These cups are quite difficult to draw on but the teachers have done a wonderful job of making interesting cups.

These are some cups designed by classes 1 and 2.

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. Now, we are in the middle of designing our own cups.

At our first stop, we have come to the Meirinkan. It is a historical school founded in 1718. Several graduates have gone on to be politicians, military officers, and diplomats.
https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meirinkan

After a long morning of hiking above and in Akiyoshidai, everyone was in need of a hearty lunch. Thankfully Yasutomiya provided the perfect meal - Warm udon with fried burdock.

After exploring the fields of Akiyoshidai, we then dove into the rolling hills and explored the caves of Akiyoshi Caves
The running river, the cool damp air, the beauty that nature created over the millennia was beautiful. The 17 degree temperature in the caves was the perfect retreat from the 35 degree weather in Yamaguchi.

　秋芳洞の中は、17度で、とても涼しく気持ちよかったです。
　中に入った時には、子どもたちは見たことのない洞窟の様子に感嘆の声をあげていました。自然のつくりあげた何とも言葉にできなき風景が広がっていました。
　それぞれのポイントでは、解説を聞き、ゆっくりと中の様子を観察しました。
　
　昼食タイムは、お腹が空いていたのか、どの子もしっかりと食べています。

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;
After this, we will go into the caves of Akiyoshidai

　ホテルで退館式でホテルの方にお礼を伝え、ホテルを後にしました。
　バスで秋吉台国定公園散策と秋吉台科学博物館見学に分かれて行動しています。

　秋吉台国定公園の景色は、天気もよく、とても素晴らしいです。ここは、日本を代表するカルスト台地で、3億年もの年月をかけて自然が造られました。

　自然の中を散策し普段出会えない植物との出会いもありそうです。ブロッコリーの木は、ブロッコリーみたいです。また帰ったらこの雄大な自然のお話も聞いてみてください。

Today’s main event is Akiyoshi-dai in Yamaguchi.
We are now at Akiyoshidai Museum. We are learning about the nature and history of the area through a short movie and museum exhibits. The students are wide eyed as they watch the movie and they enjoy the exhibits.

All the students were extremely well behaved last night as everyone was tired from a full day in Hiroshima. Of course, there were a few students that were homesick and wanted to see their parents. Fortunately, everyone felt better after sleeping and breakfast.  We just finished departing ceremony - the staff at the Umenoya was fantastic as they treated the children like adults but understanding that they are children. If you have a chance, we highly recommend staying  at the Umenoya Onsen Hotel. 山口県湯田温泉 旅館／ホテル梅乃屋【公式HP】umenoya.net
Now, we are heading to the limestone caves of Akiyoshidai. 

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.

　昨日は、早起きと日中の疲れからか、夜はぐっすりと眠っていました。
　今朝も6時半の起床まで寝ている子どもが多いように感じました。

　山口は、曇り空です。朝、部屋をのぞいて体調を尋ねると、「体調はいいけど、天気がよくない！」と言っている子もいました。雨が降らずに涼しく過ごせるといいのですが、、、。

　朝は洋食でパンを食べました。
昨晩少し体調不良の子もいましたが、今朝は全員元気にしています。

These are some photos of the children in their rooms after dinner.
Some are showing off their souvenirs they just bought,
The other photos show the students working hard writing reflections on their exciting day,

　お楽しみの買い物タイムです。
ホテルのお土産屋さんに順番に子どもたちがやってきます。
　かわいいキーホルダーをきょうだいに買っていたり、親へのプレゼントに入浴剤を選んでいたりと、たくさんのお土産を抱えて、とても満足そうな子どもたちです。

　お風呂に入っているクラスもあり、さっぱりと気持ちよさそうにしています。
　露天風呂もあり、楽しそうな声が外にも聞こえていました。

This evening, the Umenoya hotel a prepared a beautiful beef sukiyaki, a chicken sukiyaki, and tofu nabe to meet all of our needs. We were very happy to here that our dinner was prepared with lovely local Yamaguchi produce.

After dinner, the students will go shopping at the souvenir shop or enjoy a bath. We are hoping the students will go to sleep early tonight after a very long day.

After a long day in Hiroshima, we finally arrived at Umenoya Hotel in Yamaguchi(Yamaguchi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture). We could only enjoy the views of the prefecture from the bus and tomorrow will be our first opportunity to explore.
When we arrived at the hotel, we had an arrival ceremony with representatives making speeches and greeting.
We will check into our rooms and get ready for dinner.

　待ちに待った夕食です。
全員元気にしっかりと食べています。
この後は、入浴とお買い物タイムとお楽しみが続きます。

　宿に到着しました。
バスの中では疲れて寝る子、元気に喋る子、音楽をかけて歌う子など、それぞれに過ごしていました。
　入館式では、ホテルの人からの話をきき、いよいよ部屋へと行きます。
　
　お腹もすいてきました。6時半から夕食です。

Today there are so many schools in Hiroshima from all over the country. I am so happy to see that our students are so well behaved - walking together, listening to the guides, and not complaining in this 36 degree heat. Please tell your children that they did so well when they get home.