I left for Kyoto by bullet train on Saturday morning. It was my first time riding a bullet train and it was very exciting. The inside of the bullet train looks like an airplane but wider. Along the way, I saw a rainbow and there was some areas that had recently snowed. I also saw Mt. Fuji from the train but the clouds covered up most of the mountain.
The next day, I visited Sanjusangendo Temple, Ginkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Kiyomizudera at night.
After that, in the following days I visited Arashiyama to see the bamboo forest and Tenryu-ji, I visited Nara to see the Giant Buddha at Todaiji and the deer park, and Uji to see Byodo-in Temple. I also was able to see Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji, and hike Mt. Kurama.
It was my second time to visit Kyoto but this time I had much more time to explore and I was able to visit many places I wasn't able to see before. I also got to try more of the matcha green tea snacks that you see all over Kyoto.
Much of the transportation was by bus which was a little strange for me as I had gotten so used to using the train all of the time in Tokyo. The buses were quite slow when there was a lot of traffic so it made me really appreciate again being able to use the trains in Tokyo to go basically wherever you want.
Also, it was fun to hear the Kyoto Japanese accent and to see the cultural differences within a country. For example, some people stand on the other side of the escalator than they do in Tokyo. I got confused though since some people would stand on the left like they do in Tokyo while others would stand on the right. I asked someone from Kyoto which is correct and they said even they are not sure because it is up to the person who first stands on the escalator. This is very different from Tokyo since there it is always on the left side. Also, there were many visitors from other countries in Kyoto so it was interesting to see how they interact with the Japanese here. In Tokyo there are also many visitors but I think the tourism in Kyoto is much more concentrated so it is easy to witness all of the differences.
In front of Kyoto Station, a couple of time, I saw middle school students trying to interview foreigners in English for practice. It reminded me a lot of the students from the school I interned at. It was great to see the students trying their best to start a conversation with someone they have never met before, let alone in another language.
After looking at the paper, "Is English a nuisance or an asset? Japanese youths' discursive constructions of language attitudes" by Akihiro Sato, it discusses, "one’s perspective is purported to become enriched by interacting with culturally and linguistically other people and by learning their background prompted by these differences. In doing so, one’s potentiality is given chance for change". I really agree with this statement and I think that by interacting with those from other cultures is the best way to open your heart and mind. For example, in the hostel I stayed at, there were many people there from places all around the world. Talking with people from other countries was very interesting and although there were some differences, you have to learn to accept ways of living that are different than the ones you grow up with.
I had a really great time and it was nice to have a break to be able and enjoy adventuring in Kyoto. The only downside was at this time, I had many finals and projects due at the same time for my online classes so it was difficult at times to enjoy myself when I had exams to study for and not being able to confirm that I would have adequate internet connection. I tried not to let it get me down and I was still able to have a wonderful time!
The next day, I visited Sanjusangendo Temple, Ginkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Kiyomizudera at night.
After that, in the following days I visited Arashiyama to see the bamboo forest and Tenryu-ji, I visited Nara to see the Giant Buddha at Todaiji and the deer park, and Uji to see Byodo-in Temple. I also was able to see Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji, and hike Mt. Kurama.
It was my second time to visit Kyoto but this time I had much more time to explore and I was able to visit many places I wasn't able to see before. I also got to try more of the matcha green tea snacks that you see all over Kyoto.
Much of the transportation was by bus which was a little strange for me as I had gotten so used to using the train all of the time in Tokyo. The buses were quite slow when there was a lot of traffic so it made me really appreciate again being able to use the trains in Tokyo to go basically wherever you want.
Also, it was fun to hear the Kyoto Japanese accent and to see the cultural differences within a country. For example, some people stand on the other side of the escalator than they do in Tokyo. I got confused though since some people would stand on the left like they do in Tokyo while others would stand on the right. I asked someone from Kyoto which is correct and they said even they are not sure because it is up to the person who first stands on the escalator. This is very different from Tokyo since there it is always on the left side. Also, there were many visitors from other countries in Kyoto so it was interesting to see how they interact with the Japanese here. In Tokyo there are also many visitors but I think the tourism in Kyoto is much more concentrated so it is easy to witness all of the differences.
In front of Kyoto Station, a couple of time, I saw middle school students trying to interview foreigners in English for practice. It reminded me a lot of the students from the school I interned at. It was great to see the students trying their best to start a conversation with someone they have never met before, let alone in another language.
After looking at the paper, "Is English a nuisance or an asset? Japanese youths' discursive constructions of language attitudes" by Akihiro Sato, it discusses, "one’s perspective is purported to become enriched by interacting with culturally and linguistically other people and by learning their background prompted by these differences. In doing so, one’s potentiality is given chance for change". I really agree with this statement and I think that by interacting with those from other cultures is the best way to open your heart and mind. For example, in the hostel I stayed at, there were many people there from places all around the world. Talking with people from other countries was very interesting and although there were some differences, you have to learn to accept ways of living that are different than the ones you grow up with.
I had a really great time and it was nice to have a break to be able and enjoy adventuring in Kyoto. The only downside was at this time, I had many finals and projects due at the same time for my online classes so it was difficult at times to enjoy myself when I had exams to study for and not being able to confirm that I would have adequate internet connection. I tried not to let it get me down and I was still able to have a wonderful time!
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