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Japan Travel Course

Spring 2013
Dr. Kailai Huang

Kyoto temple

Kyoto's Golden Pavilion Temple

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 travel course from March 7-18, 2013. 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, Kyoto, Hiroshima-Miyajima, and Kanazawa. Some of the highlights of the travel include:

  • Visiting palaces, temples, shrines, gardens, and castles. Many of them are on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

  • Musing in a serene temple or in the World's most famous Zen rock garden.
  • Riding the thrilling Shinkansen "bullet" train, the first high-speed train in Asia.

  • Visiting the Manga Museum in Kyoto to have a close encounter with cosplay. 

  • Staying in a traditional Japanese Ryokan inn and attending a Japanese style banquet.

  • Immersing yourself in the Japanese folk art, geisha district, and old samurai houses in the well-preserved old town of Kinazawa.

  • Strolling through Kyoto's narrow alleys to taste a slice of the exquisite traditional culture and customs.

  • Contemplating at Hiroshima's thought-provoking Peace Memorial Park.

  • Visiting Odaiba on the man-made island in Tokyo Bay to witness Japan's achievements in modern architecture and technology.
View of Mountain Fuji from Shinkansen train
  • (Window) shopping in Tokyo'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.

      View of Mountain Fuji from Shinkansen train

Prior to the trip, students will participate in the weekly meetings with Professor Kailai Huang, the faculty leader of the trip, to discuss issues relating to Japanese history, culture and society. Students will finish assigned readings and write a book review. Students will establish a course e-portfolio and keep a journal during the trip. After the trip, students will submit a reflective final project on their Japan experience.

Course Cost: the estimated cost per person is $2,870 US dollars (subject to change). It includes:

  • Round trip international airfares to Japan and airport transportation.
  • 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.

  • Breakfast on some days and a full-fledged Japanese-style dinner banquet

Fuji TV building in Odaiba, Tokyo
Fuji TV building in Odaiba, Tokyo

  • 10 overnight stays, mainly in western-style budget hotels 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: Lunches and dinners (except where noted).

Contact:
Dr. Kailai Huang
Phone, 413-662-5426
Email: kailai.huang@mcla.edu

Office location: 72 Porter Street, Hours: MW 11-1pm or by appointment