We have started our climb at 750 meters.
Beautiful blue skies and bright sun will help us up the
mountain. Some of the students seem a bit nervous,
but our guides are leading us at a very pace comfortable.

Good morning.
All the students were extremely well behaved through
the night as they all slept quietly.
After the light showers yesterday, we have some perfect conditions
for hike. Today is the main event, the climb up Mt Daisen
which peak is at 1729m.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e8150.html
Along with 10 teachers, 2 veteran photographers,
and 3 nurse, we also have the expert guidance
of 3 local guides to take us up Mt Daisen.
They will be setting the perfect pace to get us
all to the top safely. Wish us luck.

The students are now having room photos taken by the photographers and writing reflections on the day. What do you think they enjoyed most? What did they find most memorable? Maybe it was just being with their classmates.

After a long day traveling from Osaka to Tottori, everyone was eager to have dinner. Classes 1 and 2 ate dinner indoors and were served hot sukiyaki. Each student had their own burner and could make their sukiyaki.
Classes 3 and 4 ate outdoors as all of three teachers barbecued vegetables and meats for the extremely hungry students. Ms Sai had shown her barbecue skills in full as she had the hottest fire and fed the most people. We need to hear what her secret is.
After dinner, we watched and informative video on Mt Daisen as well as heard about the does and don’t about hiking.
Attached are a few photos of dinner.

We arrived at last.
Our excellent drivers as well as the teachers perfectly executed plan
has got us to our destination - The Hotel Daisen Shirogane.
https://hotel-daisen.jp/
After our hotel entrance ceremony, we will check into our rooms,
take an early bath, and have dinner.

Many of the students are sleepy from the lovely lunch as well as the walk at the Sand Dunes, so the bus ride was very quiet. We are now at the Hawai Roadside Station,
This is the last break before he arrive at the Hotel Daisen.

The students are collecting washed up seashells - some shell hunters have found some beautiful shells.

We are at the waters edge and most seem to like the waves more than the sand dunes. The strong ocean breeze, the never ending waves, the beauty of the sea, I can understand their fixation.

We are now at the Sand Dunes which are part
of the Sanin Kaigan National Park.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e8102.html
After sitting for a few hours and a hearty lunch,
many students are eager to run around and
enjoy the sand dunes firsthand. As this is a
national park, the children cannot draw in the
sand! They cannot draw pictures in the sand
or make sandcastles! Japan is so strict, but
the national parts are so beautiful.

Half the students seemed to be extremely excited,
while the other half seemed to be extremely frightened.
But, once they sat and enjoyed the relaxing views, I think everyone enjoyed the experience.

The Sand Dune Center has been extremely accommodating
with us, not only providing our meals 20 minutes earlier than
scheduled, they have provided different meals for
dietary needs. Can you figure out which is which?

Tottori Sand Dune Center
After our fantastic bus drivers safely delivered us to Tottori, we are finally having lunch at the Sand Dune Center. Many of the students are enjoying Beef Bowls. Those of us with other dietary requirements are having special meals.
砂丘センター
https://goo.gl/maps/haweqrUc2Q17SSRaA

We have arrived 20 minutes early to the Tottori
Sand Dunes. This is due to the bus drivers great
driving as well as the children returning to the
bus at a timely manner. You can see what is
happening via the live camera feed at the link below.
http://www.kirinnomachi.jp/tottorisanddunes-cam...
After lunch, you will be able to see Ikesho students on the feed.

?Awakura Land
We are now off of the expressway and now at Awakurando Roadside Station. There is light rain but not enough for us to use our umbrellas. The children have been so well behaved, we are all so proud of each nd every student.
https://g.co/kgs/ZdYHPw
The students seem quite hungry, fortunately, lunch is just scheduled for our next stop.

The students seem to enjoy the changing scenes out of the bus windows as well as just being together - the beauty of children.

After a pleasant hour on the bus, we are now at Kasai Service Area off of the Chugoku Expressway. The children seem so excited as they are speaking non stop. But it’s very good that they are in good spirits and nobody is suffering from motions sickness...yet.
https://goo.gl/maps/mVrhNi4T8LMDLw4q6
After a short break, we will once again on the road again.

　

Good morning!
Thank you so much for the very warm send off.
We are now on our way to Tottori.
My name is Ryota Amoh(an English teacher at Ikeda Elementary School) and I will be updating you with photos and brief summaries for the next three days. Please take a look at the website throughout these three days as I will be sending new information when I have a free minute or two.
Please stay tuned in.

昼食後、萩をあとにし、新山口駅まで戻って来ました。
定刻の発車、ただいま新幹線の中です。貸切でないため、それぞれが気をつけながら、会話を楽しんだり、ゆっくりしたりしています。
２時間弱で新大阪に着きます。

萩散策
ウォークラリーのポイントのひとつ
口羽家です。

江戸城の桜田門　表門だった門が
毛利氏に譲られ
毛利氏から口羽氏に譲られた門です。
表門と母屋が残っていると言うのが希少で重要文化財に認定されています。
夜中、門が閉まっている時刻に訪ねてきた人はここの板を叩いて主に知らせました。
その戸叩きをさせていただけるというので、何人もの児童が戸叩きを体験していました。
座敷から庭を隔てて橋本川や対岸の玉江の風景が眺められ、実に風光明媚です。