Our first stop for the day is Shoin Shrine (松陰神社, Shōin Jinja) which
enshrines Yoshida Shoin, an important figure from Hagi
<https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6150.html> who inspired revolutionary ideas
during the twilight years of Japan's feudal age
<https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2128.html> (mid 1800s). Mr Yoshida Shoin
advocated learning from the west and the restoration of power to the emperor
<https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2135.html>, thereby openly challenging the
ruling shogunate <https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2128.html>. Although he
did not live to see the Meiji Restoration
<https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2130.html> (1868), many of his students
were pioneers of the creation of modern Japan, and he is regarded by many
as a patriot who sacrificed himself for the good of his country.


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亮(ryo)

We will need to get all the calories we can as we will have a lot of things
to do today before heading back to Osaka

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亮(ryo)

Good morning! Today is day 3, our final day of our school trip.

The students were very quiet last night as our day was full of
activities(my pedometer counted over 17,000 steps!). Today, we have several
cultural and historical activities planned. But, now, it’s time to wake up,
(before the sunrise in Yamaguchi).


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亮(ryo)

One of the great things Japanese people love about staying at hotels are
the giant baths. Children too enjoy bathing in a huge bath. Today, the
students are treated to 30 minutes of bath Time per class. One bonus for us
is that the hotel has kept two baths for only Ikesho students. I think this
is a win win situation for our school and the hotel.


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亮(ryo)

The Hagi Hotel was just a short walk from Myojin Park. They prepared a
lovely dinner for all of in one large room. The meal was great! Already
looking forward to breakfast.



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亮(ryo)

今日の3年生理科は太陽の位置の変化を観察しました。あいにくの天気でしたが、iPadの天体観測用のアプリを使って、太陽の場所を見つけることができました。このアプリは拡張現実（AR）を利用しており、空にカメラを向けるとアプリ内の星空と現実の風景を重ねて表示することができます。太陽、月、星の位置だけではなく、名前まで調べることができます。天体への興味が広がるきっかけとなることを期待しています♪

This park is next to our accommodations.
We come here to enjoy the beautiful nature as well as feeding the carp and
kites before checking into our hotel.


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亮(ryo)

今日は１年生の学年活動でした。
内容は大玉転がしリレーです。
少し肌寒い中での活動でしたが、子どもたちも保護者のみなさんも協力して大玉を転がしていました。
競った展開が多く、歓声にあふれた学年活動となりました。

Hagi Meirin Gakusha, a beautifully preserved architectural specimen that is
Japan’s largest wooden schoolhouse building. Built on the site of the
former Hagi Domain School, the main structure now serves as a museum and
tourist center dedicated to showcasing Hagi’s rich cultural heritage.

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亮(ryo)

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Principal Saito’s caligraphy is amazing as are Ms Inatsuka’s flowers
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We had a chance to view people using traditional methods to make pottery
and bake pottery. This is a wood heated rising oven that goes up to 1200
degrees. We also watched craftsmen make Hagi ware.


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亮(ryo)

We are currently on the road heading to Hagi, Yamaguchi. Hagi known for its
castle its samurai era houses. Hagi is also famous for its Hagiyaki pottery
which rank as some of Japan’s finest. Here we will have the opportunity to
design our own tea cups.

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亮(ryo)

After exploring the largest cave in the country, everyone is hungry for a
nice lunch. At Yasutimiya we having Kawara Noodles - noodles on roof tiles.
They are not actually on roof tiles, but it is a famous dish of Yamaguchi
prefecture. It is said that a cooking on roof tiles is based on a story of
soldiers cooking with wild herbs using roof tiles.
Here we are having noodles cooked at our tables resulting in crispy
noodles.
Bon Appetite,


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亮(ryo)

We then dove into the rolling hills and explored the caves of Akiyoshi. The
running river, the cool damp air, the beauty that nature created over the
millennia was beautiful. Nature is the most wonderful artist.

These stalactites take millennia to create. For just one centimeter to
form, takes 50 years water dripping.



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亮(ryo)

We are now at Akiyoshidai. We did a short hike to Mt Wakatake to enjoy a
lovely outdoor view of the area. Not many places in Osaka have a 360˚ view
of the landscape; it is so beautiful.



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亮(ryo)

Good morning! I hope everyone is having a great day. Last night the
students were extremely well behaved and were well asleep by around ten. We
are now having a hearty breakfast before start our adventures in
Akiyoshidai.



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亮(ryo)