Theme

The theme of Fireside 2013 Spring Retreat is “Making all of Asia our home”. Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 794. The city, and its Buddhist temples, were built by Indians, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese together. It was a cosmopolitan Asian city at the end of Silk Road which celebrated the diversity and richness of all of Asia. Let’s spend time together in this ancient Asian city, feeling, discussing, and sharing what it means for each of us to make all of Asia our home. Specifically, we will discuss how we can make cities we stay in at fireside – Seoul, Tokyo, HK, Cheju, and now Nara – our “home towns”. More on this at the retreat!

Thursday 25-Apr

• 18;45 Meet up at lobby Only arrived members
• 19:00- Casual dinner at “PokuPoku” Only arrived members Fixed
• 21:00 Optional drinks Only arrived members TBD

Friday 26-Apr

• 8:00 Breakfast at restaurant. Welcome remarks.
• 9:00 Lobby (Move to Saidai-ji Temple by Bus)
• 9:00-9:30 Introduction (in bus)
• 9:30-11:00 Saidaiji Temple
  Group visit to Saidaiji
  Special ochamori (a tea ceremony using giant tea bowls)
  Move to Yakushi-ji Temple by Bus
• 12:00-14:30 Yakushiji Temple, Lunch (Udon) with monks; Group visit to Yakushiji; Special entry to Toto (East Pagoda) being dismantled
• 15:00-15:30 Meditation (by Julianne), Following up on Cheju meditation session.
• 15:40-17:40 Watch Naomi Kawase’s film; Watch Cannes Award Winner film prior to tomorrow’s talk
• 17:45-18:45 What’s on your mind? Break out into groups for What’s on your mind session
• 19:00-21:00 Dinner at “Irori dining Tanaka” with Nara mayor w/Nara mayor, Mr.Nakagawa Fixed

Saturday 27-Apr

• 9:00 Move to Rohto Pharmaceu=cal Training Ins=tute by Walk
• 9:15-11:30 Daialogue with Naomi Kawase, Discuss her love for Nara and movies, and Nara Internaional Film Festival
• 12:00-13:30 Lunch at “Hirasou” w/Kawase-san, Hirai-san Fixed
• 14:30-17:00 Todaiji Temple, Todaiji Tourism （Daibutsu, Great Buddha of Nara）, Experience calligraphy
• 18:00-21:00 Dinner at “Awa”, a restaurant using organic local produce from historical seeds

Sunday 28-Apr

• Check out

Participation fee

Participation fee is the same as last time, USD300. Please pay Nami Matsuko the fee during the trip.

Hotel cost

We have booked the rooms for all participants. Please pay for the room cost by yourself when you check out . Room charge is JPY23,000/Night including tax and breakfast.

First event

For those of you arriving on Thursday evening, let’s gather at the lobby at 18:45 to head out to dinner together. The official program starts at 8am at hotel dining room with breakfast.

Participants

• Adrian Cheok
• Claire Chino
• Joon Chung
• Kumi Fujisawa
• Gen Kanai
• James Kondo
• Joon Kim
• Joseph Kim
• Joon-hyuk Lee
• Julianne Lee
• Seung-yeon Lee
• Nami Matsuko
• Hongsung Moon
• Etsuko Okajima
• William Saito
• Yat Siu
• Oliver Spiesshofer
• Kohey Takashima
• Robby Yung

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