広島、山口に別れを告げ、大阪へと戻ってきました。
　この３日間は、小学校生活のとても濃くて深い時間となりました。
　広島の平和学習に始まり、秋吉台の雄大な自然、秋芳洞、明倫学舎の見学、萩焼きの絵付け、萩の散策など普段の生活で学べない多くのことを体験してきました。
　また、友だちと楽しい時間を過ごしました。普段見られない友だちの姿や様子にも気づけたことと思います。
　楽しそうに話したり、冗談を言って笑い合ったり、優しく寄り添ったり、大いに盛り上がったり、友だちの存在の大切さを感じる日々だったことと思います。
　
　３日間、毎日天気にも恵まれて本当に暑かったです。ただ、新大阪駅に近づいてくると外は大雨です。そんな中、学校に着くと、先生たちがブルーシートで即席の屋根を作って出迎えてくれました。お陰で濡れずに体育館まで行けました。
　体育館では、解散式をして、全ての修学旅行の行程を終えました。

　いただいたお小遣いで買ったお土産と、楽しいお土産話を持ち帰っていますので、受け取ってくださいね。

　カメラを向けるとステキな笑顔とピースサインをしてくれるかわいい６年生との修学旅行は、とても楽しかったです。

I am closing these updates with a message of peace from Pope John Paul II, in 1981.

War is the work of man.
War is destruction of human life.
War is death.
To remember the past is to commit oneself to the future.
To remember Hiroshima is to abhor nuclear war.
To remember Hiroshima is to commit oneself to peace.

10:30 a.m., 25 February 1981

Thank you all for coming to receive us the heavy rain. That Rainbow Bridge the parents and teachers provided for us was amazing.
All of the children were so happy to have come home to be greeted with warm smiles.
Rest well and we look forward to seeing tomorrow. Please have your child arrive at 10:30. It will be a light day with the teachers checking the physical conditions of the students, reflecting on the trip, and looking at photos. After that, we will have lunch and you will be dismissed at 1:30. See you tomorrow.

Mr Minamoto, from Omura Photography Studio, is the photographer for many schools in Ikeda and goes on Sea Side Swimming Camps, Outdoor Education Camps, and 6th Grade School Trips several times a year. The has been doing this for over 45 years. His knowledge of the routes and activities make him a priceless asset to the city of Ikeda. He would take photographs of the students, but then suddenly appear a hundred meters ahead of us! I have no idea how he’s everywhere. We relied on him not only for world class photographs, but for advice and help with everything for the last 3 days. Thank you so much Photographer Minamoto.

We have arrived at Shin Osaka with a squall to greet us. We are a little wet but we on buses heading to Ikeda ES. All of the students are very much looking forward to seeing their families and sharing their stories of the school trip.

We are now on the Nozomi heading back to Osaka. Everyone seems to very tired and missing home. The students seem so much quieter on the Shinkansen than just 3 days ago. I’m sure all of the students are looking forward to a home cooked meal and a warm bath in their homes.

We are on our way to Shin Yamaguchi to catch out Shinkansen back to Osaka.
Our 4 wonderful bus drivers of 3 days will send 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 from Hiroshima to Akiyoshidai to Hagi and finally Shin Yamaguchi.
Thank you for driving us safely, speedily, and comfortably.

During lunch, the baked Hagi cups were brought into the dining room. The students were all so eager get their cups back. Some students had a hard time finding their cups as they look a bit different after the art has been baked in. But, all of the cups look wonderful and the children seem to be proud of their creations.

We are currently having our last meal of this trip after nearly two hours of exploring this beautiful town. I’m sure everyone has quite the appetite.

　グループ散策では、地図を頼りに、菊屋家住宅、口羽家住宅などの歴史あふれる建物を見学しました。　口羽家では係の方からの説明を聞けたグループもあり、大変勉強になりました。
　暑い中でしたが、萩の町をグループで歩く姿は、とても楽しそうでした。
　
　おこづかいで、夏みかんソフトクリームを食べたり、ジュースを飲んだりしている子どもたちは、「おいしい！」と笑顔がはじけていました。
　
　無事に全員がゴールし、ジュースをもらいました。
　また一つ思い出が増えました。

All but one group has checked in,
They are patiently listening to the history of the Kuchiba Family Residence.
The group that tries to listen to the guides, read the historical signs will take the longest.
It’s so nice to find such a serious group,

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 and the students have been looking forward to a nice refreshing orange soft cream.

As we walk around the shrine, all the teachers could explained several memorials with ease and grace - not reading but paraphrasing so the memorials can be understandable. The teachers do so much work before and during the trip to be able to teach the students in a safe and entertaining way. Thank you for your hard work!

Our first stop for the day is Shoin Shrine (松陰神社, Shōin Jinja) which enshrines Yoshida Shoin, an important figure from Hagi who inspired revolutionary ideas during the twilight years of Japan's feudal age (mid 1800s). Shoin advocated learning from the west and the restoration of power to the emperor, thereby openly challenging the ruling shogunate. Although Shoin did not live to see the Meiji Restoration (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. 
His school that he made permitted everyone to attend unlike the Merinkan which only permitted the aristocracy.  Dozens of historical figures have graced his school including, the first prime minister of Nippon, Ito Hirobumi.

Last night we stayed at the hill top Hagi Kanko Hotel. It’s a modern hotel with beautiful views of the surrounding sea and mountains. They provided beautiful rooms, delicious meals, and special meals for several students and teachers with dietary restrictions. They also have a bath that for only Ikesho students use.
Although we are paying customers, we need to have an attitude of gratitude. It’s easy to forget that the staff are working by 5 AM to prepare breakfast, clean our rooms, clean our rooms, and clean the entire hotel.
Thank you Hagi Kanko Hotel.

　松蔭神社に到着し、吉田松陰について、各クラス担任の先生の説明を聞きながら周りました。

　今日も暑いです。この後、萩のグループ散策です。

　３日目の朝を迎えました。子どもたちは、今朝も元気にしています。
　朝食は、和食です。いただきますの声と同時に箸が進んでいます。

　今日も快晴です。暑さ対策をしながら、過ごしたいと思います。

　夕食の後は、お風呂と買い物に分かれて順番に買い物タイムを楽しみました。
　昨日も買い物をしたのですが、今日もまた購買意欲満々の子どもたちです。
　計算をしながら、友だちと相談しながら、悩みながら、、、時間をかけて選んでいました。
　
　明日は最終日です。明日も元気にたくさんの思い出をつくりたいと思います。
　就寝の時間が過ぎ、子どもたちは疲れて寝ています。

After dinner and a bath, the students had another chance to shop in the hotel’s gift shop. Here are just a few photos of them buying gifts for their families.

Another action packed day!
After dinner and a bath, the students are writing reflections on the day. After that, they playing cards, or talking in groups. Here are some photos of the students before the lights are turned out.