Kobe Overnight: a roadtrip to see castles, shrines and costal sights 🏯🚌 Last Friday, our Open Campus Block II students kicked off their overnight trip with a bus ride from Kyoto to Himeji, making a stop at a Japanese highway service area along the way. These rest stops are a little more luxurious than your typical gas station, with full food courts, souvenir shops, and regional snacks. A perfect chance to stretch their legs, grab lunch, and experience a unique part of Japanese road trip culture.   After arriving in Himeji, students explored the famous Himeji Castle with local guides, learning about its 400-year history and the clever defensive design that helped protect the castle during the samurai era. Often called the “White Heron Castle,” its bright white walls and elegant silhouette make it one of Japan’s most recognizable landmarks. As they walked through the castle grounds and climbed through the historic interior, students got a closer look at the architecture and design th...