This is the time of maple, cherry and ginko leaf viewing in Japan when people of all ages set out to enjoy the changing colours of Autumn. Here are a few scenes from Arashiyama, one of the most famous spots in Kyoto.

Last week, our EAS course ventured into the controversial past of wartime Japanese nationalism with a talk by Hal Gold, author of ‘Unit 731 Testimony’. Unit 731 was a covert biological and chemical research and development unit of the Imperial Japanese Army that undertook lethal human experimentation during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) and World War II.

On a lighter note, the course continues this week with a presentation about ‘Kaiseki’, a traditional Japanese meal analogous to Western haute cuisine, by local kaiseki chef Joseph Justice. Using only fresh seasonal ingredients, present day kaiseki is a type of art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colors of food. Following the class all the students will head out to sample the wares at one of Kyoto’s famous kaiseki restaurants built around a traditional garden.

Finally, two students had a chance to spend the weekend with local families in the neighbouring prefecture of Shiga and to enjoy the surrounding countryside, local pottery and ‘being one of the kids’ with the neigborhood children!