HIGASHI HONGANJI
According to original schedule, we planned to visit Kiyomizudera temple in the morning.
We have changed to visit Higashi Honganji temple (http://www.tomo-net.or.jp/guide/index.html) in place of Kiyomizudera temple in the morning. On Dec. 4th because Founder’s hall (refer to figure) which is one of the largest wooden structures in the world is now under renovation so that it is best opportunity for you to look through the wooden flame of huge roof from the scaffolding set up temporarily. Please remind that it is not possible without special permission. You can visit Kiyomizudera temple anytime during conference without reservation.
You will imagine how large the Founder’s hall from the following figures:
Length 76m (253 ft.) x width 58m (193 ft.) x height 38m (127 ft.), 175,967 roof tiles (Kawara), and 927 floor mats (tatami).
SHOYEIDO
After taking lunch together in a restaurant near Kyoto station, we will visit a factory of Shoyeido-incense company (http://www.shoyeido.com/) where you will enjoy how to enjoy natural incense.
Shoyeido is a 300-year old traditional Japanese incense company, established in 1705, producing what is widely considered to be the highest quality, finest natural incense in the world. Our unique fragrances are created from the finest natural ingredients that are hand-blended, using expertise that has been refined and perfected over 300 years.
SUNTORY
The last visit of our tour would be a whisky factory of Suntory (http://www.suntory.com/yamazaki/history.html) near Shyeido company.
Japan's First Whisky to Achieve the Summit of the Whisky World. In 1923, Suntory's founder Shinjiro Torii began constructing Japan's first whisky distillery in Yamazaki in the outskirts of Kyoto. Known since ancient times as Minaseno and famed for its excellent water, this district became the birthplace of Japanese whisky.
In 1929, Suntory introduced Suntory Shirofuda (Japanese for "white label"), Japan's first genuine domestically produced whisky. Kakubin ("square bottle"), a premium Japanese whisky, was born in 1937.
In 1973, Suntory built another distillery in Hakushu at the foot of Mt. Kaikomagatake in the Southern Japan Alps. It developed an unparalleled variety of malt whiskies and highly refined techniques in these two utopias of whisky and brought to market such products as Yamazaki single malt whisky, Hakushu and Hibiki, Suntory's flagship blended whisky.
Following these achievements, Suntory worked even harder in pursuit of yet higher quality. In 2003, Yamazaki 12 Years captured a Gold Award at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC), one of the world's most authoritative international liquor competitions. A year later in 2004, Hibiki 30 Years won the Trophy, the highest award in the Challenge. And in 2005, Yamazaki 18 Years capped off these accomplishments by winning a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. As suggested by these awards, all historical firsts for Japanese whiskies, Suntory's technological capabilities have earned worldwide acknowledgement and appreciation.
