A Kinkaku-ji Visit by Tawnya Plumb

Many may recognize this photo as Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto. Otherwise known as the Golden Pavillion, vistors worldwide pay a vist and take a photo to try to capture its beauty. I was awed by the temple, pond, gardens, and vastness of greenery. But it was the memories of the people I met at Kinkakuji that remains with me today. I visited in the spring, along with what felt like all the Japanese high school students on Honshu. As an assistant English teacher in a Japanese high school, I gravitated toward the students. Much to my pleasure, the students used this experience to practice their English with me. In fact, many students had an English assignment to interview native English speakers. I had a much longer visit than I had expected! To see their enthusiasm for English was wonderful. On the Kinkakuji grounds, tea ceremony was being held. One female student encouraged me to join in the ceremony and did a fine job explaining the ceremony to me in English. This, among my many memories of Japan, reminds me of the kindness and hospitality of those I met. For a more historic perspective of Kinkakuji, please visit http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english/e_kinkakuji/index.html.