I was feeling brave today...

So I decided to venture to campus, then to Kawaramachi/Sanjo again...alone!

It's actually really simple, because the bus goes by Ritsumeikan on its way to Sanjo. I even managed enough Japanese to buy a day pass for the bus (my last attempt was a failure)!

The campus is smaller than I realized, but it will still take me awhile to really get a feel for where everything is. I'm directionally challenged in the worst way.

Once on campus, I came across these students in what appears to be taiko ensemble rehearsal in front of the gym. I watched them practice for a few minutes before beginning my self-guided campus tour.

I left Ritsumeikan and headed for Kawaramachi around 4 p.m. I had a lot of fun last time I went, but it was nice to go alone, too, because when I shop, I like to look at everything--even things I have no intention of buying.

After an hour or so of browsing, I decided to grab a little a la carte dinner from a grocery store. This fountain and seating area happened to be right in front of the store, so I parked on one of the stone cubes with my salad and maki sushi, all of which I successfully at with chopsticks. My chopstick skills are better every day!

After I had exhausted my options in Sanjo, I decided to roam up and down Kawaramachi-dori a bit. I found another mall area, but this one is underground! I suppose they figured since they were digging a hole for the subway, they might as well dig a little more to add some more square footage for restaurants and stores.

I headed back above ground and caught a bus back to Rits. The housing information I received over the summer said I-House 2 is a 30 minute walk from campus, and I wanted to test it out. It was a 45 minute walk. I definitely need to conquer my fear of riding a bike here! I like riding in rural areas and small towns, but the idea of riding around Kyoto freaks me out a little. It's not so much the traffic (because that's not bad on the way to Rits) as using the opposite side of the road. But I'm getting used to that, so maybe tomorrow I'll borrow a bike from the house and see how long of a bike ride it is.