Report on J.E.E. Earth Day Hike 2019

Balogun Ola-Davies (a student from Ecole Speciale d’Architecture Paris-Malaquais, France)

On Sunday April 21st, a few exchange students and I joined Ken, Hosoki-san and a family with young kids to embark on the Omuro 88 mini-temple pilgrimage. As we started the Earth Day celebration hike, we didn’t realise the opportunity that was given to us: to experience a reproduction of the famous 88 temple pilgrimage of the island of Shikoku that could be completed in a few hours rather than months, and to be accompanied by such a lively family with energetic kids leading the whole way of the journey.
The highlight of the hike was lunch time with an amazing view of Kyoto and surrounding mountains, followed by my first ever tea ceremony. It was an honour for me to witness such a peaceful and serene moment of sharing with Japanese locals. No amount of pictures of beautiful places or souvenirs bought could rival their heartwarming welcome and the authenticity of this moment.
Thank you again for offering the opportunity to participate. I can’t wait to see the pictures of this wonderful journey.

The Omuro 88 mini-temple pilgrimage

Together we drew an environmental message