Fujii Nao
A Spiritual Place
Churei-Tou is the scenic spot that has made the strongest impression on me. Churi-Tou is a tower honoring the people who were loyal to death for their country, especially the victims of war. This tower is made of stone and thrusts itself toward the sky. Many cherry blossoms enclose the tower, so if I see this area from above in spring, it looks like a gray monolith rising out of a pink sponge. As I walk into the park, I hear the whisper of leaves in the breeze. While cherries are coming out, I can feel some petals in the air touch me and this dance looks like a gentle waterfall from the trees. In each season, I hear the murmurs of victims from the tower. This spiritual place is the most impressive place that I’ve ever visited.
Harada Kouji
My Impression of Tokyo
When I was a first-year student in high school, I first went to Tokyo with my older brother and my mother. I was surprised at something there. It was the quantity of people. There were a lot more people than I had expected. A train filled with people was astonishing; it was difficult for me to even breathe, and it was very tiring for me to only stand. I felt as I had been packed in a box. There are many people everywhere in town, like an army of ants. In particular, I was surprised at the number of people crossing the intersection. From this experience I realized afresh that Tokyo is a big city.
Hayashi Karin
The Unforgettable Taste
The most unforgettable scenic spot is Kinkakuji, which is located in Kyoto. When I went to Kyoto for the high school trip, I saw it for the first time. It sparkled in the sunlight, so it was reflected on the surface of the immediate pond. Because Kinkakuji is a famous tourist attraction, it was frequented by tourists. The season which I visited in was autumn, so the scent of fallen leaves pervaded the air. As for Kyoto, powdered green tea is very famous. I like it very much, so I ate powdered green tea ice cream. I never remember Kinkakuji without recalling the slightly bitter taste of that ice cream. Would you like to visit Kinkakuji?
Kurokawa Tomomi
My Favorite Spot
The most impressive scene spot in Japan is Kinkakuji in Kyoto. When I visited there, I was surprised at its beauty. It was shining gold and it was reflected in the lake which surrounded it. In the lake another temple was shining. The surface of the lake served as an axis of symmetry. The two temples seemed to sympathize. On the top of the temple there was a statue of a phoenix. It looked as if it had just landed, its large wings still spread in the sky. It was so silent that its calm held me motionless. I stood there for a while admiring them. Nothing is more beautiful than Kinkakuji. You had better visit there at least once.
Miyashita Yu
The Sea of Okinawa
The Sea of Okinawa is the most beautiful place I have ever visited. It is very clear and very clean. I couldn’t distinguish between the sky and the sea. When I went to Okinawa, I swam in that sea, which was warmer than I had expected. Though it tasted a little salty, I enjoyed swimming. The beach of sand was white. It looked like star sand. I carried home some of the very fine grains to remind of the sea. I want to visit Okinawa again.
Oshima Saori
Silence
While I was going up a steep hill in Sotome, which is the setting of Silence, by Endo Shusaku, my hair was streaming in the sea wind. When I looked down to the village below, I could see the church but there was no one about. I kept going up, and finally reached the top. I drew a deep breath. The air was a little salty. I could see the vast sea below, with the waves licking the rocks. But I could hear nothing. There was perfect silence. At the limit of the horizon, the sky and the sea blended together. I saw the church glow with the sunset tints as my thoughts turned toward the road I had walked.
Shimana Kyoko
A Memorable Temple
Kodai Temple, which we visited for the school excursion, is a memorable place. When we set foot in the 9rounds, the fiery greenness spread out before me. A slight chill bit the autumn air because tall trees shaded us from the beating sun. The scent of trees floated around each temple. We had our pictures taken with the trees for a background. Kodai Temple is the most memorable place that I have ever visited in Kyoto. I can't forget that sight and feeling.
Shin Yuki
The Most Impressive Place
The most impressive and unforgettable scenic spot is Mount Kuju. The natural beauty of the mountain is striking. Tiny sweet-smelling pink blossoms lined both sides of the road. At the middle of the mountain a dense fog appeared all around. When I looked around I felt as if I was in a place as different as Mars. The sight was dreamlike. Then I climbed to the top of the mountain and surveyed the view. As far as I could see, the green forest and ragged rocks stretched. So I think that Mt. Kuju is a great place where we can feel the natural environment.
Shiomichi Yasuko
Unforgettble Sight
I can't forget the day when I went to Itsukushima Shrine on my elementary school trip. It was gradually getting dark. First I saw the shrine which is near the sea. Then I saw the sea itself. When I first glimpsed the tall gate of the shrine, I gasped. It was lofting in the sea very strongly. The contrast of the red of the tall gate and the dark blue of the sea made me think about how people in the Heian Age felt about it. The gate seemed to be swallowed in the large sea and the sky. I could hear nothing other than the rhythm of the coming and going of the tide. I want everyone who hasn't ever been to Itsukushima Shrine to go there.
Suematsu Takafumi
Everlasting Memories
I was impressed by Mt. Kuju in Kumamoto. The clusters of tiny reddish flowers and the zigzag naked trees relaxed and astonished me. The temptation of the mysterious mist led me to another world. The most impressive thing happened on the top. Far below my exhausted feet I could see a milky sea of clouds. That sight cured me of the pain and stimulated tears of delight. These impressions are stamped on my heart forever.
Uezono Eiko
Nature in Hokkaido
The most scenic place I’ve ever visited is the Rusutsu Highland. It is a ski run in Hokkaido. I went there in winter. It was so cold that I could barely open my eyes. There was nothing but snow as far as I could see. It was deathly quiet there, and all I could hear was the occasional roaring of the wind. The thing I was most impressed by was the contrast made by the bright sky and white snow. Despite the snow, the sky wasn’t gray and dark. It was completely clear and blue, and the sun was shining. The snow was sparkling with reflected sunlight. The sight was more beautiful than any picture I’d ever seen in a book.
Yamasaki Kanako
My Source of Vigor
I was in the basketball club, and I used to practice during spring vacation. On the way to the gym, I always stopped to view the basketball court at my school and a cherry tree behind it. The cherry blossoms were at their best. Their pale pink petals fluttered in the mild vernal sunshine, and the atmosphere was dyed in pale pink. There was nobody besides me, so it was quiet enough to hear the twitter of birds. Whenever I saw this scene, it inspired me to work hard to improve in playing basketball. This scene isn’t well known, but it is my favorite landscape |
