18 JAGS girls on tour to Japan

From Kyoto to Tokyo by bullet train and back again .........................................
(KyototoTokyotoKyototoTokyotoKyototoTokyotoKyototoTokyoKyototoTokyotoKyoto
....where does one end and the next begin?)

........taking in cherry blossom, golden temples, shrines, scooping water from the waterfall, drinking greedily to wish for ‘smartness’, ‘health and long life’ or ‘happiness in love’, walking, eyes shut, from one stone to another at the Kiyomizu-dera temple in hope of finding ‘good relationships’. In Nara they gaped at the enormous statue of Budda; the god’s nostril was so large that one JAGS intrepid explorer climbed through it. There was time to refresh with riceballs, ‘real’ sushi and noodles. An old friend, Dr Omoto showed the group round Kyoto University, one of Japan’s most prestigious centres of learning. The girls were impressed by the kind welcome they had when they visited Shibumaku School in Chiba; two nights with host families from the school gave them an authentic taste of Japanese home life. Alumna, Holly Catling, now teaching English in a Japanese junior high school, joined in the group celebrations. Then a tour of the Japanese Film Company, Comix Wave, to meet again the producer Mr Kawaguchi (remember the Animation Night at JAGS in December?) and to see for themselves the latest technology used in animation. More cultural tastings: the Pokemon Centre, Disneyland and a panoramic view of Tokyo at night from a 150metre tower. Covent Garden draws young people in London the way Harajuku does in Tokyo. What a way to celebrate Ruth Silverleaf’s birthday! What a way to spend the Easter holidays! An incredible experience for the 18 pupils (Year 9 to Year 12), thanks to Japanese teacher, Hiroshi Okura and colleagues David Lazar, Cristina Sanchez and Paula Limbert.