Japan - Summer 2001 Galleries

Yatsushiro 11 - Saying Goodbye (7/06-7/07) : Our last two days in Yatsushiro. First, the farewell dinner we attended with two guests each from our host families, and second, a day spent with Brandon and Yoko.

Yatsushiro 11 - Saying Goodbye (7/06-7/07)

Our last two days in Yatsushiro. First, the farewell dinner we attend ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 6:47pm PST

Yatsushiro 10 - Ebino Kogen (7/05) : On this day we went to the plateau city of Ebino Kogen and the surrounding Kirishima National Park, an area with many active volcanoes. We also visited a large shrine.

Yatsushiro 10 - Ebino Kogen (7/05)

On this day we went to the plateau city of Ebino Kogen and the surroun ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 6:14pm PST

Yatsushiro 9 - Kumamoto City (7/04) : We headed out to Kumamoto City, the largest city in Kumamoto Prefecture, to see a folk art museum, Kumamoto Castle, and a shopping street. Later that same day, we had another karaoke party.

Yatsushiro 9 - Kumamoto City (7/04)

We headed out to Kumamoto City, the largest city in Kumamoto Prefectur ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 5:15pm PST

Yatsushiro 8 - More Mountains (7/03) : This was a day of exploring the mountains around Yatsushiro, cut short by a flat tire.

Yatsushiro 8 - More Mountains (7/03)

This was a day of exploring the mountains around Yatsushiro, cut short ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 4:28pm PST

Yatsushiro 7 - Mt. Aso (7/02) : This day was spent traveling to Mt. Aso, an active volcano, and exploring the surrounding area.

Yatsushiro 7 - Mt. Aso (7/02)

This day was spent traveling to Mt. Aso, an active volcano, and explor ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 3:52pm PST

Yatsushiro 6 - Mercury and Coke (6/26-7/01) : During this time I came down with a summer cold and missed two days of class. Pretty icky, because I apparently missed some cool sights. I did, however, see the museum at Minamata and journey to the Coca-Cola factory in Kumamoto City.

Yatsushiro 6 - Mercury and Coke (6/26-7/01)

During this time I came down with a summer cold and missed two days of ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 1:30pm PST

Yatsushiro 5 - In the Mountains (6/25) : Here, we explored the mountains around Yatsushiro, sampled local cuisine, and swam in a pool at the base of a waterfall.

Yatsushiro 5 - In the Mountains (6/25)

Here, we explored the mountains around Yatsushiro, sampled local cuisi ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 1:07pm PST

Yatsushiro 4 - Karaoke (6/23) : This was the most fun at karaoke I have ever had. A local lady invited us all to her apartment to sing karaoke. Her setup was amazing, with a huge karaoke system that connected to a remote database with access to a zillion songs, and she also served us all kinds of delicious food. I really let loose for this one, surprising Yoko. I even headbanged during "Bohemian Rhapsody", which, with my long hair, was pretty cool/hilarious.

Yatsushiro 4 - Karaoke (6/23)

This was the most fun at karaoke I have ever had. A local lady invite ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 12:08pm PST

Yatsushiro 3 - Out with IEC (6/19-6/22) : Here are several things we did in town with IEC students, including checking out a local department store, seeing a temple, visiting some gymnasiums, and going to city hall.

Yatsushiro 3 - Out with IEC (6/19-6/22)

Here are several things we did in town with IEC students, including ch ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 11:26am PST

Yatsushiro 2 - Class Trips (6/17-6/18) : This set comprises our first set of field trips, including a computer class, a farm, a spa, and an observatory.

Yatsushiro 2 - Class Trips (6/17-6/18)

This set comprises our first set of field trips, including a computer ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 10:59am PST

Yatsushiro 1 - Host Family (6/14-6/16) : After our two week whirlwind tour, we homestayed for three weeks in Yatsushiro, a small town in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu. The first few days were spent with our host families, adjusting to life with them.

Yatsushiro 1 - Host Family (6/14-6/16)

After our two week whirlwind tour, we homestayed for three weeks in Ya ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2005 10:11am PST

Hiroshima (6/13) : After our stop in Himeji, we settled in at Hiroshima. The first night was spent seeing Miyajima in the dark and rain; the next day was spent touring Hiroshima's Peace Park and Museum; and the next morning, we were off again, this time for Yatsushiro.

Hiroshima (6/13)

After our stop in Himeji, we settled in at Hiroshima. The first night ...

Updated: Feb 20, 2005 9:55am PST

Himeji (6/13) :

Himeji (6/13)

Updated: Feb 20, 2005 9:35am PST

Nara (6/12) :

Nara (6/12)

Updated: Feb 20, 2005 9:12am PST

Kyoto (6/10-6/13) :

Kyoto (6/10-6/13)

Updated: Feb 19, 2005 5:37am PST

Takayama (6/8-6/9) : Takayama is nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. There are only two ways in and out, and to get there you take a slow train that winds through the mountains. Due to its isolation, the city has retained many old-style buildings and much of its original layout, and is therefore a great place to go to experience traditional Japan. The city also has many museums and a morning market. Click here for a great article about Takayama.

Takayama (6/8-6/9)

Takayama is nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. There are onl ...

Updated: Feb 18, 2005 4:24pm PST

Tokyo (6/5-6/7) : I didn't see as much of Tokyo as everyone else. I was a little daunted by the thought of traveling by myself or with other students and no teachers in a city of this size, so when everyone split up to go exploring, I mainly stayed near the hostel. I did see four important things: the Tsukiji Fish Market, Ariake, the National Museum, and Akihabara Electric Town.

Tokyo (6/5-6/7)

I didn't see as much of Tokyo as everyone else. I was a little daunted ...

Updated: Feb 17, 2005 6:23pm PST

Nikko (6/4-6/5) : Nikko, a city most famous for its sprawling shrine and temple complexes, is a good day trip from Tokyo. We stopped here for a night on our way from Yamagata to Tokyo.

Nikko (6/4-6/5)

Nikko, a city most famous for its sprawling shrine and temple complexe ...

Updated: Feb 17, 2005 1:16pm PST

Yamagata (6/3-6/4) : Yamagata is a "technopolis" nestled in an interior valley. The highlight for me was the tour of Hirashimizu Pottery, where I purchased a hand-made, traditional tea set.

Yamagata (6/3-6/4)

Yamagata is a "technopolis" nestled in an interior valley. The highli ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2005 12:38pm PST

Akita (6/2-6/3) : After checking out the morning market at Hakodate--the pictures of which I subsequently lost :(--we headed off for Akita. This was mostly a stopover, although we did taste some of what is reputed to be the best sake in the world.

Akita (6/2-6/3)

After checking out the morning market at Hakodate--the pictures of whi ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2005 11:33am PST

Hakodate (6/1) : Hakodate is famous for sushi...in fact, this city, bordered on two sides by the sea, may in fact boast the best sushi in the world. We arrived late in the day and walked to the mountain, where we rode a cable car up to get a good view of the city.

Hakodate (6/1)

Hakodate is famous for sushi...in fact, this city, bordered on two sid ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2005 9:48am PST

Stopover at Shiraoi (6/1) : On the way to Hakodate, we stopped at Shiraoi to visit the Ainu museum. The Ainu were the original inhabitants of Hokkaido (and perhaps all of Japan). They have mostly been integrated into the current culture, but traditional Ainu language and culture are still studied and preserved here. This museum is similar to places like Fort Boonesboro in the U.S.

Stopover at Shiraoi (6/1)

On the way to Hakodate, we stopped at Shiraoi to visit the Ainu museum ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2005 9:22am PST

Day Trip to Otaru (5/31) : Otaru is a Russian-influenced port city in Hokkaido, on the Sea of Japan.

Day Trip to Otaru (5/31)

Otaru is a Russian-influenced port city in Hokkaido, on the Sea of Jap ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2005 8:33am PST

Sapporo (5/31) : Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido, the northern island of the Japanese archipelago. It is famous for Hokkaido University, founded in 1876. Dr. William S. Clark of Massachusetts briefly became the vice principal; he is responsible for the infamous quote "Boys Be Ambitious", which is engraved on his statue on campus.

Sapporo (5/31)

Sapporo is the largest city in Hokkaido, the northern island of the Ja ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2005 3:23am PST

Flight (5/30) : On May 30, 2001 (my birthday!), I left for my first visit to Japan. (Actually, we left on the 29th, but then we crossed the date line.)

Flight (5/30)

On May 30, 2001 (my birthday!), I left for my first visit to Japan. ( ...

Updated: Feb 16, 2005 3:07am PST

Unless otherwise specified, all of the photos at photos.pixelscribbles.com / cosleia.smugmug.com are copyright Heather Meadows and may not be used without permission. If you would like to license any of my photos for your own use, please click here to contact me.