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The excursions are scheduled for the Thursday afternoon. There are five choices of the excursions. Please sign up for your selected excursion when you register to attend the conference online.
Course A: Uji Byodoin Temple
Course B: Fushimi-Inari Shrine
Course C: Kiyomizu-Dera Temple / Yasaka Shrine
Course D: Nijo-jo Castle
Course E: Shorinji Temple (Zazen activity experience)
Course A: Uji Byodoin Temple
~Outline~
- Visit Byodoin Temple and enjoy the traditional atmosphere in town Uji.
- Byodoin was one built in the 11th century, in Heian-era, now certified as one of the world heritage.
- The design and decollation in the main building is impressively beautiful, therefore it is certified as Japanese national treasure as well. Also, in the museum lots of national treasures are displayed.
- Uji town is well known as one of the biggest tea leaf production areas in Japan. Walking around the town and looking around Japanese tea cafes would be also enjoyable.
- Official HP: https://www.byodoin.or.jp/en/
~Course~
- Conference Center => Sanjo station (by walk for 10 minutes)
- Sanjo station =>Uji station (by train for 45 minutes)
- Walk around Uji town and visit (2 hours)
*Uji station to Byodoin would take 15 minutes by walk directly - Uji station => Sanjo station (by train for 45 minutes)
~Other informations~
- Tour guides would go with you on the way.
- Train tickets (One-day ticket) should be provided for each.
- Entrance ticket of the temple should be also delivered on each.
Course B: Fushimi-Inari Shrine
~Outline~
- Visit Fushimi-Inari Shrine, look around the most popular place to see in Kyoto.
- Fushimi-Inari Shrine was built in the 8th century, now certified as one of the World Heritage sites.
- The 10,000 trii gates on the road in the shrine look so spectacular that this shrine is now the most popular place to visit for foreign guests.
- Inari is the type of shrine strongly related with economy, so a lot of people who concern the business.
- Official HP: http://inari.jp/en/
~Course~
- Conference Center => Sanjo station (by walk for 10 minutes)
- Sanjo station => Fushimi-Inari station (by train for 30 minutes)
- Walk to Fushimi-Inari Shrine and have a visit (2 hours)
*The station to shrine would take 5 minutes by walk directly - Fushimi-Inari station => Sanjo station (by train for 30 minutes)
~Other informations~
- Tour guides would go with you on the way.
- Train tickets (One-day ticket) should be provided for each.
- Entrance ticket of the temple should be also delivered on each.
Course C: Kiyomizu-Dera Temple / Yasaka Shrine
~Outline~
- Visit east area of central Kyoto and mainly go to two buildings, Kiyomizu-Dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine.
- Kiyomizu-Dera Temple was built in the 8th century, and now is well known as one of the most popular temples in Kyoto.
- Yasaka Shrine is located near Kiyomizu-Dera Temple. Also popular place to visit in Kyoto as it was built in the 7th century and served for ancient gods in Japanese history.
- Official HP
Kiyomizu-Dera Temple; https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/
Yasaka Shrine; http://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/en/
~Course~
- Conference Center => Bus stop around Heian-Jingu Shrine (by walk for 5 minutes)
- Heian-Jingu Shrine => Yasaka Shrine (by bus for 20 minutes)
- Go to Kiyomizu-Dera Temple after Yasaka Shrine (by walk for 10 to 15 minutes)
- Bus stop near Kiyomizu-Dera Temple => Heian-Jingu Shrine bus stop (by bus for 20 to 30 minutes)
~Other informations~
- Tour guides would come along with you on the way to Yasaka Shrine.
- The tour guides would set a time to visit Yasaka Shrine for an hour, therefore please gather the time on time, then they take you to Kiyomizu-Dera Temple.
- If you wish to stay longer at Yasaka Shrine or move to Kiyomizu-Dera Temple earlier, please visit Kiyomizu-Dera by yourself.
- Train/bus tickets (One-day ticket) should be provided for each.
Course D: Nijo-jo Castle
~Outline~
- Visit Nijo-jo Castle, one of World Heritage sites in Kyoto.
- Nijo-jo Castle was built in the early 17th century, as the Kyoto residence of the Shogun when he visited Kyoto. When the Shogun was not in residence, samurai guards were garrisoned there.
- Famous as the place where the last Shogun to declare authority over the country would return to the Imperial Court and Emperor Meiji.
- Official HP: http://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/?lang=en
~Course~
- Conference Center => Higashiyama station (by walk for 10 minutes)
- Higashiyama => Nijo-jo Castle station (by metro for 10 minutes)
- Sightsee around Nijo-jo Castle
- Nijo-jo Castle station => Higashiyama (by metro for 10 minutes)
~Other informations~
- Tour guides would go with you on the way.
- Train tickets (One-day ticket) should be provided for each.
- Entrance ticket of the castle should be also delivered on each.
- Train/bus tickets (One-day ticket) should be provided for each.
- Entrance fee for the optional building or museum would be paid by yourself.
Course E: Shorinji Temple (Zazen activity experience)
~Outline~
- Visit Shorinji Temple which serves the Zazen experience to visitors.
- Zazen is generally regarded as a means of insight into the nature of existence, by keeping sitting quietly, and concentrating to yourself.
- A Buddhist priest will guide you how to do Zazen meditation and you will calm your inner tumult and find your inner peace.
- The activity would take 1 hour, including 30 minutes of Zazen experience and short break with snacks.
- Official HP: http://shourin-ji.org/english/
~Course~
- Conference Center => Shorinji temple (By bus for 30 minutes)
- Start Zazen activity (taking for about 60 minutes)
- Take a look around Shoriniji Temple (taking for about 30 minutes)
- Go back to the conference center (by bus for 30 minutes)
~Other informations~
- Tour guides would go with you on the way.
- Train tickets (One-day ticket) should be provided for each anyway.
- The activity fee would be also included to the conference participation fee.