This is our first field study abroad since BAHS program has started (during Covid-19 years).
This is our first field study abroad since BAHS program has started (during Covid-19 years). Kobe and Kyoto were our chosen destination due to that 1) the two cities have been known to engage in sustainable developments and practices in different contexts, 2) the transportations and infrastructures were convenient. However, during the trip we got to visit not only educational places relating to sustainability, but also recreational and sigh-seeing places that amazed the first timers to Japan. Below is our itinerary and activities.
Day 1: Kobe
- Visiting Kobe’s Chinatown: this is where we learn about the history of migration in Kobe.
- Kobe Port and…shopping mall near the port (student’s favorite activities lol)
Day 2: Kitano-cho and Kobe’s Earthquake Museum
- Today, we continued to explore how migrations from abroad has shaped Kobe’s cultural and city-scapes. Kitano-cho is a district where there are many foreign style architects constructed.
- In the afternoon, we went all the way to the eastern side of the city to visit the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial. For many of us, we were not born yet when the great earthquake struck in Kobe. The museum gave us a lot of immersive experience and insight.
Day 3: Universal beach project at Suma Beach and Sake brewery
- Heading west of the city to Suma beach. Here we met the team who has been providing services to people who need extra help to access the beach. Students got to hand-on some equipment as well.
- In the afternoon, we headed to Sake Brewery called “Fukuju”. Apart from learning about Sake production, we learned about the environmental challenge that Sake industry in Japan is going through: changing climate!
Day 4: Kobe University
- The day that many of us were waiting: joining the academic activity at the Faculty of Global Human Sciences. We appreciate the help of Professor ITO Tomomi for arranging the activities for us, including bento lunch.
- In the afternoon, we had to say goodbye to Kobe as our next stop is Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto Seika University, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- We woke up early in the morning and headed to Imperial Palace. The palace is open to the public to see beautiful Zen-style garden. It was a good morning walk!
- Then, we visited Kyoto Seika University, which is our long-time partner. Students from Kyoto Seika also joined and a few of them could speak Thai! Amazing!
- We ended our first day in Kyoto by visiting the famous Kiyomizu-dera (clear-water temple). Some of us got to taste the holy water here!