Day 10

We were given 2 free days to explore during our first weekend in Japan. Otherwise, most of our daytime hours were filled with field trips, seminars and workshops. During this free weekend I traveled with 5 other teachers to Kyoto, a city northwest of Tokyo.  Kyoto was established in AD 794 and was the capital of Japan for over a thousand years before Tokyo became the capital. Since Kyoto was spared from bombing during World War II, many ancient temples and old structures remain and Kyoto continues to retain its position as the cultural and historical center of Japan. Many Japanese refer to it as "the heart of Japan." Kyoto also has a modern flair which we discovered when we arrived at the high tech train station and when we explored the bustling department stores in the Gion section.

I was told these statues with aprons represent deities who protect children who have died.

The Kyoto Train Station is so modern that it seems as though it is right out of a Star Wars movie.

This is a zen rock garden at the Daitokuji Temple, one of our favorite sites in Kyoto.

O ne of the highlights of our Kyoto trip was enjoying a tea ceremony at the Kyoto-in.