This summer, I spent sixteen days studying abroad in Japan as part of the Honors Passport: Japan program. The program focused on Japan’s history and architectural heritage through different periods. One of the reasons I selected this program was its designation as an Honors Passport program. I was drawn to the inclusive nature of these programs, because they treat having students from different majors as an advantage and not a drawback. Additionally, I took an art history class in high school where we discussed Japanese temples like Ryoan-ji. Through this program, I wanted to find a meaningful connection to the Japanese art and architectural works I analyzed in AP Art History. Having the program be faculty-led was a plus because you can easily get lost in the busy train stations with their many exits!

We started our journey in the Kansai region of Japan, where we visited numerous temples and shrines in Nara and Mount Koyasan. The latter is a religious place and is known as the eternal meditation site of one of the founders of a Buddhist school. My favorite part of the trip was staying in a Shukubo, lodging in a Buddhist temple, for one night. It was a simple room with a mattress, a small table holding a kettle and a few cups, and tatami mats covering the floor. We woke up early to attend the morning prayer and have a traditional monk breakfast. The whole experience was surreal, especially with nature surrounding us in all corners. We visited many temples throughout the program, but I was not expecting to stay in one and live in a monk’s quarters for a day!

Slowly, we made our way to Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan. We learned about the various schools of Buddhism, and this was where I witnessed the beauty of Zen gardens, especially Ryoan-ji. We also visited the imperial gardens and castles in Kyoto, and they were stunning. Following Kyoto, we made our way to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial commemorating the lives lost from the atomic bomb. If there was a museum where I read almost all the words on the walls, it would be the Hiroshima Peace Museum. I knew how catastrophic this event was, but stepping into the museum and reading through stories of families getting ruined by the bomb and its after-effects was just shocking. Everyone, especially the citizens of countries with nuclear weapons, must visit the museum. A few feet away from the museum is the Genbaku Dome. It was the only building left standing in the area after the bomb exploded. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a reminder to everyone of the horrors of that day but also showcases the importance of keeping peace.

A click of me poking through a hole in a red, polka-dotted pumpkin on Naoshima Art Island.

On our way to Tokyo, we visited two islands. One was home to a floating torii gate and another was full of modern art installations. I was surprised to find a modern art collection in Japan, but through it, I discovered the work of one of Japan’s great contemporary artists, Yayoi Kusama. My favorite installation of hers on the island was the red, polka-dotted pumpkin with holes in between. The three museums on the island with their concrete walls gave me a dystopian feel, and I loved the room that presented a depth illusion.

Our last stop was Tokyo, the largest city in the world with more than 37 million residents. Tokyo is home to numerous established automobile companies, cutting-edge AI research, innovation, etc. When it comes to technological advancement, Japan is at the top of the list. The bullet trains, high-tech toilets, and efficient public transportation system are evidence of that. Another example that showcases their technological skills was when I was purchasing clothes at Uniqlo, a Japanese brand known for its simplistic style of clothing. The cashier was able to output an itemized list of the items I gave him without scanning a single barcode. He put my clothes in a basket and placed it in the center of the counter, and voila the screen showed the correct total in about 10 seconds! Apart from their technological prowess, what truly sets them apart is their humility and discipline. Small practices, such as staying on the left side of the escalator to allow others to pass on the right, maintaining silence on public transportation, and valuing time, left a lasting impression on me. Can you imagine an international airport that hasn’t lost a single piece of luggage in 30 years? That’s Kansai International Airport in Japan for you, and that goes to show how much value they give to people and their belongings. Overall, I’m pleased to have gained insights into Japan’s cultural and religious perspectives, its rich history and architectural heritage, as well as its technological advancements.