#2: Cultural Excursion to Kyoto and Nara and Iga (June 13-14)

The Nagoya University Summer Intensive Program (NUSIP) likes to kick off the program with a trip the first week to help everyone get to know each other and see Japan right away, and the two days I got to spend this week in Kyoto, Nara, and Iga were really, really cool. I really enjoyed them. We rode in a tour bus the whole time, spending the first day and night in Kyoto and a Kyoto hotel, then drove to Nara and Iga the second day for more sights. The Golden Temple in Kyoto is overlaid with gold, just like the tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament were overlaid with gold, and it was one of my favorite sights. Another highlight was the ninja show we got to see at the Iga Ninja Museum, where we got to see ninja techniques and practices demonstrated. Nara also had a deer park full of tame deer you could pet and feed deer crackers, and several more massive temples. One of them is one of the largest wooden structures in the world. We also lunched at some great buffets both days, and the grilled mackerel at the hotel breakfast Friday morning was excellent. It was pretty hot both days too, though, getting above 90, but fortunately I had my sunscreen and sunhat, which I could pour water on to keep my head cool, and I also had a pocket fan I bought at a shop. All the scenery we drove through was so different from anything I've ever seen as well--much taller mountains than in Appalachia and they are all around you. Very green, and all kinds of unique buildings. Two very full, fun days to welcome us all to Japan.
The Golden Temple in Kyoto
Lunch at a Kyoto buffet restaurant
One of the largest wooden structures in the world
Deer at Nara Park
Ninja show at Ninja Museum in Iga

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