During the summer of 1997, twelve professors from the United States visited Japan on a Fulbright Hays Research Study Abroad grant. Three of the professors were from Kapi'olani Community College in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their focus was to exchange ideas, learn about Japan's history and culture, and share educational approaches and methodology. Below you will find a few of the photos taken by KCC faculty member Carl Hefner.

Tokyo is Japan's largest city and capital. Tokyo is a mix of modern lifestyles alongside the traditional. Tokyo has some of the world's largest department stores as well as many suburban streets lined with specialty shops and restaurants. Formerly known as Edo, the city has been rebuilt numerous times. Many of the sites of interest to visitors are located in central Tokyo.

Osaka is located in the Kansai region. The Osaka-ben dialect is a colorful contrast to the refined dialect found in Kyoto, another famous city in the Kansai region. A business hub which is older than Tokyo, Osaka is a city known for its abundant industry and commercial activity. Although not famous for its beauty or architecture, Osaka is well known as a city where you can find numerous restaurants and a lively nightlife.

Kyoto , the ancient capital of Japan, is a city with many cultural attractions. There are over 2000 temples and shrines, three palaces, and dozens of gardens and museums. With a population of over 1 million, much of Kyoto looks like any other large Japanese city, but the many cultural sites set it apart from all the rest.

Nara the first capital of Japan is older than Kyoto and dates from 710 to 784, Nara is the number two-tourist attraction in Kansai after Kyoto. Nara was a large metropolis of palaces, temples, shrines and dwellings. Most of them can still be seen today. Pictured at left is the great Buddha of Todai-ji temple.

Kobe is the site of a disastrous earthquake which on January 17, 1995, killed more than 6000 people. In spite of all the damage wrought by the quake, Kobe remains one of Japan’s most attractive cities. Kobe is a port city and has a modest population of Chinese people and a Chinatown district as well. In the late 19th century Kobe was settled by European traders. Both of these influences can be found in the city’s diverse restaurants and architectural styles.

  Hiroshima is the city which became the world’s first atomic bomb target on 6 August 1945. Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park is a constant reminder of that tragic day and attracts a steady stream of visitors from all over the world.

Himeji-jo Castle is the highlight of this town. This is probably the most splendid Japanese castle. It is constructed of wood and is still standing and a monument to the architecture of Japan. The surrounding town itself has little to offer as a tourist attraction, but there are plenty of places to grab a meal on the way to the castle.

Kurashiki means ‘warehouse village’. There are a numberof old black tiled warehouses which have been converted into a collection of museums. Bridges arch over rivers, and willows dip into the water. The whole effect is quite delightful. Kurashiki is a favorite destination with tourists.

Mount Koya-san is a raised tableland covered with thick forests and surrounded by eight peaks in northern region of Wakayama Prefecture. The major attraction on this tableland is a monastic complex, known as Koya-san, which is the headquarters of the Shingon school of Esoteric Buddhism.

Takayama Located in the Japan Alps in central Honshu is the small city of Takayama. Known for its woodworking and carpenters, the city has kept much of its traditional charm. The city has many traditional inns and sake breweries. Takayama is known throughout Japan for 2 two annual festivals: the Sanno Matsuri Festival in April and the Hachiman Matsuri Festival in October.

Asuka is located south of Nara in the Kansai Region. There are two ancient tombs in this town as well as the first true temple in Japan, the Asuka-dera Temple. Inside the temple is the oldest surviving image of Buddha in Japan, which is more than 1300 years old. Pictured here is the Ishibutai Kofun, an ancient burial site.

 Tsumago is a small town designated by the government as a protected area for the preservation of traditional values. Located in the Kiso Valley, surrounded of traditional values and surrounded by the Japan Alps, Tsumago is one of several small towns along the old post road between Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto.

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