It was arranged so that all members of the Japan FMF trip would be able to spend a night with a Japanese host family. My family first took me on a walking tour of Kyoto. This included a visit to an out of the way temple that was beautiful and not crowded. I will never forget the fall foliage alongside the roses of the temple garden.
We also went to a traditional restaurant and even a tour of a sake factory that was centuries old. I really enjoyed a canal boat ride through canals that had been in use for hundreds of years. And yes, I was taken on an educational tour of an ancient sake factory!
Later, they made me a wonderful dinner at home--I had so many different dishes and they were delicious. On the following day, they surprised me with a visit through the countryside to a unique museum called the Miho.
I want to say "domo arigato" to my host family once again. It was a wonderful visit.
Kyoto Canals