Kyoto Inspiration: Thank You!

Last month Kyoto Seika University formally re-launched Kyoto Inspiration and welcomed a group of eight program participants back to campus for the first time since the pandemic. Over the course of approximately ten days, we enjoyed a wide range of lectures and field trips that touched on subjects such as Japanese cuisine, Noh theater, photography, textiles, manga, and incense. (A comprehensive list of Kyoto Inspiration 2025 activities can be found here.)

Participants were offered a rare perspective into these cultural and traditional industries, one normally inaccessible to the average visitor. Lectures from industry experts, educators, and business professionals provided insight into the changes that have occurred in Kyoto over the years, while the field trips served as a way to gain an embodied experience of the city’s various cultural practices and histories. The final presentations at the conclusion of the program gave everyone an opportunity to reflect on and process their respective experiences and apply it to their own backgrounds and interests. It was a true delight to be able to share this time with such a thoughtful, engaged group. We hope to see everyone back in Kyoto in the very near future!