If you watch any anime at all, you’ll know the classic story archetype of the “school trip,” when all the students go off to some interesting part of Japan together. Last week my son took his school trip to Kyoto and Nara, the ancient capitals of Japan. The timing was perfect: this year marks the 1300th anniversary of the establishment of Nara, and there are many celebrations to take part in. He visited all the famous places in the two cities, like Nijojo Castle, with “nightingale floors” that make sounds when you walk on them to keep ninjas from sneaking in, and the breathtaking Todaiji temple in Nara, which houses the largest statue of Buddha in Japan. My son and some of his friends also did like the Lucky Star girls in episode 21, making the trek to take their photo in front of the headquarters of Kyoto Animation, the studio that created Lucky Star, Haruhi and Clannad, which made me jealous as hell.
When otaku go to Kyoto, they visit KyoAni’s headquarters.
