Japan Travel Course, March 13-24, 2008

Kinkakuji, Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto.

Be sure to see photos from the 2006 trip.

Course Description: In this 12-day travel course, discover Japan’s intricate blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will offer a Japan study tour during the spring break in March 2008. This credit-bearing course is to give students an intimate experience of Japan’s history, religion, culture and society through visiting historical sites, temples and shrines, museums, and national parks. The trip will travel to Tokyo, Takayama, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka. Some of the highlights of the trip include:

Visiting palaces, temples, shrines, gardens, and castles. Many of them are listed as the World Cultural Heritage.
Musing in a serene temple or in the World’s most famous Zen rock garden.
Riding the thrilling Shinkansen “bullet” train, the fastest in Asia.
Staying in a traditional Japanese inn and taking a communal hot-spring bath.
Immersing yourself in the Japanese folk art, merchant houses, special-interest museums, and mountain scenery in the remote Takayama in the Japanese Alps.
Strolling through Kyoto’s narrow alleys and visiting the Gion Geisha Theater to taste a slice of the exquisite traditional culture and customs.
Contemplating at Hiroshima’s thought-provoking Peace Memorial Park.
(Window) shopping in Tokyo’s and Osaka’s enormous and glittering department stores to experience their unsurpassable courteous service.
Walking around in the mind-boggling Akihabara Electric Town in Tokyo to find all kinds of electronic devices and gadgets.
Dining on Japanese food to take in its variety and visual and culinary finesse.

Prior to the trip, students will participate in the mandatory meetings with Professor Kailai Huang, the faculty leader of the trip, to discuss issues relating to Japanese history, culture and society. Students will be required to finish assigned readings and submit a written assignment. Students are asked to keep a journal during the trip. After the trip, students will submit a report on their Japan experience.

Daily Programs: March 13-24, 2008. Depending on weather or other conditions, our daily activities may change from this itinerary.

3/13 Thurday. Departure from North Adams. Cross international dateline as you fly to Japan.

3/14 Friday. Arrive at Tokyo’s Narita airport. Take the train to our hotel for check-in.

3/15 Saturday. Sightseeing tour of Tokyo. We will visit the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, Asakusa KannonTemple, and Tokyo National Museum.

3/16 Sunday. A free day for exploring Tokyo on your own. Suggested itinerary includes visiting the Tsukiji fish market, the largest in Japan, in the early morning; strolling the department stores in the Ginza business district and the Electronic Town in Akihabara; experiencing Tokyo’s nightlife either in Shinjuku or Roppongi Hills. You can also go to a Kabuki theater.

3/17 Monday. Optional trip to Kamakura, the sea-side ancient political capital. Your JR pass will cover the train ride.

3/18 Tuesday. Take the morning bullet train to Nagoya, then transfer to train to Takayama. Overnight stay in Takayama.

3/19 Wednesday. Spend the morning in Takayama. Take the afternoon train to Kyoto.

3/20 Thursday. Take the day trip to Himeji Castle, then to Hiroshima. Return to Kyoto in the evening.

3/21 Friday. Visit the Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle, and Kiyomizu Temple. In the evening take a stroll along the Kamo River and the famous Gion nightlife district.

3/22 Saturday. Visit the shinning Kinkakuji, Temple of the Golden Pavillion, and the world’s best-known Zen rock garden in Ryoanji Temple. You can also shop for souvenirs at the Kyoto Handicraft Center.

3/23 Sunday. Take the morning train to Osaka. Visit Osaka Castle and the commercial districts. Stay for the night

3/24 Monday. Take a morning bus to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. Border our flight home. We will cross international dateline and arrive on the same day.

Course Cost: the estimated cost per person is $2,200 US dollars, based on the availability of group discount airfare for over 10 people, and the current dollar-yen exchange rate. It includes:

round trip international airfare from Albany or Hartford to Japan.
round trip bus to Albany or Hartford airport from North Adams.
a seven-day Japan Rail Pass that will cover most of the train travels.
ground transportation (bus, subway, and train) on the days with scheduled activities.
10 overnight stays, mainly in western-style budget hotel or traditional Japanese inns (ryokan, sleeping on floor futon). Depending on lodging facilities, it can be two, three, or four people a room.
all admissions based on our itinerary.
three credits for enrolled MCLA students.

Not included:

meals in Japan. Prices of food are generally steeper in Japan than in the US. But with careful planning, you can control your expenses by eating meals in inexpensive restaurants, noodle shops, western fast-food chains, or buying packaged food. The estimated budget for food is $200 ($20 per day).
personal spending money for souvenirs or other purposes.

Contact:

Dr. Kailai Huang, phone, 413-662-5426; kailai.huang@mcla.edu
Department of History
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
375 Church Street
North Adams, MA 01247