I arrived in Japan four weeks ago and have moved into my small apartment near the Osaka University of Art not far from Kishi, a small town about 45 minutes by train from Shin Osaka where the Shinkansen bullet train can be taken to other large cities. Kyoto is just a 15- minute train ride from Shin Osaka. I was traveling here with my friend Rich Tannen and we decided to head straight away to Kyoto. We went to many temples, Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizudera, Ginkaku-ji, Nanzen-ji, Kodai-ji, Kinkaku-ji, and Ryoan-ji. We also walked around Nishiki Market and Pontocho along the Kamo river. What really stuck out for me this trip was the gardens at Ginkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji. I’m also not far from Nara the ancient capital of Japan where I visited Todai-ji (the largest wooden structure in the world with it’s giant bronze Buddha), Kasuga jinja with it’s many lanterns, and Horyu-ji (the oldest wooden structure in the world) among other temples and shrines.

This past week I’ve been settling in to my apartment and setting out to discover the area where I live outside Kishi called Kannon-cho. This area is mountainous countryside with a river running through it. There are many old farmhouses and light industry. Heading up the hill about a 45 minute walk is the entryway to Chikatsuasuka Museum and it’s trails into the mountains that are the site of many Kofun or ancient stone burial sites. The museum architecture is designed by Tadao Ando. Check out the following two websites, http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/chikatsuasuka/index.htm

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3419153