Chasing Dawn: Where West Becomes East

We've arrived in Japan. The 10 hour plane ride was anti-climactic. Delta kept our stomachs full and our eyes occupied with a steady stream of bad movies. Most remarkable was the fact that the sky was never dark.

Japan from the air was incredible: dense cities fill every inch of the valleys between lush wooded mountains.

The Kansai International Airport was very strange. As we disembarked, we saw no one but the people on our plane. The customs hall was a large sterile room with a single long queue, an analog ceiling clock, and a large sign in red letters announcing that careful inspections would take place for the prevention of terrorism. Still, everything was easy and efficient. We didn't have to say a word, simply handed in our custom cards, placed our index fingers on the scanners, and smiled for the camera. By the time we got to the baggage claim, an attendant had pulled our luggage off the conveyor belt and lined them up in  a row.

 

From KIX six of us got into a taxi and were driven to Myoshinji Temple. The highways of Japan, at least in the Osaka-Kyoto area are dismal. Although the highways are surrounded by beautiful landscapes, you can't see them most of the time. There are retaining walls, chain link fences, and massive curved acoustical barriers in the way.

 

 

When we approached the cities, they were far from beautiful. One of my professors had warned me not to expect beauty in everything. He was right. So far, the modern cities are gray, industrial, and slightly dilapidated.

We arrived at Daishin-in, which is one of the many temples within the Myoshinji Temple complex. This will be our home for five weeks. It's a beautiful place with wonderfully preserved architecture and a verdant garden.

After we settled ourselves we decided on dinner. After hearing so much about it last term, we chose Oyaji Ramen for our first meal in Japan. This ramen was superb. If you've not eaten ramen in Japan then forget every ramen you've ever had. They can't possibly compare to the real deal. I don't know whether Oyaji Ramen is the best in Kyoto but it was absolutely delicious: thick, juicy slices of pork each with the layer of fat still attached; rich and dark broth; tender, home-made noodles; and plenty of spring onions. All for 600 Yen (roughly $7.56).