As I write this, I will not be returning back to my campus in Japan again. I've finished all classes, and all that is left is to write another essay and take an online final next week. I plan for this to be my last post from Japan, so that I can focus on enjoying my final week here. Once I return home, I'll write one more post outlining my last activities and final reflections.
Two weeks ago, on April 9th, the guys and I awoke early for a day trip closer to Mt. Fuji where we could catch the last of the Sakura bloom. After sleeping for 3 hours on the long train ride, we stepped out of the station to the majestic Mt. Fuji, which fills your entire periphery when you look at it. The effect simply cannot be captured from photographs. We got some tasty vegetable hotpot udon before strolling around Lake Kawaguchi, where the path was lined with Sakura and crowds of others who were also getting in some final Hanami. After the long walk, we decided an onsen was in order, and went to one that was part of a hotel on the lake. One entire wall of the bath was a window which looked straight onto the mountain. The soak was very relaxing and lent itself to meditation on the massiveness of Fuji-san. On the ride back, we made a stop at Chureito Pagoda, where one can see the pagoda and Mt. Fuji in the same view. Ian and I made a run for it from the station, because we wanted to catch the view before the sun fully set. We were exhausted after the steep staircase, but successful.
On last Friday and Saturday, Rachel and I took a trip to Kamakura, a historic town 2 hours south of Tokyo dense with temples and shrines. On Friday we first made a stop at the nearby Yuigahama Beach, but it was an especially windy day and the sand was blowing everywhere. Also, there were flocks of crows who were very interested in our food, and were actually successful in stealing a pastry while we tested the water temperature, even though it was sealed in two bags and placed under our backpacks. After checking into our airbnb which was only about a block from the seaside, we went to Hase-Dera temple, which was very beautiful. It had the Benten Cave burial site and a great garden. It also had several regal statues which stood in front of viewpoints of the city, and then the intricate temple was at the top of several series of steps. On Saturday, we started by going to a super cute cafe called Cafe Sakanoshita hidden in some back pathways between houses and covered in vines. I got matcha pancakes that were great, and there was a garden right outside large windows, as well as rugged wooden flooring, ceilings, and tables and chairs which gave it a very cozy feel. Then, we went to the Daibutsu (giant buddha) in Kamakura that I had tried to visit before but it closed early. It has quite a presence once you get close, and we even got to go inside. After this, we attempted to go to a fox themed shrine, and followed google maps to a supposed shortcut through a forest. It was raining heavily this day, and the trail was basically one big puddle. We kept going on the wrong pathways and getting our socks wet, so we eventually gave up and took the paved roads to Zeniarai Benten Shrine, a beautiful shrine that you have to go through a large cut in the mountainside to get to. Once you get through the passageway, it opens up into a clearing with waterfalls, Torii gates, and another cave with a stream inside of it. It was definitely one of the more spiritual feeling shrines I've been to. Finally, we went to Ofuna-Kannonji, another Daibutsu. This one however depicts Kannonji, the Goddess of Mercy. You can see her head from the roadside, and when you round the corner to go up the stairs it again peaks around the corner at you imposingly. From her position there is also a great view of the city. You can go inside of this statue as well and there are long chains of origami cranes, artworks, and a prayer altar. I asked Kannonji to help my shoulder heal. We had planned to also go to Enoshima after this, but were both too tired and took the train back home to get some rest instead.
Then, on Sunday, I finally held my first photography exhibition! All things considered, it went pretty smoothly. Setup was a little stressful and took longer than expected, but it turned out just like I imagined! Not too many people stopped in, but all my friends did which was enough for me, and they all liked mine. I also printed smaller prints to try and sell. No one bought them so I gave them away to each of my friends that came instead. It was excellent experience to have to create an exhibition from start to finish and figure out all the necessary steps. I was very happy with the result, as well as the other artists' finished products who exhibited with me.
Despite my ongoing less than optimal state of health which I can't tell if is due to sickness, allergies, or just lack of sleep, I also went to the club on Tuesday with Ian and Matt. We went to Warp Shinjuku, which they had been to several times and told me was fun. It was indeed the coolest I've been to here, and we chose Tuesday because it was Techno night. Unless someone does some heavy convincing, I believe I've now gotten my fill of clubbing here and plan on sleeping before 6 am from now on (my ears hurt)!