We celebrated New Year's Eve Japanese-style by visiting a fair-like shrine and witnessing a majestic temple ceremony.

We went from the quiet (and cold!) of a Zen monastery to the bustling crowds of downtown Kyoto all in one day.

Read about our first day in Japan, complete with many temples, shrines, and friendly deer! 

After entirely too long on planes and in airports, we finally arrive in Japan!

Course bloggers Allie and Miriam introduce themselves as they prepare for the upcoming trip.