Today we explored the gorgeous little city of Hagi. We spent the entire day here with a tasty Japanese lunch in the middle. Three different stops highlighted our day. In the traditional part of town, we were warmly welcomed into an old mansion to see an example of a traditional house. Outside, many of us feasted on summer orange ice cream. A pottery factory and museum were well-received, and many guests took home cool, handmade pottery. And finally, for me, the most amazing spot: the Buddhist temple of Tokoji. Here, not only a stunning wooden gate greeted us, but lines of stone lanterns with torii gates were mesmerizing. I could have stayed there for hours, watching the light continually changing.

On to South Korea!