Japan 02.09.2010 - 15.09.2010
Program IFIL.ch study trip to Japan
● | 02.09.2010 Tokyo |
Our trip will start with a 4-day stay in the capital Tokyo 東京 where we will have company workshops and get in contact with students from Waseda university as well as members of the Swiss community. Furthermore, we will offer you opportunities to learn about Japanese calligraphy (called shodō) and gain an insight in Japan's political world. |
● | 06.09.2010 Kyoto |
After this intensive start we will head to the relaxing former capital Kyoto 京都 where we plan to take you to a famous bamboo forest (Arashiyama) and the world cultural heritage site of the Tenryu-ji temple. There are still plenty of places to discover in Kyoto and you will have the choice to either join the group going to see the Ryoan-ji temple that features a famous Zen stone garden or stroll through the countless shrine gates in the mountains of Fushimi Inari shrine. |
● | 07.09.2010 Kanazawa |
From Kyoto we then move on to the western coast of Japan where Kanazawa 金沢 is located. There we will stay in a cozy, little and authentically Japanese guest house. The city of Kanazawa is on the one hand famous for its castle and kenrokuen garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. On the other hand, Kanazawa, which literally means 'marsh of gold' has a long tradition as a city of crafts, such as the gold leave production that dates back to the Tokugawa era (1603-1868). A local expert will give us access to the most interesting places and also take us to his favorite lunch place where we can enjoy Kanazawa's delicious traditional cooking that is said to challenge even French haute cuisine. |
● | 08.09.2010 Sapporo |
On the 7th day of our travel (in Kanazawa), we will board the northbound Twilight Express night train for a 1200 km ride to Sapporo 札幌 along the coast of the beautiful Sea of Japan. Sapporo is the biggest city of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. Hokkaido is only part of Japan since 1868 when the new Meiji government decided to exert sovereignty over territories on the outskirts of the main islands of Japan. And it was only in March 1997 that a local court in Sapporo recognised the Ainu people as an indigenous and minority people of Japan. Thus, during our 3-day stay in Hokkaido, we will experience a cultural heritage that is very different from mainland Japan, not only influenced by the Ainu but also through its proximity to Russia. |
● | 10.09.2010 Niseko/Hakodate |
Since the island is famous for its marvelous nature, we will not miss the opportunity to discover the volcanic landscape during a (easy) hike through the untouched landscape of Niseko ニセコ area where we will also spend one night and soak into a hot spring. After having been to the beer brewery in Sapporo and enjoyed the fresh air in Niseko, the last stop on Hokkaido will be Hakodate 函館, one of the three port cities (besides Yokohama and Nagasaki) that was opened to foreign trade in 1859. Here we booked a homely pension in the very center of the town that will also make it easy to individually discover the city and relax before we head back to bustling Tokyo |
● | 11.09.2010 Hiraizumi |
On our way back to the capital we will make a stop in Ichinoseki where you can either go to nearby Hiraizumi 平泉, an almost forgotten city that once rivaled Kyoto (and that is famous for Chuson-ji temple featuring an impressive golden hall). Alternatively, participants can opt for a trip with a local folk songs singing boatman that will ride you through the huge natural gorge of Geibi-kei 猊鼻渓. |
● | 13.09.2010 Tokyo |
Back in the capital Tokyo 東 京, the Grand Sumo Tournament will just have started and we will of course have a look at that spectacle. Beyond that, there is still much left to be discovered in fashionable Harajuku, cool Shibuya and trendy Daikanyama (setting for 'Lost in Translation'). During those last two days in Tokyo you will have plenty of free time and in case you wish to see a particular area of Tokyo or visit for instance the kabuki theater, then we will be very happy to take your individual wishes into account. |