We have caught the 1:50 Shinkansen and we are now headed for Shin Osaka.
We are scheduled to arrive at 3:43.

We would like to take some time here to thank Mr Fukushima from Hokko
Tourist. Mr Fushima’s family has been serving Ikeda City for almost 80
years. The students just automatically get on buses, ride Shinkansens, eat
the food given to them, stay at hotels, borrow rooms for prayers, without
thinking twice about these things. It is thanks to Mr Fukushima’s hard
work. Mr Fukushima said that schools plan and make School Trip Reservation
12 months to 18 months in advance. They need to do this very early to book
buses, trains, restaurants, museums, for over groups of over 150 people.
This is a logistical nightmare, but he does these things as well as a dozen
other things that I can’t even imagine, just so that everything works
perfect like a well oiled machine. The logistics of it all is just amazing.

Thank you Mr Fukushima.

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We are on our way to Shin Yamaguchi to catch out Shinkansen back to Osaka.

Our wonderful bus drivers of 3 days will us off at Shin Yamaguchi after an
hour bus ride from Hagi.

We want to take this time to thank our fabulous bus drivers for driving us
hundreds of kilometers and delivering us safely to our various
destinations.

Thank you.


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Principal Saito explained to me that Hagi ware was originally made for Lord
Terumoto Mori for tea ceremonies and as gifts for his guests. Only royals
were to use the finest wares.

Others wanted to use these fine cups, so, the local pottery makers made
chips on the bottom of their wares to sell to merchants during the Edo
period. The traditional continues today of chipping the base of the cup. In
the photo, you can see such a chip and you will see the chip on your
child’s cup.




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Yesterdays art was baked and glazed and the students have a treasure from
their 6th Grade School Trip.

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After a very long and hot walk in Hagi, the students were eager to eat a
hot meal in a cooled air conditioned room.

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The students are now exploring the town of Hagi in their groups. They will
visit historical landmarks and enjoy the beauty of the extremely well
preserved town of Hagi. Hagi is also known for their citrus fruit so the
students may purchase summer orange ice cream.




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We are now in the Yoshida Shoin Museum to see depictions of important
historical scenes during his incredible and historically important life.
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As we walk around the shrine, I learned so many things about Yoshida Shoin
- he was extremely intelligent and was teaching by the age of 11, that he
realized that Nippon needed to learn from other countries, that he tried to
go overseas and was caught and arrested. I was so impressed that the
teachers could explained several memorials with ease and grace - the
teachers do so much work before and during the trip to be able to teach the
students in a safe and entertaining way. The teachers at Ikeda ES have
planned and worked so much for this school trip. I am simply amazed as I
just follow along.



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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). 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 Shoin
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 Shoin is regarded by
many as a patriot who sacrificed himself for the good of his country.

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Today, we our having our first and last breakfast with everyone together in
one room. As usual, the meals here are healthy and delicious. What a
wonderful way to start our final day.

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Today, we have woken to a beautiful party cloudy day, with highs expected
to be in the low 30s. It looks like it will rain later this evening in
Yamaguchi, but we will be all at home with our families by that time.

Today, will visit Shoin Shrine. The students will explore the historical
town of Hagi, we will have lunch, and then head home.



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After dinner, students have a bit of time before they go shopping or take a
bath so students are spending time playing cards, chatting, or getting
ready for tomorrow.

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Tonight was the first time that all of us, the teachers, the students, all
had a meal together. Until now, we have been eating in different in rooms.
Although it was a little louder than usual, its nice to be together.


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We took a short walk from the pond to the lovely Hagi Kanko Hotel in Hagi,
Yamaguchi.

Our rooms all are so nice and we have great views.

We are all very much looking forward to dinner.

The boys relaxing and the view from out rooms.
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Before checking into our hotel, we make on last short hike around Myojin
Pond. The pond is connected to the Japan Sea so we can can interesting sea
creatures like stingrays, as well as fresh water fish.

But, the main attraction were the kites(the bird) which we fed sliced
bread. Some students actually fed them by hand.


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We are at the Jozan Pottery Kiln.

We had a chance to view people using traditional methods to make and bake
pottery. This is a wood heated rising oven that goes up to 1200 degrees. We
also watched craftsmen make Hagi ware. Now, we are in the middle of
designing our own cups.



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