Mustangs rub the Buddha’s belly in Japan

By Elizabeth Kneisly
Staff Writer

Mira Costa students expanded their horizons on a trip to Japan over spring break. About 30 students packed their bags and flew to Japan to get a taste of Japanese culture for a week.

The Japan trip was sponsored by Educational Tours. During the whole stay, the group had a tour guide, Yumi Nishigaki. She was born and raised in Japan and shared everything she knew about the culture. Nancy Geczi, Brittney Beauchaine, and Sandra Martinez, also accompanied the students as chaperones.

“Japan was the trip of a lifetime for so many,” Geczi said. “I was proud to show Mira Costa students the country of my ancestors.”

During the first few days of the trip, the travelers explored Tokyo. They had the opportunity to see the Imperial Palace Plaza, the Meiji Shinto Shrine, and Asakusa Kannon Temple. The students also had free time in Tokyo.

“The trip was a great experience,” senior Eli Mulvihill said. “We saw amazing things from the super-high tech Akihabara district to the serene shrines and castles in rural Japan.

The next place the travelers went to was Kamakura. Here, the students were able to see one of the largest outdoor Buddhas, The Great Buddha. In Kamakura, the group was greeted by many blooming cherry blossom trees, Sakuras, an abundant flower of Japan.

“Traveling to Japan and being with all of the students was honestly one of the top five things I have ever done in my life,” Beauchaine said. “It was so great getting to know all of the students better. Japan is a magical country, and I loved the cherry blossoms.”

Hakone is another city the students visited. They stayed at a “ryokan,” which is a traditional Japanese inn. The students wore Japanese kimonos, had an exotic Japanese dinner, and slept on Japanese mats. The dinner was a variety of Japanese food including sushi, octopus, fish, rice, and miso soup.

“The whole trip was incredible; it is so hard to choose a favorite part, but I especially enjoyed Nara,” junior Connor Kernochan said. “The bowing deer and the largest indoor Buddha were sights I will never forget. The trip to Japan was awesome because we got to view a part of the world that many people may never get to see.”