-bomb. Back then, they didn’t have the knowledge about how to treat radiation that we have now.
• It was amazing to see the amount of damage done by the bomb. It was very powerful.
• The museum was so educational and it was sad to see all of this had happened. The paper cranes were amazing.
• Today was a very moving day. I had little knowledge about the effects it had on the people of Hiroshima. To an extent, I can understand why it happened but the only question I really don’t understand is,” How could someone order a bomb dropped on a densely populated city, knowing that it would kills thousands of innocent people?” I’m thankful I got to have this experience.
• It was very interesting to see how much the a-bomb affected the families who were living there and the generations that followed.
• Seeing the displays inside the museum gives you an idea of the impact. It was very sad.
• Listening to the stories of mothers losing their children had a profound impact.

Miyajima Island

The afternoon found us at the stunning Itsukushima Shrine on the sacred Miyajima Island. The island is most famous for its giant Torii gate, which at high tide, seems to float on the water. Miyajima has long been regarded as an island of the gods. From ancient times, people have sensed the spiritual sanctity of Miyajima and have revered and worshipped the island itself. The deer, which roam the streets and welcome the visitors, are considered sacred messengers. The beauty and serenity on  the island was a perfect backdrop to learn more about Japanese history and culture.   

We walked around the shore of Miyajima Island (taking numerous photos and patting tame deer) to Itsukushima Shrine, where we learnt more about the Shinto religion and customs.

We then walked up to DaishoinTemple (Buddhist). This ancient temple is the most distinguished temple of Miyajima.

 

We finished off our tour walking through Momijidani Park before heading back to the Omotesando Shopping Arcade.

What a Morning in Hiroshima!

We met our guide, Nobuko, at our hotel and eagerly jumped on board our coach for the day. Our first stop was a quick photo-op at Hiroshima Castle before heading to Peace Memorial Park.

Words can’t possibly express the powerful emotions we felt today as we made our way past the Atomic Bomb Dome and through the Peace Memorial Park with its numerous monuments and memorials and then to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

We were privileged to experience this site first hand as we tried to imagine the horrors of August 6,1945. The Atomic Bomb Dome is ground zero and the original building that still remains was severely damaged and burnt by the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare. The only reason that this building survived while the rest of the area was obliterated was because the bomb went off almost directly overhead and blew out the windows. It stands as a reminder of the horrors of nuclear weapons and its presence appeals for world peace.

Our School Captains ringing the Peace Memorial Bell

 

The Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims pays tribute to the deceased A-bomb victims and encourages visitors to pray for everlasting peace. It hands down the memory of the experience of the atomic bombing. Amid the horror of the images and testimonials, it was uplifting to share this experience with our young people and sense their renewed commitment to world peace. We felt privileged to share this day with our Dominic students.

Below is the memorial to Sadoko. Many know the story of Sadoko and the thousand paper cranes. Sadoko believed if a sick person folded a thousand paper cranes the gods would grant her wish and make her healthy again. When she was diagnosed with leukaemia and told she had a year to live, she started folding her cranes. (Her smallest can be seen in the last photos below). When she died, her classmates fundraised and this memorial was built for her and all the children who got sick and died. Students from all around the world now fold paper cranes and send them to this memorial.

This is a picture of our students listening to the Children’s Memoirs of Hiroshima. We listened to three stories that gave heart-wrenching first hand accounts of the explosion and horror that followed.

The Peace Memorial Museum displays material that shows the history of Hiroshima and the realities of the terrible devastation of the atomic bombing.  It appeals for the elimination of all nuclear weapons and permanent world peace.

 

Sadako’s smallest cranes

 

 

 

 

Bullet Train to Hiroshima

      We knew our Japanese experience was moving along at a rapid pace but the Bullet Train took it to the next level and transported us safely to Hiroshima. In Japan, the Bullet Train is known as the Shinkansen and it travels up to 250 kph. This trip gave us the opportunity to leave the bustling city life and experience the beauty of rural Japan.

 

Osaki High School

” How was school today?” you ask. Well, it was excellent.

Today we donned our Dominic uniforms and headed to school at Osaki High School in Tokyo. What an amazing opportunity we had to actually interact with the students and experience classes in a different culture.

Before joining some classes we toured the seven story building. In the basement, we saw how the school is supported on giant rubber pillars and metal springs to protect it from earthquakes.

We went to an elective music class and listened the class perform a traditional Japanese song on their guitars and then they sang a contemporary Japanese song for us. We were then off to an English class where we were secretly hoping for a pop quiz. P.E. was next on the agenda where we joined their class for some handball games.

After school, we experienced some of their after-school clubs. First, we listened to a group perform on the Koto which is a Japanese harp.

Next, we participated in a Japanese Tea Ceremony.

The Japanese drums were a big hit. They were so cool. After the students performed for us, we had the opportunity to try out the drums.

The students were extremely friendly and fun to be around. Regardless of language barriers, everyone was brave and eager to use their communication skills to make friends with the Japanese students. Today was really a terrific immersion experience.

Our Dominic students have been amazing ambassadors for our College and the teachers are very proud of the way they have been representing our school, state and country.