Da Vinci Design Atlas Program

Day 6, Part 3: Cruise on Lake Ashi
What a fun ferry ride we had. Short but so beautiful!

Day 6, Part 2: Mount Komagatake
It's not clear which part was the most exciting for the students--the view of Mount Fuji, being at the top of Mount Komagatake, or taking the gondola up the side of the mountain!

Day 6, Part 1: Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
We drove up a windy road to a viewpoint of the park that had sulfuric fumaroles coming from an active volcano. It was smelly but so beautiful! Many students and teachers chose to wear masks, not just for the smell, but to keep our lungs safe.

Here they make black eggs by cooking them in sulphurous water which have beneficial health properties.

Day 5, Hotel 2: Paipu No Kemuri Atami
We stayed at a more traditional, old fashioned hotel in this region where each person was provided with a yukata (similar to a kimono but made of a lightweight material to wear at any time) to wear around the resort. Many of the students tried them on!

Day 5, Part 3: Hachimangu Shrine
Next we weathered the rainy weather to visit this beautiful shrine and then explored Kamakura on our own. The chaperones found an incredible omakase sushi spot!

Omakase sushi is considered a form of respect and a compliment to the chef to order omakase style, especially in Japan. It means that you trust the chef to provide you with a great meal.

Day 5, Part 2: The Great Buddha of Kamakura
Today we visited one of the largest Buddha statues with ears that are 6 feet tall! Some students chose to go inside as well. There were Sakura (cherry blossom trees) all around, creating a relaxing vibe.