Departed Toba on Sunday via train for our eventual destination, the ancient city of Kyoto; but first a stop in the city of Nara where we visited the famous Todaiji Temple & its Buddha statue. The park area where the temple complex is located is unique for a variety of reasons, but its free roaming deer are rather inquisitive & greedy. These deer are regarded as the messenger of the Shinto god, & thus protected.
On Monday we began our day with a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine to witness the site’s tunnel of an estimated 10,000 red Tori gates. Yes, it’s MORE shrines & temples, always crowded, but after all this trip was dubbed TEMPLES, SHRINES & TREASURES.
The real treat of the day was lunch & entertainment at a karyukai where we had a sumptuous lunch, learned about maiko (geisha apprentice), entertained with song & dance & had an opportunity to learn about the profession of a geisha.
After lunch, it was another temple, Kinkakuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we saw the Temple of the Golden Pavilion which dates from 1387.
We had a bit of free time in the afternoon, so we headed for a delightful excursion of shopping where Melina & I found treasures, while Joan encouraged. Fashion is quite important in Japan, & much of it is quite beautiful & unique.
Tuesday found us visiting the Tenryuji Garden, beautiful & serene, & a bamboo grove. Then, our last castle visit, the Nico Castle Complex where we visited a palace of the last Shogun. No pictures inside & no shoes.
Tonight was a traditional Japanese farewell dinner where we shared our surprises, likes & dislikes, & said goodbye to those headed home or elsewhere. The 14 of us got along famously, for the most part. We had a Trip Experience Leader from Egypt who didn’t try hard enough to meld with the group.
Main house of the Buddha at the Todai-ji Temple, largest wooden building in the world. Has burned several times through the years, but has stood now since the 1700’s. Impressive grounds, but the hordes of tourists make it difficult to truly appreciate.Daibutsu – an impressive 52 foot Buddha in the temple in Nara. His raised hand symbolizes no fear.Sika deer which roam freely in the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Todaiji Temple. Noriko gave each of us biscuits to feed the deer. Didn’t want to participate, but she insisted.Wall of 10,000 red torii gates at the Shinto Shrine in Kyoto. Very difficult to capture the wonder of this marvel.Have become very adept at using chopsticks even with rice & noodles. Perfectly fine to bring small bowl close to face & scoop. Also, drink miso soup, not spoon; acceptable to slurp in this polite Japanese culture.Lisa receiving her drink from the Maiko, an apprentice geisha. Maiko begin their training between 15 & 20 years old. Like geishas, they don traditional kimonos & often have special talents, such as dancing, singing or playing an instrument.A 26 year old geisha performed a beautiful song for us, while the Maiko danced.Maiko dance performance. Lives in a house (karyukai) with other apprentice geisha, & works 6 days out of 7. Has little if any contact with the outside world. No cell phones, no socializing with peers. Sees her parents only when they come to one of her performances.Geisha, Judy, Maiko after a delicious Japanese lunch, performance & q&a. Quite the commitment to become a geisha. Some commit for life; one 80 years old in this karyukai. Reminded me so much of one committing to become a nun, except no religion associated with the geisha commitment.Noriko with the gentleman of the Geisha who help the Maiko into their elaborate dress.Golden Zen Buddhist Temple in the pouring rain. Dates from 1387.Tenryuji Garden in Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with very much a Zen feeling. Not so busy here this morning, so we could experience the Zen atmosphere. Trees are just hinting at their fall colors.Arashiyama Bamboo Grove canopy. In one year, bamboo grows to this height. Forest is closely monitored for regrowth, so forest stays lush & abundant.This view at the bamboo grove reminds me of a spot at the Morton Arboretum.Garden of sacred lotus. Beginning to show the approaching fall, although doesn’t feel at all like fall. Unusually warm.Nijo Castle Complex where we visited the Ninomaru Palace. No pictures allowed in this palace. It was the home of the last Shogun before it was returned to the authority of the Imperial Court in 1867. The Shoguns, military, ruled Japan for 350 years.
Leaving colorful Kyoto for Hiroshima, City of Peace, on Wednesday on another bullet train. Hope to share what will undoubtedly be a moving experience, visiting the Peace Memorial Museum, with you.
You have some award winning photos on this trip. It is so amazing. I have seen a lot of Japanese tourists wearing these really cute jeans fitted on top but wide legs. Can’t wait to chat and hear more about your trip. Be safe and safe travels.
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