Class Trip

Up to this point on their trip, the students have been traveling by train or bus, and have stayed in one big group. But on the third day, the students get to do what they have really been looking forward to doing: split up into smaller groups and sightsee on their own, without the supervision of their teachers. In their small groups, the students hit the streets of Kyoto in taxis to get around the city. For perhaps the first time in their lives, the students are responsible for calculating their own expenses, such as temple admission fees and the cost of lunch; and for budgeting their time so that they can make every stop they have scheduled. Their tour includes temples like Kiyomizu-dera, famous for being built out over a steep cliff; and Ryoan-ji, known for its rock garden. They also visit Sanjusangen-do, a temple building that contains 1,001 statues of Kannon, an important Buddhist divinity. Sanjusangen-do is also known for the archery competitions held during Japan's Edo period (1603-1868). Another place on the students' itinerary is Nijo Castle, built by the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616) as a Kyoto stronghold.


One stop on the trip is Horyu-ji, built in the seventh century. The five-tier pagoda is the world's oldest wooden building and is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Each student gets to paint a picture on his or her own Kiyomizu ware teacup. The cups are displayed at the school fair in the fall. Students by a corridor at Horyu-ji. Seeing it up close is a big thrill for the students.

Before their trip, the students learn about Kyoto and Nara in class. After the trip, they summarize their experience in reports and essays, which they display at the school fair. One unique tradition at Kojimachi Middle School is composing haiku for the class trip album. For many years now, the students have been writing haiku based on what they saw and felt on the trip, and pasting their haiku alongside the photos in the albums.

The class trip is one of the few long-distance excursions for students at Kojimachi Middle School. It is looked forward to eagerly and is also a great learning opportunity.


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