EXCURSIONS
EX - 1 NARA FULL DAY
Date: September 3 (Wed.) 08:30 〜 17:00
Fare: \ 13,500 per person (lunch included) Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
08:25 Be ready for departure in the lobby of Kyoto International Conference Hall. 08:30 Leave there by motor coach.
Todaiji Temple
This temple is well known for its principal image, the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), one of the largest bronze statues in the world. Kegon, or Avatamska in Sanskrit, literally means a garland or a bouquet of beautiful flowers. In the first week after having become the Enlightened One, or a Buddha, Sakyamuni sat down in profound meditation. Then in the second week, he preached the Kegon doctrine, the very beginning of all his teachings. The construction of Todaiji Temple commenced at the command of Emperor Shomu in 745 and was successfully completed in 752. Through successive generations, Todaiji temple has enjoyed the supreme honor as the head of all the provincial temples as well as one of the "Seven Great Temples of Nara".
With the cooperation of Todaiji, you will have a rare opportunity to enter restricted areas. Observe with amazement a statue of Buddha towering all of 155 feet in the world's largest wooden building. Visit "Todaiji Seishine", a rehabilitation hospital for disabled children (mostly with cerebral palsy), established forty years ago by Todaiji Temple.
Horyuji Temple
This is not only one of the oldest existing temples in Japan, it is actually the oldest wooden structure in the world. It is believed to have been founded by Empress-Regnant Suiko (reigned 592-628) and her regent, prince Shotoku (574-622). Prince Shotoku was the eldest son of Emperor Yomei and a nephew of Empress-Regnant Suiko. One of the "Seven Great Temples of Nara" and the headquarters of the Shotoku sect, this temple is regarded as the source of Japanese art and culture. Consisting of two parts, the Toin (East Temple) and the Saiin or Nishi-no-in (West Temple), it includes nearly 50 important buildings, with the period of their construction ranging from the Asuka period (592-628) to the Edo period (1603-1867). Sixteen of them are National Treasures, while the rest are Important Cultural properties. The West Temple is generally mistaken as the entire Horyuji Temple, probably because the East Temple is in a separate enclosure.
Note: Tour may be canceled should the number of participants fail to reach 30.
EX - 2 Mt. HIEI & LAKE BIWA
Date: September 4 (Thu.) 08:00 〜 16:30
Fare: \ 13,500 per person (lunch included) Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
07:55 Be ready for departure in the lobby of Kyoto International Conference Hall. 08:00 Leave there by motor coach.
Mt. Hiei
Alt.848m. This is famous for its spectacular view from the summit and for its prestigious Enryakuji Temple. Enryakuji is one of the most important temples in the country, both from an historic as well as a religious standpoint. The principal buildings of Enryakuji Temple are Kompon-Chudo (Central Hall), Kaidan-in (Ordination Hall) and the Mausoleum of Dengyo-Daishi, all located at Toto (East Quarter). The Central Hall is a National Treasure, while the Ordination Hall is an Important Cultural Property. Shakado (Sakyamuni Hall) and the famous Sorinto Column (both Important Cultural Properties) are at Saito (West Quarter), while Yokawa-Chudo Hall and Nyohoto Pagoda are at Yokawa. The Central Hall contains many valuable treasures, including a statue of Yakushi-Nyorai (an Important Cultural Property) carved by Sachio. Near the Shimeigatake Parking Lot atop Mr. Hiei are a natural science museum, an amusement park and a revolving observation pavilion that offers a magnificent, panoramic view of Lake Biwa, Kyoto and the surrounding mountain ranges.
Lake Biwa
The largest lake in Japan, it was named because it is shaped like a biwa, or lute. The lake lies 85.6 m above sea level, has a circumference of 277 km, an area of 671.7 sq.km and a maximum depth of 103.8 m. Geologists believe that the lake was formed by a subsidence of the land 1.5 million years ago, when it was a much larger lake. The islets in the lake such as Chikubu, Take, Shiraishi and Okinoshima are composed of volcanic rock. In accordance with the Chinese custom of the late 15th century, eight views around the lake (Omi-Hakkei) were selected as the most beautiful. From the north, they are "Evening Snow on Mr. Hira," "Flight of Wild Geese Descending on Katata," "Night Rain at Karasaki," "Evening Bell at Miidera temple," "Breezes on a Fine day at Awazu," "Evening Glow at Seta," "Autumn Moon at Ishiyama" and "Returning Sails at Yabase." In addition, Biwako Hakkei, or the eight best views of Lake Biwa, were selected in 1950 as the finest scenes of Biwako (Lake Biwa) Quasi-National Park. Koi (carp), funa (crucian carp), ayu (sweetfish) and many other types of aquatic life make their habitat in the lake. The freshwater clams are famous.
Note: Tour may be canceled should the number of participants fail to reach 30.
