tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15231832511121319022024-02-19T16:43:24.780-08:00The Travels of Two AlaskansGilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-27125311590243992882017-04-13T11:20:00.001-07:002017-04-13T11:20:13.437-07:00Helpful Hints When we first arrived in Osaka, we had some American money, which the hotel could change for us, but had the bulk of our travel money in an card. After trying several ATM's with various credit cards and none of them worked, we began to panic. Here we were in Japan with next to no money. Luckily the wonderful man at the hotel desk told us, "Wait until morning, and use the ATM at the post office". My first thought was, "Airport post office?" The post offices all open at 9am, and yup, the card we had worked like a charm in their machine. Even better? They have a button to push to have the commands in English! Score! There are post offices everywhere. At the train station in Kyoto there is a post office next door, very convenient for the traveler.<br />
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I don't remember why, but the day we visited Arashiyama, Hubby sent me alone to the post office. Off I go, confident in my ability to accomplish this mission. I arrive at the post office, a short walk from our hotel, go in push the buttons stick in the card, and that's when the trouble begins. So, you know that the first number you poke in arrives at the end? Poke the "4", and the machine reads, ".04". As you poke the zero button the number grows, right? Ok, so far so good. Now, I have an issue with numbers and the Japanese currency tosses me head a good one. I needed to withdraw an amount equal to USD 400.00, and poked the button, it spit out the money, a quick fold and step step, back to the hotel and off-ski we went! Hubby pulled out the money to buy the train/boat tickets and promptly freaked. He had lost $400! We back tracked, but to no avail, the money was gone, gone, gone. Needless to say he wasn't a happy camper and it really put a crimp on the first bit of our trip. As we sat on the train, I began to think......and decided that maybe I didn't add enough zeros to my withdrawal.... After getting off the boat we walked to the post office in Arashiyama he put in the card, and sure enough, I had only drawn out $40.00. That was the very last time I was trusted to withdraw money. What I should have withdrawn was 40,000.....<br />
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For a quick and dirty translation of Yen to USD, move the decimal point over one number to the left. So if the price is 1425Y it rounds off to about 142.50-ish.<br />
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While the Japanese work long hours and often begin and end their days with a long commute, you will notice as you get on buses and trains, or walking down streets you never see anyone eating or drinking. That is because it is considered rude to eat and drink while walking. If you are a gum chewer, that to is a no-no to walk and chew gum. Riding on a bus or train you may sip quietly and slowly, just make sure not to gulp it. Eating is forbidden however on all buses and inter-city trains and subways. Trains that travel to other cities it is allowed to eat and drink, and will often sell bentos on the platforms and the bullet trains sell snacks on the trains. While standing on the platform waiting for any train, or if you are lucky to snag one of the few seats at the platform, it is acceptable to eat and drink. Just be as neat and quiet as possible. It is polite to stand and drink and eat, just don't make a great deal of noise with the packaging and loud crunching.<br />
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If you are walking and are thirsty, step out of the flow of foot traffic and stand and drink. Conbinis sell all manner of sandwiches and other ready made food. Some of them offer a few places to sit, but most do not. What to do? Stand out of the way on the sidewalk outside the conbini, and eat your sandwich, yes folks will look at you oddly. One day we sat on the side of a building to eat our conbini lunches, and folks driving by did look at us weirdly.<br />
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There are very few trash bins to be found. Many vending machines at bus stops and train stations have a recycling bin built into the machine! And most train platforms have trash bins with pictures to show what sort of trash goes in which bin. But the easiest thing to do is to have a plastic grocery bag in your messenger bag/backpack/purse/coat pocket to hold any trash until you get home. One day while eating conbini boiled eggs and some packaged fruit at a bus stop I realized there was no place to throw away the trash. Luckily we had purchased several souvenirs, and used one of the bags to hold my trash.<br />
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If you are not proficient with chop sticks, get some and practice! We were in several restaurants that only had chopsticks, and spoons for soup. It can be tricky to get the hang of at first, but I can pick up a single sunflower seed now. If I can do it, I know anyone reading this will be able to learn. There are several rules on how to politely use chopsticks. Do NOT suck or lick them. If your food comes on a tray, keep the dishes on the tray and lay the chopsticks between you and the plate on the tray. Don't leave them on your plate, or next to your plate, as it is considered rude due to them being in your mouth. Do not spear food with them, or lick them. Also, do not stand them up in a bowl of rice, as that is a ritual used after someone has died.<br />
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If your rice is served in a small bowl, the rice must be eaten plain and alone. If rice is served in a large bowl with acres of room, then you may add anything you wish to it. At breakfast buffets at large hotels you might see stacks of eggs in those flat egg cartons. These eggs are raw, and are beaten with chopsticks into hot rice at the table.<br />
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It is nearly impossible to substitute one thing for another at a restaurant. While we see any meal as separate parts, they don't. A "set meal" is just that a set. Western eyes would see a bowl of rice, a plate of meat/fish/tofu, a small dish or two of vegetables, they see a single item, "beef" lunch set. However, I have to say that with my very polite "please don't feed me these foods" card and using as much Japanese as we possessed, they quite often fed me just the parts of that 'set' that I could eat. But we were polite, and smiled and I always started out our conversation with the staff by saying, "go-menn-sai", which is "I am very sorry". This is a super polite way of apologizing. That let them know that I was sorry for causing them trouble, and it worked. Sure I got told no quite a lot, but still the few times I was able to eat out, I was never sick.<br />
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Many of the larger train stations have a taxi stand advertising drivers with some English. They are a huge help, and most are chatty and are willing to go the extra mile. Yes, you will encounter the rare surly one, but thankfully they are mega rare. Hubby took a cab to have an acupuncture treatment. I had written the address and name of the shop in Japanese. It was in a very very old part of Kyoto where cars cant fit! So, out of the taxi Mr. Taxi Man jumped after parking on the main street and motioned to hubby to follow him, as Mr. Taxi Man didn't speak English. Off they went down one street and up another, and still it was no where to be found! Luckily I had included their phone number, Mr Taxi Man called them and then the shop was easily found. Remember that tipping isn't allowed, so he didn't do this for a big fat tip, and had hubby pay before they got out of the taxi.<br />
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Write down any address in Japanese if you are going by taxi, and just to be safe, write the phone number as well. Write down the name of the town or shrine/temple/etc in Japanese so if you do get turned around people can help you find your way. Most kanji isn't super hard as long as you take it slow and study the strokes so as to know which ones to do first. Long strokes first, followed by the smaller ones, with the very small ones last. <br />
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If you are staying in a hotel, grab one of their Japanese pamphlets so if you do get lost, or tired and decide to take a taxi back, they won't have any problems understanding where you wish to go. The Mr. Taxi Men will place your luggage in their trunk, and will be offended if you try to help. They also like to open to car doors for you, let them. <br />
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Many if not most of the etiquette rules stem from eons of the Japanese living in very close quarters with neighbors cheek and jowl close. Remember that there were no glass windows, but used paper instead, so sound traveled easily from room to room and house to house. That is why on the whole people are very quiet out in public, its rare to be overwhelmed by someone's perfume or aftershave, as that too is considered a form of "noise" and is rude. No using ones phone in trains or buses, except for text or reading, and all ring tones and alert sounds are muted. On mass transit, give your seat up to elders, mums with small children, or those who are ill. Stand up, smile, nod, and move out of the way. Large and bulky backpacks will prove to be an issue on buses and trains, so take them off and use the handle on the top while in the bus/train/subway.<br />
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On buses, you board from the back of the bus, and either pull a ticket from the machine or have purchased an all day pass. Exit thru the front where you'll either pay for the trip or show your pass. Train platforms will often have a set of footprints showing where to stand to wait for the train to be mostly out of the way of folks exiting the train. And remember!!! If you are riding a bullet train, your train WILL arrive about 5 minutes prior to when it's stated on the ticket. <br />
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Bathrooms as a rule are not equipped with hand dryers and never with paper towels. The Japanese all carry wee pretty/cute wash cloths towels with them. After finishing, just fold up and its ready for the next visit. That need makes a great first souvenir. At some of the temples one must pay 1 Yen for a packet of toilet paper, or just handy a pocket size kleenex pack.<br />
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Also handy to carry with you are flat slippers, especially if you have small feet, or large feet. The slippers only come in a size or two at temples and shrines and you must take off your shoes to enter.<br />
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Have fun and good luck!!<br />
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<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-88194039480931881692016-11-04T03:01:00.000-07:002016-11-04T03:01:17.120-07:00Wiping tears at 200 mph<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the date to leave Kyoto grew ever closer we began to reminisce about our first wobbly steps in this jewel of a city. Now 30 days later, we jump on and off buses and local trains like a native, know how to navigate a grocery market, and which vending machines have our favorite drinks. <br />
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While at the train station one day we stopped into a travel agency and purchased tickets to Yokohama and the transfer to Zushi. I was so excited, we were traveling by bullet train!!!! <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><u><b> Yippee!!</b></u></span></span><br />
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Not wanting to drag our luggage along with us, we had it shipped to our Zushi house. And if you are wondering, yes we did bring an extra suitcase and yes its now filled with gifts and souvenirs.<br />
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The hotel gives us a ride to the train station, and we excitedly head to the <span class="st">shinkansen platform. </span><br />
<span class="st"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbNigq_CtUnCjsN1IZTLtlmkY5txxr76TDLuIcu0bHZQSzNzHVZOLErr8UhlGx8n4G2ENG5ue8y4flBxqlajg4KsS9fAx29M2cQvycIf6xZr4mfmPkqkMGT8y_E8eOIELyAwYpHRQfsQ/s1600/IMG_5612.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbNigq_CtUnCjsN1IZTLtlmkY5txxr76TDLuIcu0bHZQSzNzHVZOLErr8UhlGx8n4G2ENG5ue8y4flBxqlajg4KsS9fAx29M2cQvycIf6xZr4mfmPkqkMGT8y_E8eOIELyAwYpHRQfsQ/s400/IMG_5612.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span><br />
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<span class="st">Due to our extreme excitement at getting to ride this marvel of machinery, we arrived very early. The strangest thing to us is the lack of seating at train stations. There is no place to sit at most train stations, while a few will have at the most seating for 12. Twelve! There are <i>NO! </i>seats on this platform. </span><br />
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<span class="st">While we are standing about numerous shinkansen trains pull into the platform making very little noise, pause and then nearly silently zoom off. I have no idea what this thing-a-ma-bob does, but to us it looks like a giant sized spark plug, doesn't it?</span><br />
<span class="st"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl7uVLrogV7iT7jQaWMtv0VyIbMVXwMLYSb0aDGPUve3sXP8hBNegeT36n6Z3Y9L_2Da9l7p5DxBkz12jMW5q7J8t43Oj6703IeigOoR1RZ7TYE06H73qBJueRCrJn1jWAcwVhN0SBWI/s1600/IMG_5613.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl7uVLrogV7iT7jQaWMtv0VyIbMVXwMLYSb0aDGPUve3sXP8hBNegeT36n6Z3Y9L_2Da9l7p5DxBkz12jMW5q7J8t43Oj6703IeigOoR1RZ7TYE06H73qBJueRCrJn1jWAcwVhN0SBWI/s400/IMG_5613.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="st">So, we stand around awhile, and then walk down the platform looking into all the snack shops and what they were offering. Greg spies a train station lady selling sushi on the platform from a portable cart and decides to buy a bento of some he has had before and loves. It's a type sold in the Nara area and is wrapped in a salted persimmon leaf. The fish and rice are tasty and finds the leaf adds an interesting addition to the flavor and texture of each bite.</span><br />
<span class="st"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB6Me9uj4D75WX6pdJg7DfvxuRMll_f6fDcZsSUXyJdIlh-gxyVG0aPJwGkA4RfPM_ZzyeoG0f4028-N9HNhjKjfuiMsqGjIQBbcP6jH_pJrX6awuYIZ1VvpyW2IxhKCa2WHqQ8OBoNM/s1600/1012kakinohazushi-thumb-417x287.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB6Me9uj4D75WX6pdJg7DfvxuRMll_f6fDcZsSUXyJdIlh-gxyVG0aPJwGkA4RfPM_ZzyeoG0f4028-N9HNhjKjfuiMsqGjIQBbcP6jH_pJrX6awuYIZ1VvpyW2IxhKCa2WHqQ8OBoNM/s320/1012kakinohazushi-thumb-417x287.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><br />
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<span class="st">By this time we were a goodly ways down the platform from our cars entrance marker, when a train pulls up. Now when the Japanese train recording says, "This train will make a brief stop in ____." They are NOT kidding! </span><br />
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<span class="st">A </span><span class="st"><span class="st">shinkansen </span> pulls up, people get off, and we begin to <i>RUN! </i>Car 7, car 6, car 5, car 4! Phew! Finally! Greg jumps on and the doors begin to close before I can get on!!! He jams his arm in the door and it bites him hard, but he won't leave me behind! Finally the train makes a chime and the door opens up and I quickly jump in.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Relieved that we had gotten on the train, and with hearts pumping, we walk down the aisle to find our seats. There is a lady sitting in my seat! Tickets are pulled out, yes, we have the exact same seats! We find a twosome empty seats and are just glad to be on the same train and not separated by hundreds of miles. </span><br />
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<span class="st"> Looks like the inside of an airplane doesn't it? Only the seats are 1000% more comfortable and there are acres of leg room.</span><br />
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<span class="st">A nice young train conductor walks by and the lady in our seat stops him and a conversation ensues. He asks to see our tickets, and...... we got on the wrong train. It's headed towards Tokyo, with a few stops, one of which is Yokohama, but we jumped into an earlier train. He stands with a wee train pad and types for a very long while, then writes something upon our tickets and has us follow him to a different car. </span><br />
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<span class="st">The shinkansen's leave every 10 minutes or so, and linger only around 5 minutes tops at the platforms. So, if you find yourself on the platform of a bullet train and one pulls up, make sure that it's your train! And if you miss yours, no worry there's another one right down the track.</span><br />
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<span class="st">We settle into our new seats and I'm excited by the idea we are <i>actually on a bullet train!</i> And then the motion sickness begins to take hold and it takes me quite a long while to get used to the motion of this train. The only thing I can equate it to is being on a boat, the train seems to glide sideways by the tiniest bit, confusing the eyes and the ears. This train goes so fast that its impossible to focus on anything near, because just as you see it, 'tis gone.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Greg remembers he is hungry and lowers his seat tray and sets his Nara sushi out and begins to eat. Suddenly the lady across the aisle jumps up and takes the sushi from his hand! She unwraps the sushi and says, "No! No! No!" And shows him that you don't eat the leaves!!! Before she left she made him pinkie promise not to ever eat the leaves again! </span><br />
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<span class="st">Pulling into Yokohama is only leg one of our trip. Now we need to find the Zushi line and the correct platform, and that is my job. I go up to a station fella, hand him our tickets and he tells us which platform to get onto. We go and stand around, remember the lack of seats?, and finally our train pulls up after a ginormous wait of about 6 minutes. All the trains we have been in have had the station names in both Japanese and English. Some of the trains have a recording of two different women saying the stop and any connections from that station. Zushi is the very last stop on this line and off we get and into a taxi and quick as a wink, we are at our new house for the next few days.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Zushi is a small town on the ocean with a beautiful beach. It is packed to the gills in the summer by tourists from Tokyo wanting to cool off and party at the beach. By November the town's population has shrunk back to the resident population and all is quiet. Its a good place to end our travels with a few day trips from Zushi.</span><br />
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<span class="st">Beautiful metal work on the sidewalk rail, with the beach in the distance.</span><br />
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<span class="st">The beach</span><br />
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<span class="st"> Shells collected at the beach, with a wee piece of pottery!</span><br />
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<span class="st"> A scenic canal</span><br />
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Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-78487111731877720632016-11-02T02:58:00.000-07:002016-11-02T02:58:02.648-07:00A giggle, confusion but mostly about foodWhile most of the translated English in Japan is perfect there are a few oddments, like on a restaurant menu, "hole wheat bread". But this sign was to funny to pass up. Trying to be respectful I waited until no one was around before I snapped the sign. This was at an Buddhist Temple that we haven't blogged about yet.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7xbenzKitf1sIRRadiKuM8W6OKOnCyvrRZBIcS_foXJiBx_7MhSjLtemJngRq-Pw1RKYntTwtsLiiimcNGrPUDVuguy8ZCw9elCxOehfi6uYe4WA62_8lG5MDyqYmUFmiZOA9I3mfIc/s1600/IMG_5518.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7xbenzKitf1sIRRadiKuM8W6OKOnCyvrRZBIcS_foXJiBx_7MhSjLtemJngRq-Pw1RKYntTwtsLiiimcNGrPUDVuguy8ZCw9elCxOehfi6uYe4WA62_8lG5MDyqYmUFmiZOA9I3mfIc/s320/IMG_5518.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Every single toilet that isn't in a home has this how to use sign. I'm not sure what the issue is, are their people who are worldly enough to travel, but don't understand how to use a modern toilet? The used toilet tissue though has a reason, some Asian countries toilet tissue is very sturdy and can't be flushed as it will muck up the works, so when they visit Japan, they don't know they are to flush used tissue here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXmbOBSTMhypAdWcmPdW8KPyJL_ZMHcxIy0pviYTG_giB4ggfGXjW1Hnq8M52SBuivtdl_TnIWRsB9gM2q447nwDzzj4Dmq2uiHnhLDBZTpoUyIKt-hIH0Lx371f_fYuDuANz9KsjW44/s1600/toilet.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXmbOBSTMhypAdWcmPdW8KPyJL_ZMHcxIy0pviYTG_giB4ggfGXjW1Hnq8M52SBuivtdl_TnIWRsB9gM2q447nwDzzj4Dmq2uiHnhLDBZTpoUyIKt-hIH0Lx371f_fYuDuANz9KsjW44/s320/toilet.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Without a doubt, this is the best fake food I've seen. I have a real thing for plastic fake food. Doesn't that ice cream and whipped cream look real? Amazing!<br />
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Oh, and I've had to buy a small wash cloth to carry around and about due to very few of the restrooms having either paper towels or hand driers. Of course I just <i>had</i> to get a cute one from Hikone-jo! Got very tired of drying my hands on the leg of my pants....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0h0foQRWH_Vbe8sqRpik7S6WB5pK_DJJ5Wvm5slEk5jOoTMZPhkX8E_UAejzSKArfSa8xO4M5k91OmG418T0Kp2WUhiZIO1-tnRczfdcvKYCiimga1b04xwIsXHwu5wBC0BVkDEmmfyk/s1600/wash.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0h0foQRWH_Vbe8sqRpik7S6WB5pK_DJJ5Wvm5slEk5jOoTMZPhkX8E_UAejzSKArfSa8xO4M5k91OmG418T0Kp2WUhiZIO1-tnRczfdcvKYCiimga1b04xwIsXHwu5wBC0BVkDEmmfyk/s320/wash.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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The very first meal we ate out together was a grilled meat restaurant right down the street from us. We both tried Wagu beef, and it is everything folks talk about. Tender as a summer day, flavorful just fantastic. When sliced super thin, it basically melts in your mouth.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz400jc3Wu0NiQNXOIROoeAi31S2Wh7yTDTmLRofrRkwooHaibju-Y-hW1RB1gTm5dMAHuHdmfMnwMprgc1E4y50Ix3VTMuIVSrnCCJrNPl-JA8LFMWKMFTsCfHgBWOXA7bi4MLnYRu_Q/s1600/IMG_4873.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz400jc3Wu0NiQNXOIROoeAi31S2Wh7yTDTmLRofrRkwooHaibju-Y-hW1RB1gTm5dMAHuHdmfMnwMprgc1E4y50Ix3VTMuIVSrnCCJrNPl-JA8LFMWKMFTsCfHgBWOXA7bi4MLnYRu_Q/s320/IMG_4873.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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While in Arashiyama I had a fantastic meal, as we were walking down the street a menu board announced "gluten free set"! I was in googolplex heaven, the hellz with that flimsy 7th heaven! Besides the duck, this was the best meal I've had in all of Japan. Greg saw a sandwich on their menu that he just had to try, Grilled cheese and egg salad. He loved it! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaO72cjDeZWA1kY3ZQu3D7ghdawApeeIhOeOnjPFHIP0VyyzBtOhZJk9SDpofFAlTYAHwSRC-aRIlnNZFm4Oxp_XxBLrOfkuNY89KhONnBkxj96K7nZITWkDw4ZbG_bHMG5Yc7c4Likg/s1600/IMG_5237.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaO72cjDeZWA1kY3ZQu3D7ghdawApeeIhOeOnjPFHIP0VyyzBtOhZJk9SDpofFAlTYAHwSRC-aRIlnNZFm4Oxp_XxBLrOfkuNY89KhONnBkxj96K7nZITWkDw4ZbG_bHMG5Yc7c4Likg/s320/IMG_5237.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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While in Nara we ate at a traditional Japanese restaurant. Looky at the amazing meal Greg got! He loved every bite too! The clear bowl is a dessert made of cubes of sweetened agar agar, pineapple a sugared bean and a sweet light "broth". At first Greg was hesitant about trying it, but he loved the desert "soup".<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvS2aa_aX2kLKqsNVYCUnIRdt3Qz_J_RIpJ-vseJxr8j9LroRV3wc6ih3N3L-ftQwl7XIRJmnx8Rb53Ev1ck702ToGuHBa_ZIkPXQwCq3ImuE1jLAgMhpCRZ6Z9xMHMswQsyAw0tzmSE/s1600/IMG_5155.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvS2aa_aX2kLKqsNVYCUnIRdt3Qz_J_RIpJ-vseJxr8j9LroRV3wc6ih3N3L-ftQwl7XIRJmnx8Rb53Ev1ck702ToGuHBa_ZIkPXQwCq3ImuE1jLAgMhpCRZ6Z9xMHMswQsyAw0tzmSE/s320/IMG_5155.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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KFC is quite a big deal here, so is McDonald's but we haven't gotten there yet. The translated biscuit is a weird cross between a biscuit and a donut, and is fried and served with honey-maple syrup. Greg gave it a 5.4 out of 10. However, he loved the chicken sandwich! The usual fried chicken tastes the same, just less greasy. They sell a fried chicken tender that has a sweet bbq that he enjoyed.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFSg92MPStTOBRQBWMGk_GAhR8Brhd3l4McvaByUQ0JcC9-AvwsnQCZ2GoLXpYtWHzziknkehP8gwvpzq_LiAGDM9gOvghYWJbaIkT6hEupSOtCoBVH8D92Xnf4wGg2K18oSf-WaUOAk/s1600/IMG_5248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFSg92MPStTOBRQBWMGk_GAhR8Brhd3l4McvaByUQ0JcC9-AvwsnQCZ2GoLXpYtWHzziknkehP8gwvpzq_LiAGDM9gOvghYWJbaIkT6hEupSOtCoBVH8D92Xnf4wGg2K18oSf-WaUOAk/s320/IMG_5248.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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While out and about one day, Greg was feeling a mite peckish and I saw this sandwich that I'd heard about and was eager to find out how it actually tasted. Poor Greg has been my pinch hitter in the taste buds department and has eaten quite a lot of things he didn't want so I could find out what they tasted like. He loved this sandwich. Strange as it sounds its mega fluffy white bread, crusts removed filled with sweetened whipped cream [no vanilla only sugar] and slices of fruit. That sandwich disappeared quick as a wink!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiontQ5s5C_G5XqRDfwcOqgNO5JCwoQ7GcT3trI3EUyI1g2B3a31Z42ep0Wi_svnAvi9j0qeL1NBkz_yyt7pOZwUx_2dIJcc6ynTPAqyV-DFAuLDR9EjUPoF2oa-gwDXm0C7o1Ag6xolSU/s1600/IMG_5160+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiontQ5s5C_G5XqRDfwcOqgNO5JCwoQ7GcT3trI3EUyI1g2B3a31Z42ep0Wi_svnAvi9j0qeL1NBkz_yyt7pOZwUx_2dIJcc6ynTPAqyV-DFAuLDR9EjUPoF2oa-gwDXm0C7o1Ag6xolSU/s320/IMG_5160+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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This has to be the smallest sink in the entire world! My hand is about 6.5 inches long.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPr6X6bf_j3wJC8_EIThJTmhBMRsMYRrAvX_9yt13B68OErEDVvIxwPhCtcjzbWpVEs-8XI3LVMxGfBT1jVBBiSVuhJGSTuHrc13jvrA_NEV8ENvlPbv__M2rOcHfg5zfDOpVUft1JPk/s1600/IMG_5238.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPr6X6bf_j3wJC8_EIThJTmhBMRsMYRrAvX_9yt13B68OErEDVvIxwPhCtcjzbWpVEs-8XI3LVMxGfBT1jVBBiSVuhJGSTuHrc13jvrA_NEV8ENvlPbv__M2rOcHfg5zfDOpVUft1JPk/s320/IMG_5238.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Aren't the carrots and peppers tiny? We used my iphone for comparison. I've yet to see any that are larger, but they pack in a ton of flavor. The peppers are thin walled and are closer to a banana pepper in texture than the peppers sold in the US.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCKVqG7yRogT4_Ge1iFNYcv5hBJ6zCYCAEQoyT9z2fvC76vkgsZq35y8gJsxNC3F3vHtBFBdLBUwyd8aJxt-Oaahp8mV1JJtOLNzSSbexShNyDbzh8qG0YrrBst6kaG9K5Khkrwb4Boo/s1600/IMG_0449.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCKVqG7yRogT4_Ge1iFNYcv5hBJ6zCYCAEQoyT9z2fvC76vkgsZq35y8gJsxNC3F3vHtBFBdLBUwyd8aJxt-Oaahp8mV1JJtOLNzSSbexShNyDbzh8qG0YrrBst6kaG9K5Khkrwb4Boo/s320/IMG_0449.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Candy and rice crackers are popular souvenirs. And am amazed at the wrapping on the rice crackers, they are nearly to adorable to unwrap! <br />
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<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-42467924421455739832016-10-31T21:17:00.002-07:002016-10-31T21:17:35.691-07:00Hikone-joHikone is a small town on the east side of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. Kyoto is the blue marker at the bottom of the lake, and the giant area around the southernmost blue marker is Osaka. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX4DMPb61gukwm3jjSSUwdqX-pI9fnDz7sJ9yTnoktSHl2P4ZaDxCTJ7k49u2yhLN2dLj3rMlF4App8FQzD7PgoaF1KIzWiCoY1m8H3d-Lt2untmkZyTEpf5TfYWTO2v5rXdWq5IzMyU/s1600/lake+biwa.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX4DMPb61gukwm3jjSSUwdqX-pI9fnDz7sJ9yTnoktSHl2P4ZaDxCTJ7k49u2yhLN2dLj3rMlF4App8FQzD7PgoaF1KIzWiCoY1m8H3d-Lt2untmkZyTEpf5TfYWTO2v5rXdWq5IzMyU/s320/lake+biwa.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Li Naomasa, was a fearsome general and fought hard for Tokagawa and after defeating Ishida Mitsunari was gifted his castle for a job well done.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMtwv9rpp-sx2i2KsjKvsqGHDDpKVobJJzZESjXArY1Jzfgd987RKBNhQZcv3ksIuFSph7ZWfSVqjX-gRPnSxklBtSvkytdQmqZFR3s1JhuXW4dsguBwvVT1ulnF1IxQkcOr3EksKRXs/s1600/IMG_5413.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMtwv9rpp-sx2i2KsjKvsqGHDDpKVobJJzZESjXArY1Jzfgd987RKBNhQZcv3ksIuFSph7ZWfSVqjX-gRPnSxklBtSvkytdQmqZFR3s1JhuXW4dsguBwvVT1ulnF1IxQkcOr3EksKRXs/s320/IMG_5413.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
However, he hated living in his enemies castle and asked to build a new one on the site. Tokagawa agreed and construction began on what is now Hikone-jo [Hikone Castle]. The earlier castle was dismantled and the parts of it were used to build a new castle. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6yvpbJxn_ZCmRkxWxFjQvWE8R97Uc8usInmEWZPaEjf70J6Us4OX2toctyTPqGn13imxShvBHJoY44UoZ82Jyk_PYWhVsVMxmGA35DnW_EsmaVzp_IRO3UFyfm_VuSDiAthb2vIwZNM/s1600/DSC_7195.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6yvpbJxn_ZCmRkxWxFjQvWE8R97Uc8usInmEWZPaEjf70J6Us4OX2toctyTPqGn13imxShvBHJoY44UoZ82Jyk_PYWhVsVMxmGA35DnW_EsmaVzp_IRO3UFyfm_VuSDiAthb2vIwZNM/s320/DSC_7195.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Unfortunately he died before the building was completed and it was passed down to his two sons.<br />
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This walkway was constructed in such a way as to be easily knocked down making the castle nearly impervious to attack.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8_9QLHqF2gFvyNKLS9puFoPNEq4ChcnDjb9s7HY3Y4KeagUI-tR2oTmTKEEpjFVnaacwYvuTGLwgj0XdHUxOPg4_4gbnqqWfAqjItjjt-eLG9tGAmTMIrmHQ2yVQqcilUB0Nrbc8-bc/s1600/DSC_7149.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8_9QLHqF2gFvyNKLS9puFoPNEq4ChcnDjb9s7HY3Y4KeagUI-tR2oTmTKEEpjFVnaacwYvuTGLwgj0XdHUxOPg4_4gbnqqWfAqjItjjt-eLG9tGAmTMIrmHQ2yVQqcilUB0Nrbc8-bc/s320/DSC_7149.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The view while on the bridge.<br />
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This is what the majority of the castle looks like from inside.<br />
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This is <i>not </i>a good sightseeing experience if you have bad knees as there are 130 some steps just to get to the castle from the ticket gate. These steps are the long low steps rimmed in stone and filled in with cement. <br />
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Now these steps are doable, as you can just motor up them at your own speed. However, once within the castle there are two short staircases that lull you into complacency, don't fall for it! After those two wee staircases of about 6 steps each and a bit of a walk around, you'll find yourself facing 3 <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>stair cases of doom</i></span>! These are stairs that in a previous life were ladders and were just faced with stair material. No, I joke about that, but going up it is remarkably like climbing a ladder due to its extreme steepness of grade, with hand rails. It's the coming down bit that nearly unnerved me. With no embarrassment I'll happily admit to being afraid of heights and ladders are an issue for me. Coming down these ladder steps was a terrifying ordeal for me, where a time or two my terror was barely contained. The steps on these ladder steps are <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>SLICK </i><span style="color: black;">and the handrails held no comfort for me. By the time we regained the ground floor I was in a bit of a quiver and it took me a while to regain my equilibrium.</span></span><br />
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From the walls of the castle its possible to see for miles, both across a great expanse of Lake Biwa and the the surrounding area. While there are trees growing on the castle walls, during the time this was an active castle it was stripped bare of vegetation.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVjwe6XOL73mUeNsCYoowcnFlUtmCVVPlPHhyphenhyphenakjljDOYg3byaQQTGOMW1VOtdemZVblY3Ot6DiEikTbJj8roE_cqkEmLVt1MzsLwR7Yj_5ip-0El425z-ySwsX9_A0Pg9-5NjluQ0qo/s1600/DSC_7189.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVjwe6XOL73mUeNsCYoowcnFlUtmCVVPlPHhyphenhyphenakjljDOYg3byaQQTGOMW1VOtdemZVblY3Ot6DiEikTbJj8roE_cqkEmLVt1MzsLwR7Yj_5ip-0El425z-ySwsX9_A0Pg9-5NjluQ0qo/s320/DSC_7189.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The castle and the town have a mascot that is freaking adorable, and everything you could think of has this image either stamped on, or made into stuffed animals. Grandson scored a stuffed mascot plushie, and it's a darned good thing I adore him or he wouldn't be getting it!<br />
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They had a mascot show while we were there and it was cute to watch, isn't he totally adorbs?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLzC5MWqMxUdWT9HrhuI7CoAkKRbDSibJTOfRlYvtfO1_VynRA2E7SToJMSUVSaU-KKNM5EGc-o0ldj4W4Ty92Y_cVMZo2MIaZdYe5A20akYX4s9W29QHkviyJHKyr3f2ql27b8mg4js/s1600/DSC_7176.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLzC5MWqMxUdWT9HrhuI7CoAkKRbDSibJTOfRlYvtfO1_VynRA2E7SToJMSUVSaU-KKNM5EGc-o0ldj4W4Ty92Y_cVMZo2MIaZdYe5A20akYX4s9W29QHkviyJHKyr3f2ql27b8mg4js/s320/DSC_7176.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
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So, the Li family had a bell that would alert the surrounding area to invaders, in the 1800's the bell was moved so that it could be heard all over the western side of town. Today the bell is rung 5 times a day and we hung around to see/hear it rung at 13:00. Even though we were crazy close to the bell, it wasn't all that loud, but had an extremely long reverberation. They ring the bell 3 times each time it's rung. However, unlike western bell ringing, here it is rung at about 30 second intervals, about the same time as the last reverberation has ended is when the bell is rung again. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TDi72ZvUu-I" width="560"></iframe>Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-43003586966875341112016-10-28T06:26:00.001-07:002016-10-28T06:34:07.549-07:00Fushimi Inari Shrine There are 10,000 torii gates in Fushimi! 'Tis an astounding amount of anything, much less torii gates. They are donated by merchants hoping to get some divine help in making their business thrive, and are removed every 10 years.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS2-ua4GE0X74W18SEP0KpWkneKzgGpdrGEdRJhGaxuN0jUkhCipf9Bj1NOTR0VRiis4A5pwf_9kzK2Hv5rZQ-m9CHXzknkOmVML6Nnnox1kWjRITpQ0BpCZyjrHsKpSQ-22QLxJw_04/s1600/names+on+torii.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS2-ua4GE0X74W18SEP0KpWkneKzgGpdrGEdRJhGaxuN0jUkhCipf9Bj1NOTR0VRiis4A5pwf_9kzK2Hv5rZQ-m9CHXzknkOmVML6Nnnox1kWjRITpQ0BpCZyjrHsKpSQ-22QLxJw_04/s320/names+on+torii.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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The earliest structures were built in 711 before the move of the Imperial family to what would become Kyoto!<br />
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The main gate into the Shrine.<br />
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Inari is one of the best known <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami" target="_blank">kami</a> </i>of the Shinto religion and she/he is the goddess/god of rice and prosperity. Inari doesn't have a set image nor gender, but is usually shown as an old man sitting on a pile of rice with two foxes or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsune" target="_blank"><i>kitsune</i></a> in Japanese, or that of a beautiful fox-woman. Many people confuse Inari with kitsune, but kitsune is a messenger for Inari, not a kami.<br />
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Fushimi Inari is filled with different kitsune statues and besides the torii, is the image that most people know.<br />
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Greg was kind enough to take me to Fushimi Inari not once, but twice, I love it that much. There is something there that gives me the chilly willies that dance up and down my spine, and I feel as though this is my souls home.<br />
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Walking under the torii gives one an interesting feeling, where with the turning of the path new horizons open up, and the past is closed, finished.<br />
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The torii stretch for a total of 4 miles, and as you climb to other side shrines and areas, you can see the torii from many different angles.<br />
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For some unknown reason, its now become wildly popular to rent kimonos and visit shrines and temples, even if the lady dressing up isn't Japanese. Today we saw a sweet faced young woman wearing a kimono and a Muslim headscarf! But no matter the why or reason it became popular, it just seems fitting to see young ladies dressed in the style of the past in old shrines and temples. Off to the right of the photo are school kids in their uniforms.<br />
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If you'd like to see bamboo without fighting the hoards of folks at Arashiyama, and in a quiet peaceful setting, that is free to boot, come to Fushimi and the trail breaks to the right and left. To the left is a shrine area that looks like this,<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa0OKBdNK3AprDyV1cwWb430HQYQgUxX6G9TqfFAsvR3GwRbTl9zutCm6AsJc40x3VlEdfasFGE12zVkExcA_XQCw_-jxmgrFtpHxSRpIknvSZVkAcex3ufr0xUUevhrQPtiUsXmXMJY/s1600/DSC_6150.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa0OKBdNK3AprDyV1cwWb430HQYQgUxX6G9TqfFAsvR3GwRbTl9zutCm6AsJc40x3VlEdfasFGE12zVkExcA_XQCw_-jxmgrFtpHxSRpIknvSZVkAcex3ufr0xUUevhrQPtiUsXmXMJY/s400/DSC_6150.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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to the right is a sign pointing up, take that and walk past the first shrine and you will find the bamboo. You can hear the wind play and sing in the tree tops, listen to birds adding their joyful trills, and only a stray voice floats up from the main path.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkL-n7M1CC1CxAZPva4epyUG0G3t-Cbzf9jihbdI0EOL9bc8J8jdvzUycbZMEuSF0HRghyphenhyphenj5mgURNdkhs_5Zkp5CAoBJ4CWLExPUu12EBB7BlPib3vsoiM-z0Bzu796An27xxchUzLbM/s1600/bamboo+inari.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkL-n7M1CC1CxAZPva4epyUG0G3t-Cbzf9jihbdI0EOL9bc8J8jdvzUycbZMEuSF0HRghyphenhyphenj5mgURNdkhs_5Zkp5CAoBJ4CWLExPUu12EBB7BlPib3vsoiM-z0Bzu796An27xxchUzLbM/s400/bamboo+inari.JPG" width="400" /></a>Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-80962067465518027362016-10-27T02:10:00.000-07:002016-10-27T02:10:26.257-07:00A Shrine a lunch and a TempleHirano-jinja Shrine is a very small shrine established in 794 by Emperor Kammu when the capital moved to Kyoto. The shine has enjoyed Imperial visits and patronage through the eons. The shrine is best known for its cherry blossoms of which there are 40 different varieties. Each year since 985 the city of Kyoto has walked under its alley of cherry blossom and marveled at the beauty.<br />
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In October there are zero cherry blossoms, sigh. The description of the shrine sounded interesting and the bus we were taking to a temple was making a stop there, so we de-bused and took a look! [yes i know that de-bused isn't a word, but it should be! if you can de-plane, and de-camp, why can't you de-bus?]<br />
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A pleasant walk lined with trees covered in leaves rusty with the beginnings of fall. The grass grows long under the trees off the path and the city street noise seemed to funnel into the shrine. The path gradually took a bend to where there was a tori, and the most amazing thing occurred when we stepped through the first tori. <br />
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The sounds of the street were gone! Replaced by bird songs and breezes playing with the leaves. Hirano-jinja is a small shrine, but houses so much peacefulness that it floods every pore and cell. A few people came by to do a quick prayer before continuing with their day. The grounds not only hold an amazing amount of cherry trees, but one of the oldest camphor trees in Kyoto, around 400 years.<br />
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We have no idea the significance of this tree, damn us for not being able to read, or speak Japanese! But this cherry tree is a well cared for tree.<br />
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Jumping onto bus 205 we continued north to Kinkakuji Temple better known as The Golden Pavilion, one of the most famous landmarks in Kyoto, if not in all of Japan. As we walked up the path into the shrine we saw bus after bus after bus of tourists and school kids. We were having a leisurely stroll up the long path when we saw ahead of us people <i>running</i> to the entrance gate. <br />
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The crowds were unruly, noisy and out and out rude, pushing and shoving and yelling back and forth to each other about who knows what, as nearly every language on earth was available to our ears. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytTC3PvFJT9VH36K9G5wqPilyhS55b2OAnLPi0ehFMC5XGSjv8eLPnr3aBE9ut7sXIvSOJQz7h3G_jSGar6LlyvO_MtR9RJncrJsy2w3tcYixgczk6Uu_KUtPcUa_qqNJY8zCbU-zKm0/s1600/crowds+at+gold.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytTC3PvFJT9VH36K9G5wqPilyhS55b2OAnLPi0ehFMC5XGSjv8eLPnr3aBE9ut7sXIvSOJQz7h3G_jSGar6LlyvO_MtR9RJncrJsy2w3tcYixgczk6Uu_KUtPcUa_qqNJY8zCbU-zKm0/s400/crowds+at+gold.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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When we finally got close enough, by dent of being pushy, we were remarkably underwhelmed. Yes, the building on the upper half is covered in gold leaf, and yes the reflecting pond did it's job well by reflecting the gold shine into the water, but the whole experience left us with a giant, meh. Could it have been the crowds that left us being less than impressed? Or maybe it was the fact that it was just another temple in a long line of temples? There has been only two temples that we felt a presence at, and it wasn't this one.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9T0BtSxYluHBkL_052O82aOIEdKLUNTMJcppSNM6ilkdvgsTOI9kuTPJQAwdruRp0XFez9JCxvuo3MbAbDyWGlHuc9J4YAXBSaE3qIXfNkmNBM1LRdzA_1s9FbwdvF-wyGqD3J2vLgA/s1600/side+of+gold+and+island.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9T0BtSxYluHBkL_052O82aOIEdKLUNTMJcppSNM6ilkdvgsTOI9kuTPJQAwdruRp0XFez9JCxvuo3MbAbDyWGlHuc9J4YAXBSaE3qIXfNkmNBM1LRdzA_1s9FbwdvF-wyGqD3J2vLgA/s400/side+of+gold+and+island.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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If you do ever go to Kyoto, and want to experience Kinkakuji for yourself, be there at 9 am when the gates open, the tour buses don't show up until 10 am. <br />
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Just an arty pic of a water grotto...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEVqFqWTb1T928uzbywPrYkF-5JJun2TdRlr1cMZMIqwtYdS0OsIQSoFADB8Wt3tjah-or-ycl3rtBcCtK9erfyEK27MDhvhhe2vxwhoNsLahqJeiSFKUwLzr25S3V0RxKg264S_pETg/s1600/grotto.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEVqFqWTb1T928uzbywPrYkF-5JJun2TdRlr1cMZMIqwtYdS0OsIQSoFADB8Wt3tjah-or-ycl3rtBcCtK9erfyEK27MDhvhhe2vxwhoNsLahqJeiSFKUwLzr25S3V0RxKg264S_pETg/s320/grotto.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Wandering around for several hours left us starving. Fresh air and elbowing your way through crowds will do that. Leaving us to wander around the main street looking at all the displays of "plastic food" that are so helpful to tourists who don't read Japanese. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVAr-N0wRbvOCYuzbKPumF_66Stjgxd7wkW_oXWn6FjgVxmBaEeGsQ9CnM9hg-g7KM0dPbqwuUT-bRjxhcnewqmMsvmCjIJ_nmg8APs8kOTNtBQrrT0tUSfEJ0juUHFGkiiJ7RD-bDho/s1600/japanese-food-displays-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVAr-N0wRbvOCYuzbKPumF_66Stjgxd7wkW_oXWn6FjgVxmBaEeGsQ9CnM9hg-g7KM0dPbqwuUT-bRjxhcnewqmMsvmCjIJ_nmg8APs8kOTNtBQrrT0tUSfEJ0juUHFGkiiJ7RD-bDho/s400/japanese-food-displays-1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Noodles, no....shrimp! oh hellz no. For those of you who are reading this and don't know, I'm a celiac who carries around epi-pens due to a severe shellfish allergy. Eating out has been extremely difficult, most restaurants when I give them my allergy info sheet will read it, re-read it, and then give the "no" hand sign. They are sorry they can't accommodate my food needs, and are very kind about it, but have spent a great deal of time being hungry while out and about and cooking nearly every dinner at the apartment.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KpqksAa2q9N1CpQlYI3H6SRZxbLBMX4ykdKFaQG6nMqPNzR9kLzapEWeLABlV4T_zdYkENFjz-Z8fABQ_6_Qqh7lSnJSvJRhYTqwc0cme6h1KNvSTal7tToieTYnMpirer4Xgvs9buo/s1600/no%2521.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KpqksAa2q9N1CpQlYI3H6SRZxbLBMX4ykdKFaQG6nMqPNzR9kLzapEWeLABlV4T_zdYkENFjz-Z8fABQ_6_Qqh7lSnJSvJRhYTqwc0cme6h1KNvSTal7tToieTYnMpirer4Xgvs9buo/s320/no%2521.jpeg" width="212" /></a><br />
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We walked further and further down the street and I was about to call it quits and go and get shio eggs and some fruit and chips when we saw a doorway with stairs leading up, up, up. Deciding to take a chance we climbed those very steep stairs, a common architectural feature of Japan, hoping for a safe delicious meal. Turns out the man who owns the bar was raised in Oregon for a while as a child, spoke passable English and was so eager to feed me he served me something off the dinner menu, and then refused to allow us to pay for it!! He charged us only for Greg's burger, both times we stopped there he charged us less than the prices on the menu. The bar is decorated with an old west theme, and a tv over the bar plays American adventure movies with the sound off. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R1Pgy_WzF7uCk7SnyCwQ6AUGKID6ZJYQ7ZPwNHSU-4VWN57A1Z00ESAibM6NyHHklQBtZQgwJK1UF93wZpHQTFY69wP8-kKdLD5My3bxu10XEJpIlVkQt7gYOv7AChdJ0ptazXd_ja8/s1600/lunch.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R1Pgy_WzF7uCk7SnyCwQ6AUGKID6ZJYQ7ZPwNHSU-4VWN57A1Z00ESAibM6NyHHklQBtZQgwJK1UF93wZpHQTFY69wP8-kKdLD5My3bxu10XEJpIlVkQt7gYOv7AChdJ0ptazXd_ja8/s320/lunch.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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He served Greg a mountain of a hamburger that he said was one of the best burgers he had ever eaten, it came with potato salad, fries and salad. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQKZ43-VzeRm-aK2cs7dfdl-Wrs5tC6ZLRVTod9OnB00FySfoEab3idz0DlhiWRbZJ4ReHPnDPiv_gVmHqPLno755KSLYKrDSeEbS9k8BArvHFMo0t9O7KgSGbAGhyphenhyphenb5StFby3TqJxhM/s1600/burger.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQKZ43-VzeRm-aK2cs7dfdl-Wrs5tC6ZLRVTod9OnB00FySfoEab3idz0DlhiWRbZJ4ReHPnDPiv_gVmHqPLno755KSLYKrDSeEbS9k8BArvHFMo0t9O7KgSGbAGhyphenhyphenb5StFby3TqJxhM/s400/burger.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
I was served duck medallions that had been grilled and had a sauce made of balsamic vinegar. It was smokey and flavorful, one of the best duck dishes I've ever eaten. I was so hungry and it smelled so divine that I ate a piece or two before I remembered to snap a photo, sorry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofxI4e-yfmx11HinNb3KlOUIcts-KnvVA2o35sDVwwx2ZV-p6FqbzJMmyHul83lZgOuwtM9fqE7K7VCehWJHkRKmxK42Gxf1p7MEIlIu3hfEkG0ypWtV9nxiMQGQrCMNzebgwdeRxin4/s1600/duck%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofxI4e-yfmx11HinNb3KlOUIcts-KnvVA2o35sDVwwx2ZV-p6FqbzJMmyHul83lZgOuwtM9fqE7K7VCehWJHkRKmxK42Gxf1p7MEIlIu3hfEkG0ypWtV9nxiMQGQrCMNzebgwdeRxin4/s400/duck%2521.JPG" width="300" /></a>Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-6458085554482779442016-10-24T20:23:00.000-07:002016-10-24T20:23:08.264-07:00Forest, shrine, and a temple Shimogamo Shrine is one of the 17 Historic monuments of Ancient Kyoto and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This has been the site of a Shinto Shrine for over 2,000 years, and is one of the oldest in all of Japan. <br />
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While many Temples and Shrines have lost their connection with the neighborhood throughout the centuries and are no longer a part of daily life, that is not the case with Shimogamo. While we were there we saw two wedding parties with the lovely brides wearing traditional wedding outfits and an infant blessing. Along with several people praying in the inner shrine areas.<br />
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A Shinto bridal couple. This image is a google borrow, we didn't want to intrude upon their day by snapping their photo.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw24-4QIN7NZgFdSCcJgymieuzJFXnRN-OANr8vRoDmkcv4ecp7b3i_Nwi0NdyF5G3o6NYSjkwC-EE_CpsWnFpz41LcLhvnZ3vMkT7YSNrt-4KNvgq7bJQlwVhsju-YoZi5SsnmaRji0E/s1600/577563_shinto-wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw24-4QIN7NZgFdSCcJgymieuzJFXnRN-OANr8vRoDmkcv4ecp7b3i_Nwi0NdyF5G3o6NYSjkwC-EE_CpsWnFpz41LcLhvnZ3vMkT7YSNrt-4KNvgq7bJQlwVhsju-YoZi5SsnmaRji0E/s320/577563_shinto-wedding.jpg" width="210" /></a><br />
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One thing that sets this shrine apart is that Tadasu no Mori is a sacred grove which is part of the shrine grounds. Forest of Correction or Tadasu no Mori is a 12.4 hectare preserved primeval forest that is not pruned nor planted but left to grow wild. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GFtkxwx-_ey9qrrYxNoaJ2DaoUdKq8lvWAW-B_zZH7ZJzBcmUpfQBQPkcQ3h7pTuhX2ggOPBfQb0tFloKph3Dyemm-IcLqpoLt1JiyToxZrsbgmGCImLUh1_UIfjYbt7TKQZZ7t-JoQ/s1600/creek.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GFtkxwx-_ey9qrrYxNoaJ2DaoUdKq8lvWAW-B_zZH7ZJzBcmUpfQBQPkcQ3h7pTuhX2ggOPBfQb0tFloKph3Dyemm-IcLqpoLt1JiyToxZrsbgmGCImLUh1_UIfjYbt7TKQZZ7t-JoQ/s320/creek.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
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However, they do work to keep the large trees alive by wrapping the trunks to keep them from rotting, and many of the largest trees have branches or entire trunks that are supported. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRbAI0awYIL_dHJyUyji7nNadeabcHv6hxsGN3oH-qjOz2FtlOOJoGWzewL7KGcZ48KVmp54wEesSJZZTD6bvb1tIg04enlusfsQj5DYxnHOs7JcYfSyuwG0BHbaHkJpJlbOiYmwY_iw/s1600/supprorted+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRbAI0awYIL_dHJyUyji7nNadeabcHv6hxsGN3oH-qjOz2FtlOOJoGWzewL7KGcZ48KVmp54wEesSJZZTD6bvb1tIg04enlusfsQj5DYxnHOs7JcYfSyuwG0BHbaHkJpJlbOiYmwY_iw/s320/supprorted+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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When nature finally wins the battle of death these monster trees are allowed to lay and rot and give back to the land. The caretakers from the shrine will cut the trees into large sections and will often encourage their rotting by putting earth on them.<br />
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The shrine grounds are alive with water, in the form of creeks and a spring, water tumbling and murmuring ebbing and flowing, it is one of the most peaceful places we have visited. Birds sing in the trees, the trees add to the forest song with their leaves ruffling in the breeze. Modern life with its concerns and worries retreats in this ancient place and peace steals into the soul, refreshing and revitalizing.<br />
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While standing creek-side watching leaves swirl and race away from us, I looked down and shrieked and jumped AWAY from the creek! Greg thought I had gone mad, until he saw this monster clinging onto the bottom... Yep, tis a poisonous centipede.<br />
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Upon entering all Shrines and Temples you are supposed to pour water over you hands, and rinse out your mouth. It is a purification ritual, one that I often performed. It somehow is relaxing and the water is always cold and tastes of minerals.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYhY40HrKRLvryskQgf3E6gMCwpsQT1XE9fLXFRbrXbBwr7FKmGo2QlZ4nl7gFOfO-_VPwM_Oc7ifcn9HsMQqwbmquOBcugd42JaKsSNGNVtXaUcL-V60JlX9gFYoAUMJfYRPRJkAiJ8/s1600/pure.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYhY40HrKRLvryskQgf3E6gMCwpsQT1XE9fLXFRbrXbBwr7FKmGo2QlZ4nl7gFOfO-_VPwM_Oc7ifcn9HsMQqwbmquOBcugd42JaKsSNGNVtXaUcL-V60JlX9gFYoAUMJfYRPRJkAiJ8/s320/pure.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />We don't know the why of this tree, except possibly its incredible age, but this tree is obviously revered. There are living trees in Japan that have been aged between 1,500 and 3,000 years. This tree is certainly an age giant. Interesting side note, the railing surrounding this tree is made of concrete! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-5k3zzx-76XqvDfEww1iFFMJrsaEIeJooNmLJMv8p6bin1sZAuzoRV6Mhnurd0LRlsC_XUUsrxXzRTvH75GkFYJmIgCNzQErwHKLzIEfq2VjiWxpgxlK0nMqrtOgh8uK3u3dPtq26fQ/s1600/tree.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-5k3zzx-76XqvDfEww1iFFMJrsaEIeJooNmLJMv8p6bin1sZAuzoRV6Mhnurd0LRlsC_XUUsrxXzRTvH75GkFYJmIgCNzQErwHKLzIEfq2VjiWxpgxlK0nMqrtOgh8uK3u3dPtq26fQ/s400/tree.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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There is a long lovely peaceful walk between the city and the shrine.<br />
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These are all taken within the Shrine.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WenNvPniTCT2Xt7rUDrfT8ygPfa6uzkqcJyYjDJVnmpauedTDVFJtTXdXcqnsu4Z7ksCScJ61iNtlNbpdjVNskH1A7EzJFUFENnD65KvEAM3dyWyTDlvlP5tN0ftXMqO4xUXbmV7Y0Y/s1600/wedding+gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WenNvPniTCT2Xt7rUDrfT8ygPfa6uzkqcJyYjDJVnmpauedTDVFJtTXdXcqnsu4Z7ksCScJ61iNtlNbpdjVNskH1A7EzJFUFENnD65KvEAM3dyWyTDlvlP5tN0ftXMqO4xUXbmV7Y0Y/s400/wedding+gate.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tDEFUyn8T9iU_tLHw2b1vPqe3BkigLiyLuaY1hNyy3EonHht-FeLviOOc3y1yBG36XGSPQ0p0KLYCfRu6cc7hgumaQBIxKuZDMuRM1nwlTFbxqOfkvCWNnKNFj1f2i1tTWWfzAmJ10A/s1600/wedding+shrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tDEFUyn8T9iU_tLHw2b1vPqe3BkigLiyLuaY1hNyy3EonHht-FeLviOOc3y1yBG36XGSPQ0p0KLYCfRu6cc7hgumaQBIxKuZDMuRM1nwlTFbxqOfkvCWNnKNFj1f2i1tTWWfzAmJ10A/s400/wedding+shrine.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFMs0v0xmEtDvPaJVdf4u2UOKawu0SvLGSJDgo8wh6F9pbDkPQrRZ33rMA68fl9VNGybJBNTz1VqWcgFPgNg6iDRE0jPCgoy03w969lk7_UFliNNlRfluF0ras22J2cTyCnqWId-iZQY/s1600/tori+gate+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFMs0v0xmEtDvPaJVdf4u2UOKawu0SvLGSJDgo8wh6F9pbDkPQrRZ33rMA68fl9VNGybJBNTz1VqWcgFPgNg6iDRE0jPCgoy03w969lk7_UFliNNlRfluF0ras22J2cTyCnqWId-iZQY/s1600/tori+gate+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFMs0v0xmEtDvPaJVdf4u2UOKawu0SvLGSJDgo8wh6F9pbDkPQrRZ33rMA68fl9VNGybJBNTz1VqWcgFPgNg6iDRE0jPCgoy03w969lk7_UFliNNlRfluF0ras22J2cTyCnqWId-iZQY/s1600/tori+gate+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFMs0v0xmEtDvPaJVdf4u2UOKawu0SvLGSJDgo8wh6F9pbDkPQrRZ33rMA68fl9VNGybJBNTz1VqWcgFPgNg6iDRE0jPCgoy03w969lk7_UFliNNlRfluF0ras22J2cTyCnqWId-iZQY/s1600/tori+gate+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFMs0v0xmEtDvPaJVdf4u2UOKawu0SvLGSJDgo8wh6F9pbDkPQrRZ33rMA68fl9VNGybJBNTz1VqWcgFPgNg6iDRE0jPCgoy03w969lk7_UFliNNlRfluF0ras22J2cTyCnqWId-iZQY/s1600/tori+gate+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
<a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historic_Monuments_of_Ancient_Kyoto" title="Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFMs0v0xmEtDvPaJVdf4u2UOKawu0SvLGSJDgo8wh6F9pbDkPQrRZ33rMA68fl9VNGybJBNTz1VqWcgFPgNg6iDRE0jPCgoy03w969lk7_UFliNNlRfluF0ras22J2cTyCnqWId-iZQY/s1600/tori+gate+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFMs0v0xmEtDvPaJVdf4u2UOKawu0SvLGSJDgo8wh6F9pbDkPQrRZ33rMA68fl9VNGybJBNTz1VqWcgFPgNg6iDRE0jPCgoy03w969lk7_UFliNNlRfluF0ras22J2cTyCnqWId-iZQY/s400/tori+gate+and+me.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFMs0v0xmEtDvPaJVdf4u2UOKawu0SvLGSJDgo8wh6F9pbDkPQrRZ33rMA68fl9VNGybJBNTz1VqWcgFPgNg6iDRE0jPCgoy03w969lk7_UFliNNlRfluF0ras22J2cTyCnqWId-iZQY/s1600/tori+gate+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1"> </a><br />
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Then we jumped into a taxi and rode to Ryoanji Temple. Now, except for To-ji there hasn't been a Buddhist Temple that we felt anything at. That was not the case for Ryoanji. There was a presence there that was powerful and yet gentle and calm. This temple started life as an aristocrat's villa and was converted to a Zen Buddhist Temple in 1450. The gardens are extensive and are arranged as "rooms" where you can only see one room at a time, and at no time can you see into another room from the one you are in. The paths wind around opening vistas of beauty and calmness. There were very few people visiting that day and it was nice not to fight the crowds.<br />
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The statue of Buddha <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYao7tgK2ANvJJut0OHHN_9EPYD8ooInZ4o5axYaL1hykhPbW4oqrD28KgTc2KJRKEGErU5M3N5l6omfYycnvky2zAkUjh7F585fgrhHKSmI9OUtYnCTIbcP67H4BOtBTSbBVaUZMjb8/s1600/buddha.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYao7tgK2ANvJJut0OHHN_9EPYD8ooInZ4o5axYaL1hykhPbW4oqrD28KgTc2KJRKEGErU5M3N5l6omfYycnvky2zAkUjh7F585fgrhHKSmI9OUtYnCTIbcP67H4BOtBTSbBVaUZMjb8/s400/buddha.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
With a stone lantern<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6h3PN3Ra4dbLA-iipgjYDKSTa7R6-rclXRLgaukrtU6f578C2ieVWvJBH-77OEvjT7zbJ43HK8Phzk-hGO75jR8vMOh3PXvruGvSUkX0EF1vaoEWdIiyAoqwFihLExKcLlxhXaDHDaYQ/s1600/stone+lantern.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6h3PN3Ra4dbLA-iipgjYDKSTa7R6-rclXRLgaukrtU6f578C2ieVWvJBH-77OEvjT7zbJ43HK8Phzk-hGO75jR8vMOh3PXvruGvSUkX0EF1vaoEWdIiyAoqwFihLExKcLlxhXaDHDaYQ/s400/stone+lantern.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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Yet another Rock friend.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HPY-aQ__MEF44yJimtZ9viYZaklQf_UTDk5-O3Q6yicCaaF-vbbX4h833BNjF9FrVS8XWTIQ_2X45yDOJNSgJoliivIJaJKmLrgy1WJ2GW3EU-x3rnNpXfBCqpy_kfNGEoMzrvrtrco/s1600/rock+that+is+a+friend.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HPY-aQ__MEF44yJimtZ9viYZaklQf_UTDk5-O3Q6yicCaaF-vbbX4h833BNjF9FrVS8XWTIQ_2X45yDOJNSgJoliivIJaJKmLrgy1WJ2GW3EU-x3rnNpXfBCqpy_kfNGEoMzrvrtrco/s320/rock+that+is+a+friend.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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This Temple has a rock Zen garden. It was so large that we had trouble photographing it, so you get just two pieces of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3D-j8W1zN5htb5blgaK_zCyF0KKK7aeajIGEp_SKW2ykYzEejgpX4dacWonupFulQob0sWcyaJc5iaYnkhfuGJ0EcjpjpM1BsgOpD1MgFr7yRP_S7xENHi4Pd1QOJMt3x0PRenBriHs/s1600/zen+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3D-j8W1zN5htb5blgaK_zCyF0KKK7aeajIGEp_SKW2ykYzEejgpX4dacWonupFulQob0sWcyaJc5iaYnkhfuGJ0EcjpjpM1BsgOpD1MgFr7yRP_S7xENHi4Pd1QOJMt3x0PRenBriHs/s400/zen+garden.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaRADa4oDI-6chTsq3WjyfzzT8psviCT5_yWXgEUa_RNt_05LCCqLb89-l6nQ2lJHC2wHQoIMuemvbe6RYIeanEMXWzUqj_Xk8LKLOcZQMdlvFQOgq03_UmTYCG1v_Zu2lggFiqvNHZQ/s1600/zen+garden+hip.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaRADa4oDI-6chTsq3WjyfzzT8psviCT5_yWXgEUa_RNt_05LCCqLb89-l6nQ2lJHC2wHQoIMuemvbe6RYIeanEMXWzUqj_Xk8LKLOcZQMdlvFQOgq03_UmTYCG1v_Zu2lggFiqvNHZQ/s320/zen+garden+hip.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Here is a very famous stone water basin, a tsukubai, <span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpdXEke12pGkdV6mBZZjkXdukxySUTEQtJtlDVks86VssQQsOBCZ7pA1YeMpl3PMuP62F3IiIH4-cTTtUwour2Z8zqhxKLeOShrOX32WhttMYl5fE-HDgH7mMoo6RMY2Bu9BC2DGpBGY/s1600/pool.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpdXEke12pGkdV6mBZZjkXdukxySUTEQtJtlDVks86VssQQsOBCZ7pA1YeMpl3PMuP62F3IiIH4-cTTtUwour2Z8zqhxKLeOShrOX32WhttMYl5fE-HDgH7mMoo6RMY2Bu9BC2DGpBGY/s640/pool.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
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Around the outsides of the stone are 4 Chinese characters,<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgWxgyQi006QsfnBmbLW_9Eu2YgHtzqDiDezJ63Q0lYJqvfS5PDYERQKETqmCazW5s74YejaJffm8INEmB3TiXvoSZZLdj3zwzDkravOGkIPQu0DMGGVwhY2wSzOFqCAmerA_wz3Ujvw/s1600/chinese.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgWxgyQi006QsfnBmbLW_9Eu2YgHtzqDiDezJ63Q0lYJqvfS5PDYERQKETqmCazW5s74YejaJffm8INEmB3TiXvoSZZLdj3zwzDkravOGkIPQu0DMGGVwhY2wSzOFqCAmerA_wz3Ujvw/s400/chinese.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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This impressed me enough to buy a trinket with this on it.<br />
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We stood for the longest time trying to figure out the why of these trees. All we know is there were signs everywhere telling one not to touch!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyYYzBpht5tfsUhEeXNEqeh7Hqk5_LUMw3B4YVhZuFtGYhqB-d5Cyf1WqS1u789Lft7Qn2x6DKsqfA3ljIbFelAqyRBYTvGfD30jK6ea7fKqC2u3taDRoPlbphMaNasGPDIcTpJu9_PU/s1600/weird+assed+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyYYzBpht5tfsUhEeXNEqeh7Hqk5_LUMw3B4YVhZuFtGYhqB-d5Cyf1WqS1u789Lft7Qn2x6DKsqfA3ljIbFelAqyRBYTvGfD30jK6ea7fKqC2u3taDRoPlbphMaNasGPDIcTpJu9_PU/s400/weird+assed+trees.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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A beautiful vista of the forest and the reflecting pond<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z0wPbfuat2-es9Guox06mI3fvwefSiyLfp90DOONardNITVjMC7pXzRPaEls7cP8ihQrZMFQwYUeyOJHLB0JKSSLyNck1BmMHb3G4mT_DvSb5tvelYQacTolo9DLrk1yi0AH1iVsXQU/s1600/vista.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z0wPbfuat2-es9Guox06mI3fvwefSiyLfp90DOONardNITVjMC7pXzRPaEls7cP8ihQrZMFQwYUeyOJHLB0JKSSLyNck1BmMHb3G4mT_DvSb5tvelYQacTolo9DLrk1yi0AH1iVsXQU/s400/vista.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn2ezU1V6dQ3qVCEjOtEc3XULux1A8cTIzdeiQ2XKgWv6VAp7Br4ArJvfoDijquPrYguIF-XlOCNUnJL-UuWHbPYIXGquQW53N5sRnNi9ST4EDvT0BPdLXEe436fkp9ubMadBHzVV0k8/s1600/pond.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn2ezU1V6dQ3qVCEjOtEc3XULux1A8cTIzdeiQ2XKgWv6VAp7Br4ArJvfoDijquPrYguIF-XlOCNUnJL-UuWHbPYIXGquQW53N5sRnNi9ST4EDvT0BPdLXEe436fkp9ubMadBHzVV0k8/s400/pond.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-35961130676402659502016-10-21T06:58:00.001-07:002016-10-21T06:58:23.838-07:00Arashiyama!Arashiyama is on the far west of Kyoto and is a gem of natural beauty. If you've seen "Memoirs of a Geisha" you've seen a glimpse of the wonder that is Arashiyama. The scene where Chiyo is taken to a party and she is driven up that wondrous alley of bamboo, that is the famous Bamboo Grove. We have visited there twice, yes we loved it that much, the only down side is that its crowded with noisy folks. I don't care about the amount of folks, just their noise level. We wanted to hear the wind blow the bamboo, and only a few times was the noise level low enough to hear that magnificent sound. What does it sound like? Mostly the same as any large grove of leaf trees being ruffled by the wind, but with a softer, murmuring tone. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL5tZeRIChxWMGMU40rUD99JxtP7T46PQO_kyx8g2SklBZDl6QRmbQuKockl2nlq84IHC20cAT3VUMj8ZBmXU2Ywj5pyEizQWNIvYvhcM-mIfKH8lLYp-kaZvWcuUwzbqsOra2xxqUNg/s1600/IMG_5036.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL5tZeRIChxWMGMU40rUD99JxtP7T46PQO_kyx8g2SklBZDl6QRmbQuKockl2nlq84IHC20cAT3VUMj8ZBmXU2Ywj5pyEizQWNIvYvhcM-mIfKH8lLYp-kaZvWcuUwzbqsOra2xxqUNg/s400/IMG_5036.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztp5ekX9wSbSJKg4xGLTiNJ_E53GCPpoFhXO_Z6LttOfwqhVqEsi9cVFWzyTe3rApWmnUMy8rlRCwEz5m1tMXiKcRrDyy4IfQHxjyiW-t5rQ06FPlF4ysFPRslVdOFwTW-idUjm5T7To/s1600/IMG_5029.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztp5ekX9wSbSJKg4xGLTiNJ_E53GCPpoFhXO_Z6LttOfwqhVqEsi9cVFWzyTe3rApWmnUMy8rlRCwEz5m1tMXiKcRrDyy4IfQHxjyiW-t5rQ06FPlF4ysFPRslVdOFwTW-idUjm5T7To/s400/IMG_5029.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtLH9tSwkWBqnksf_6izT7SIt09_2b14167NyjnLCR1TtoD0XRnw0rnlf6sgW4-Ub5aZDCYQ9gBXQWnQxB4I0TokCOQvFPMBfY1_BPVrln5_fIlnzSFTDI6xRx6eSSE3J7oEh3OU9xvE/s1600/DSC_6441.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtLH9tSwkWBqnksf_6izT7SIt09_2b14167NyjnLCR1TtoD0XRnw0rnlf6sgW4-Ub5aZDCYQ9gBXQWnQxB4I0TokCOQvFPMBfY1_BPVrln5_fIlnzSFTDI6xRx6eSSE3J7oEh3OU9xvE/s400/DSC_6441.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
The Zen temple of Tenryu-ji Temple gardens are beautiful, but honestly, I'd give them a pass in a heart beat to see the gardens at Okochi-Sanso Villa again.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAbzjp7Fpx7m34_Djo5Dv2umUqEvibZ1_KkU7cD-r7IvmluYcVqzaomEcWmd0wjHZ5A3BzjFjxLFzN592FRk6YlfMME07aNfg1u7XfnW063WckGDFQfc1O_EZQsk34xamqpCE_CaA514/s1600/IMG_5006.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAbzjp7Fpx7m34_Djo5Dv2umUqEvibZ1_KkU7cD-r7IvmluYcVqzaomEcWmd0wjHZ5A3BzjFjxLFzN592FRk6YlfMME07aNfg1u7XfnW063WckGDFQfc1O_EZQsk34xamqpCE_CaA514/s640/IMG_5006.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Until Westerners came to Japan, gardens were made to sit in a house with the shoji screens open, sitting on a cushion on the floor, with the beams and pillars framing a view. From each room the view would be slightly different with something special to see from that vantage perspective. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7ceTvyllVTnuWY6Tzc3O1ybD5AcO9tgN15n3I5NMtA6Dc6zML4elZEhijaq8jOYS8XKyZWkdoWMq2OYwQ5tnOYgvdp7wCfTB76ITd_PfIsTyLrDUpt0kvuOynb_HH6dA8MDMpB-chsE/s1600/DSC_6493.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7ceTvyllVTnuWY6Tzc3O1ybD5AcO9tgN15n3I5NMtA6Dc6zML4elZEhijaq8jOYS8XKyZWkdoWMq2OYwQ5tnOYgvdp7wCfTB76ITd_PfIsTyLrDUpt0kvuOynb_HH6dA8MDMpB-chsE/s320/DSC_6493.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The idea of a garden as a place to walk was completely foreign to the Japanese. Gardens were grown to mimic nature, often in miniature, using large stones to replicate mountains, and beds of stones to bring to mind rivers. With trees and bushes to re-create nature.<br />
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A miniature world on an island.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q-agEMToOGCz4L_ajyj6mcYupKEW6g-kaBHh3h9y5zxgWkIyDn6v8PbOc5_kLXREoWzxjuv1qBIUo0D4VbyHwkCtxlGXwk2euAchDBs_v4zCiF-0bJ4qMTUnXKBiHTQ3-lBq9ZDpr-E/s1600/IMG_5018.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q-agEMToOGCz4L_ajyj6mcYupKEW6g-kaBHh3h9y5zxgWkIyDn6v8PbOc5_kLXREoWzxjuv1qBIUo0D4VbyHwkCtxlGXwk2euAchDBs_v4zCiF-0bJ4qMTUnXKBiHTQ3-lBq9ZDpr-E/s400/IMG_5018.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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However, Zen gardens had small irregular stepping stones with fragile moss between the stones that won't bear repeated steps without dying back. The idea behind Zen gardens was to unhook from the rigors of the day, and the petty concerns and turn inward to explore larger questions of life and self. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmfUBMve_VffS-cDF-7RSNzL25IEncfHdc_K_O2Z6KVhBw-I6iGjuWeM5SqzmzUijQpBNSaHj6gQUzsHkonbcCExjpudcaa4OpdufLLedfGO9A1kvixQ9q5v7ZcBOT2fZfLodbKdliyw/s1600/steps.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmfUBMve_VffS-cDF-7RSNzL25IEncfHdc_K_O2Z6KVhBw-I6iGjuWeM5SqzmzUijQpBNSaHj6gQUzsHkonbcCExjpudcaa4OpdufLLedfGO9A1kvixQ9q5v7ZcBOT2fZfLodbKdliyw/s400/steps.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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<br />A gate leading to another part of the garden, accessed from the back of the house, is framed to make a view that is tranquil.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwFZYc-pULE6cKpc5yOMv_FLAvRsG_Q5xR-nApgYIJu-E9ToKyENXHS2Io6bd1-rzlutSDqF4knfxX_X2n8B3UQosJXAk5q4kl6EDGQW35CDl1dADLT9nUJkL2nE_zJtfajDDNDoKbtk/s1600/IMG_5095.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwFZYc-pULE6cKpc5yOMv_FLAvRsG_Q5xR-nApgYIJu-E9ToKyENXHS2Io6bd1-rzlutSDqF4knfxX_X2n8B3UQosJXAk5q4kl6EDGQW35CDl1dADLT9nUJkL2nE_zJtfajDDNDoKbtk/s400/IMG_5095.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Call me crazy, or a heathen but some rocks to me are alive, and this rock captivated me for quite a long while. Even just seeing the pictures of this rock gives me chills and a feeling I have no words to describe. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOIX-10dBV-xG70AmXp0plOjsnMEd1IOqEuTQwiFYUBswpa-6nvfOLZ93J4IZ7KQVXWfphdFgAt4Zrb4-3vE7GxL3GGL83Skk5zPuVSulQWDe9LsHwkOTe8gOMaDDlLRZcqoNqY24XOI/s1600/IMG_5052.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOIX-10dBV-xG70AmXp0plOjsnMEd1IOqEuTQwiFYUBswpa-6nvfOLZ93J4IZ7KQVXWfphdFgAt4Zrb4-3vE7GxL3GGL83Skk5zPuVSulQWDe9LsHwkOTe8gOMaDDlLRZcqoNqY24XOI/s320/IMG_5052.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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A fountain made of a hollowed rock and a bamboo pipe. It slowly dripped water into the rock. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvvl21SZy4N03dNBLvnIaLxHdZjOne1Jc-QFVNZ2rmqgbjLBhY5AjyeCqKVohAuRbHPdKRCpM6O1OqFqkTWxvkMuQDmhdeuViQSPOezy2BSlMwSa59UABX0kgymoEGLwFOLrXSHQiIDo/s1600/IMG_5057.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvvl21SZy4N03dNBLvnIaLxHdZjOne1Jc-QFVNZ2rmqgbjLBhY5AjyeCqKVohAuRbHPdKRCpM6O1OqFqkTWxvkMuQDmhdeuViQSPOezy2BSlMwSa59UABX0kgymoEGLwFOLrXSHQiIDo/s320/IMG_5057.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Okochi-Sanso Villa embodies both of those concepts of gardens. With every step forward a small change in the vista occurs, making a trip through the garden a slow progression. At the end of the garden we both felt refreshed and calm.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva5KfUzaghj-7aAIZXwMFyM1_YTIxbJ-5Dc8Y49JF7wgZlvuhaIuFQg3QOgulrMWpvapakB_YgE9KyG_rRe4q3udqvjJ3-bjwLD5YnPpDFb5Qy6vXxkAPCI-o_oEHV4CGjsZzr2muhgA/s1600/IMG_5101.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva5KfUzaghj-7aAIZXwMFyM1_YTIxbJ-5Dc8Y49JF7wgZlvuhaIuFQg3QOgulrMWpvapakB_YgE9KyG_rRe4q3udqvjJ3-bjwLD5YnPpDFb5Qy6vXxkAPCI-o_oEHV4CGjsZzr2muhgA/s400/IMG_5101.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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The green isn't grass, but moss.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wA082iURA9fYBm-u6Y-t7HSkzOXoVGA1IZmTTnv9O-vaK47wdqgGZz7MPcBI2cXb1LdrrbdjHLvK28orTnxnxHoYIr2pGxqCoAYoU5JV7uESHOBmvzksLb42qPHnx4i1-wUDwYABBd4/s1600/IMG_5089.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wA082iURA9fYBm-u6Y-t7HSkzOXoVGA1IZmTTnv9O-vaK47wdqgGZz7MPcBI2cXb1LdrrbdjHLvK28orTnxnxHoYIr2pGxqCoAYoU5JV7uESHOBmvzksLb42qPHnx4i1-wUDwYABBd4/s320/IMG_5089.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Unfortunately, many of those from the West, don't understand Japanese gardens, and complain there are no flower beds, or some of the gardens are hundreds of varieties of moss, or the extremely Zen gardens made of large rocks with smaller stones arranged on a base of either raked sand or small gravel. <br />
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For a day of fun we went back for a second go at the joys of Arashiyama and rode the scenic train to Kameoka. This was the orginal train connection from Arashiyama and it weaves back and forth, drives through numerous tunnels pushed there by the locomotive. The train sways and is quite noisy, like our trains of yesteryear. The one and only draw back of the train is the wee tiny bench seats. Hubby and I were lodged in like two sardines, and had to synchronize our movements. <br />
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A view of the Huza-gawa river from the train. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjN0saDlSCILVYrs1I8jTerpUr8ReBPR1gJp8KT716ZHJUwgLWKVK5zfQ5N_ORdPXTuUALr4P8PRM9c3sJI5Kd0b3cwI0yaX1BRpJywvPds65bFYUoEfR6kb4gqASHKDJ9l7CJk9-IW8/s1600/DSC_6891.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjN0saDlSCILVYrs1I8jTerpUr8ReBPR1gJp8KT716ZHJUwgLWKVK5zfQ5N_ORdPXTuUALr4P8PRM9c3sJI5Kd0b3cwI0yaX1BRpJywvPds65bFYUoEfR6kb4gqASHKDJ9l7CJk9-IW8/s320/DSC_6891.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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For the trip back to Arashiyama we took a boat trip back on the Huza-gawa that was filled with scenic wonder. The entire trip of nearly 2 hours we saw only two structures, the river gorge was filled with trees with birds and turtles loitering about.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR1xefG3r-wwRcakufZV5Swcdzq6R-CY-M494sbWqOGP4ubxxbZhV7MHFcBcWmFAs6G7ve2Yhb4ObzpAjLQXhC3_1rPWClsFyAQo8bsXiU6G75KDxzNy6s6an5iUr3l7A5SK6GkXEIsw/s1600/DSC_6933.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR1xefG3r-wwRcakufZV5Swcdzq6R-CY-M494sbWqOGP4ubxxbZhV7MHFcBcWmFAs6G7ve2Yhb4ObzpAjLQXhC3_1rPWClsFyAQo8bsXiU6G75KDxzNy6s6an5iUr3l7A5SK6GkXEIsw/s400/DSC_6933.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Towards the end of the boat ride was the most amazing thing I've ever seen on a river. The Japanese call convenience stores "conbini", and they are everywhere and yes, they are down right convenient! The Hozu-gawa river trip ends with a nice break at a conbini boat! They had fruit and drinks, and hot foods cooked right there, on the boat! Our boat and the conbini boat stayed together while the food and money and empty plates were passed back and forth. What a totally awesome idea! Just imagine, there you are, out on a fishing boat, after getting up extra early to beat the traffic with only a quick cup of coffee and a bun or slice of toast and now you're cold and hungry. Wouldn't a hot cup of fresh coffee and a nice hot breakfast snack be wonderful?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOU7e1ZYwP9Tv_SS2_QvUzeXbzIuzK6MDu15OZLK6yXYgS_AuLSJtNR15fpEJtRCu-3TaY3t9TnU6SbEN1ZSAyydNdmK1yE90z25gXAeC0ICUq1IH-ly_6rNLu936HAlmHU454ProZtw/s1600/DSC_7027.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOU7e1ZYwP9Tv_SS2_QvUzeXbzIuzK6MDu15OZLK6yXYgS_AuLSJtNR15fpEJtRCu-3TaY3t9TnU6SbEN1ZSAyydNdmK1yE90z25gXAeC0ICUq1IH-ly_6rNLu936HAlmHU454ProZtw/s400/DSC_7027.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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Mr. Cook plying his trade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtDtQ8VAS_AQMdS6MmOLqDl4LQv2BdTMf0XNJh0Dwux-PI1OHgrvFrrPGU4pBhI6uHJ4z62rzzjxipXSIaSLuUWDbQ6R4IgNq7KKJMqs_LqCirAaMre7iZSN5qaIgAl0_cXF9ftgUF6k/s1600/DSC_7029.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtDtQ8VAS_AQMdS6MmOLqDl4LQv2BdTMf0XNJh0Dwux-PI1OHgrvFrrPGU4pBhI6uHJ4z62rzzjxipXSIaSLuUWDbQ6R4IgNq7KKJMqs_LqCirAaMre7iZSN5qaIgAl0_cXF9ftgUF6k/s400/DSC_7029.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<br />And the grilled octopus and cuddle fish Greg bought. He said it tasted smokey and was tender and delicious! Or using the Japanese word, "Oishi!"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJB0JLhNeGzW9d4K6SVQdPHhZ0pk3Ls47dgL8CixR2NXcw3KjBatX43jsGyLMQ_kHaey_oc8JwJ9Y9VU36csqeKSIyS0DXsvhMQRuBaghGnkd4Z2pu1mUK2BTkkGUyIwsYivYGUtF61E/s1600/DSC_7032.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJB0JLhNeGzW9d4K6SVQdPHhZ0pk3Ls47dgL8CixR2NXcw3KjBatX43jsGyLMQ_kHaey_oc8JwJ9Y9VU36csqeKSIyS0DXsvhMQRuBaghGnkd4Z2pu1mUK2BTkkGUyIwsYivYGUtF61E/s320/DSC_7032.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-1659766361880302372016-10-18T07:41:00.000-07:002016-10-18T07:41:21.764-07:00A trip to NaraOur hostess at the hotel and her second in command took us to Nara! She loves the town of Nara, but the Todai-ji Temple is special to her, and she makes many visits during the year to pray. We felt honored beyond any words that she wanted to share her special place with us.<br />
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Nara was the Imperial capital before Kyoto, from 710-794. The Buddhist temples retained their immense power for years after the capital moved. In 2010 Nara celebrated its 1,300 anniversary of its ascension as an Imperial capital of Japan.<br />
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Due to a fable that had one of the leaders of this sect of Buddhism riding to Japan on a white deer, the deer were proclaimed to be divine creatures. After WW2 the deer went from being divine to being National Treasures. The punishment for killing these deer was death! No one has paid the ultimate price since 1637 and the law no longer stands. Whew!! Car + deer + snowy roads = dead deer and you, if the law hadn't of changed.<br />
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These deer are <i>everywhere!</i> From the main Nara park and into the Temple grounds and shops before the gates it smells like a farm. They have a fella drive around a machine that sweeps up their "gifts". Most of the males have their antlers cut off, but a few still had sizeable racks. Not sure why some were de-horned and others were allowed to keep theirs.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYV5dthYNTJCGNnh1qnA6LvEzRH1_BqZtKJNaa5WL5c6OTJHvykOFJ4kYLgT4Z1sBHuLwCH_rWBSBFtkAd4SFIm9cXDqC2oiMNgu-XzlghyphenhyphenegTMFkHQqG6566sJRxIWuvO6rMUPE4z28/s1600/DSC_6712.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYV5dthYNTJCGNnh1qnA6LvEzRH1_BqZtKJNaa5WL5c6OTJHvykOFJ4kYLgT4Z1sBHuLwCH_rWBSBFtkAd4SFIm9cXDqC2oiMNgu-XzlghyphenhyphenegTMFkHQqG6566sJRxIWuvO6rMUPE4z28/s320/DSC_6712.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The deer can be a mite agressive, and having anything to eat will draw them like flies. This couple was having a terrible time keeping their baby safe from this deer. I don't know what was the draw for the deer with the baby, but in the end the dad lifted the stroller up and away from the deer, while the wife gently shooed it away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQH8ZZVtaiPRhiOsJt6tg1CDZrMmgJc3cVT89LFyJgk9-T6o5LaSwy2hp33JhE7LUea0YTwTB6a0o5lItGRQZf202CMyQbbvL4PEOAmmkUHaa6bpFlMeBsmmFZhmGjPxixXsM_D7eGvE/s1600/DSC_6647.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQH8ZZVtaiPRhiOsJt6tg1CDZrMmgJc3cVT89LFyJgk9-T6o5LaSwy2hp33JhE7LUea0YTwTB6a0o5lItGRQZf202CMyQbbvL4PEOAmmkUHaa6bpFlMeBsmmFZhmGjPxixXsM_D7eGvE/s320/DSC_6647.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Here's Greg cautiously petting one. I finally did get brave enough to pet one, and they are mighty soft, like the back of a dogs ear.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6NQKHff-vIMKqPk6TeoP9eAddo7mCBZjXBegEQj0egwvGZCKMuMGgKeM91PL9fXMCzvPYxiIIoPKVYg6FRVlu0oxgKyk5CoD3OKcH65k2x0cZXX9ZF9NxfT_7jotvlpnKmhjA6p6Tic/s1600/IMG_5147.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6NQKHff-vIMKqPk6TeoP9eAddo7mCBZjXBegEQj0egwvGZCKMuMGgKeM91PL9fXMCzvPYxiIIoPKVYg6FRVlu0oxgKyk5CoD3OKcH65k2x0cZXX9ZF9NxfT_7jotvlpnKmhjA6p6Tic/s320/IMG_5147.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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To alert people to the dangers the deer can cause humans here is a sign that was posted on the Temple grounds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXrpLFjbn2x9Eju8j49z-ALwKaJmSJgX7acKTaWHGJliRl5kSJ9CSb2C8qdhmbA09JPUr9h51xjB9ZRhseA6fVKGsI__7BN6V3_A8-8rM4Ti3MXPfAdERtBHGVdbBsRw6hyF06dUzu_k/s1600/IMG_5152.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXrpLFjbn2x9Eju8j49z-ALwKaJmSJgX7acKTaWHGJliRl5kSJ9CSb2C8qdhmbA09JPUr9h51xjB9ZRhseA6fVKGsI__7BN6V3_A8-8rM4Ti3MXPfAdERtBHGVdbBsRw6hyF06dUzu_k/s400/IMG_5152.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Rather than rewrite the facts of Daibutsu, I'll just be lazy beans and do a copy paste jobby here.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEuhxnMCdWVeEF3yuKozTMHH_EF_EIuhvcZeuV1GVA6fllLk38pMePygEbwqR8IAGUVM1kxN_CrijnTMnBmQoXV0iwt9Bjwaj6LES-s8SF9Hps6FKgK7uvs3W5ugjZHboq84WYYvjSAk/s1600/DSC_6742.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEuhxnMCdWVeEF3yuKozTMHH_EF_EIuhvcZeuV1GVA6fllLk38pMePygEbwqR8IAGUVM1kxN_CrijnTMnBmQoXV0iwt9Bjwaj6LES-s8SF9Hps6FKgK7uvs3W5ugjZHboq84WYYvjSAk/s400/DSC_6742.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<h3>
<span class="mw-headline" id="Dimensions_of_the_Daibutsu">Dimensions of the Daibutsu</span></h3>
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The temple gives the following dimensions for the statue:<br />
<ul>
<li>Height: 14.98 m (49 ft 2 in)</li>
<li>Face: 5.33 m (17 ft 6 in)</li>
<li>Eyes: 1.02 m (3 ft 4 in)</li>
<li>Nose: 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in)</li>
<li>Ears: 2.54 m (8 ft 4 in)</li>
</ul>
The statue's shoulders are 28 meters across and there are 960 six curls atop its head. The Birushana Buddha's golden halo is 27 m (87 ft) in diameter with 16 images each 2.4 m (8 ft) tall.<br />
Recently, using x-rays, a human tooth, along with pearls, mirrors,
swords, and jewels were discovered inside of the knee of the Great
Buddha; these are believed to be the relics of <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Shomu" title="Emperor Shomu">Emperor Shomu</a>.<br />
The statue weighs 500 tonnes (550 short tons).</blockquote>
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It is unbelievably gigantic, but then every thing about this Temple is of the extra large size. Look at the size of those gates!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzWDE5N-c3QG7-VTABaTE_B9ohwZjKFiBbn3ouLCPhinP2rI9aiCqdFH16I4s3AQ7T8CEY1niYOl8D9CCkxR4Tqg7IEuTulwO9z6UK3B9jefGep-jDwojHIblrUfXFrhRWafoPh95NwI/s1600/DSC_6666.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzWDE5N-c3QG7-VTABaTE_B9ohwZjKFiBbn3ouLCPhinP2rI9aiCqdFH16I4s3AQ7T8CEY1niYOl8D9CCkxR4Tqg7IEuTulwO9z6UK3B9jefGep-jDwojHIblrUfXFrhRWafoPh95NwI/s400/DSC_6666.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvbWULnIw48kxpvTL_HlY12DRE9jwXE3oA2HarTdkdnPhEg3iPECwWkLJ_0wj86_sBeshgkWnh8p-6bT6iPHF6-xtnGcXnG7GuRgADL9B0ZdlY2UzEy7hRBM1WGp1_s36EYzDVgZtMzg/s1600/DSC_6670.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvbWULnIw48kxpvTL_HlY12DRE9jwXE3oA2HarTdkdnPhEg3iPECwWkLJ_0wj86_sBeshgkWnh8p-6bT6iPHF6-xtnGcXnG7GuRgADL9B0ZdlY2UzEy7hRBM1WGp1_s36EYzDVgZtMzg/s400/DSC_6670.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The building that houses Daibutsu is big, but with his statue, and several others, the building only seems mammoth from the outside.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixO0tLZDqXB_j4T5oRPgUbKYey-Yz-9h00NeJmrCyxt5c8XWxaQDhZ8voX9wnThcarA6n6GMf2JulGlJqvPuFCbmKE23lVvHCYkict-WPOGsrRWeuI5nAdyG-8SVxt2L-3lV41qZwSPYQ/s1600/DSC_6732.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixO0tLZDqXB_j4T5oRPgUbKYey-Yz-9h00NeJmrCyxt5c8XWxaQDhZ8voX9wnThcarA6n6GMf2JulGlJqvPuFCbmKE23lVvHCYkict-WPOGsrRWeuI5nAdyG-8SVxt2L-3lV41qZwSPYQ/s400/DSC_6732.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1L2HJM12YG9WFf8_WU6afx6xfnDKpCrnjo6Y2cvdLWVlCPF5EG7WQ5Xo6v0zdC66fxd7UF9fVz4h3SqU-MXIYc-cbHRdvIGerAiMNgpdwRIGZWbVmLOgOXrArxrDB8_VADhaQce4hII/s1600/DSC_6759.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1L2HJM12YG9WFf8_WU6afx6xfnDKpCrnjo6Y2cvdLWVlCPF5EG7WQ5Xo6v0zdC66fxd7UF9fVz4h3SqU-MXIYc-cbHRdvIGerAiMNgpdwRIGZWbVmLOgOXrArxrDB8_VADhaQce4hII/s400/DSC_6759.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVl9nGY0I7Y9YMNF9M1EZOSsk5BTRZ_pioITB425D3pgBggx3VyUjv-ZJXpU8YF4cKHagOOf7wrYBZpyLW2bwPW5-FrtVp18UFJaELvWYXhVTiqmyWyG5CBHkNnkz8UO4_EACev-03Cc/s1600/DSC_6776.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVl9nGY0I7Y9YMNF9M1EZOSsk5BTRZ_pioITB425D3pgBggx3VyUjv-ZJXpU8YF4cKHagOOf7wrYBZpyLW2bwPW5-FrtVp18UFJaELvWYXhVTiqmyWyG5CBHkNnkz8UO4_EACev-03Cc/s400/DSC_6776.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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There is a hole carved into one of the pillars and its supposed to be good luck to crawl through. Of course parents love having their children pose here, and it does make for cute photos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Y29no3O7NQRuSnaV2M-3ewbOXGSmi84A7nD6HsDAs0ysyIZ61nXdF8LM20qwX8cvYSwHuIEBQDJ7qu_j67NsDMs0yxeohnWzdJ_6KZR-v-cYiYcJ4kfvXfKR75GFuGNbQeoFpBQ7HPE/s1600/DSC_6775.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Y29no3O7NQRuSnaV2M-3ewbOXGSmi84A7nD6HsDAs0ysyIZ61nXdF8LM20qwX8cvYSwHuIEBQDJ7qu_j67NsDMs0yxeohnWzdJ_6KZR-v-cYiYcJ4kfvXfKR75GFuGNbQeoFpBQ7HPE/s400/DSC_6775.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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In the Mirror pond in front of Daibutsu's home is this boat,<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4WNXOm0ce2nC0vHJ4WofIxXGP_eEyqZ0qDZByx6upgF-P-AtEikUJ6g9TeCVZNS_S2vfedFCX2uXTzUwMYfNCwJWTGrXkGtsJIgROrt8v3HdPbmLWxzy2MG_TbqcXyLF-cM0M09B2Hs/s1600/DSC_6686.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4WNXOm0ce2nC0vHJ4WofIxXGP_eEyqZ0qDZByx6upgF-P-AtEikUJ6g9TeCVZNS_S2vfedFCX2uXTzUwMYfNCwJWTGrXkGtsJIgROrt8v3HdPbmLWxzy2MG_TbqcXyLF-cM0M09B2Hs/s400/DSC_6686.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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And here is the story of the boat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15PMC_ksPUV5gKe6F9xEldOjHTA1PAk7tpIh6xVjfYuLoZXD-SbpV81t99IHdz95ljJo2IryM3UNdwGM_FKh6Yjrz-YIApKo3h-s4ft6KXhVf3zi7JH1D-F6BZgiBes8e3KgIy_ERgU0/s1600/IMG_5153.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15PMC_ksPUV5gKe6F9xEldOjHTA1PAk7tpIh6xVjfYuLoZXD-SbpV81t99IHdz95ljJo2IryM3UNdwGM_FKh6Yjrz-YIApKo3h-s4ft6KXhVf3zi7JH1D-F6BZgiBes8e3KgIy_ERgU0/s640/IMG_5153.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-71648141064940913112016-10-17T06:19:00.002-07:002016-10-17T06:41:59.687-07:00Eggs, toilets and tidbits of life in JapanWhat fascinates us about different cultures is how even the simplest things are seen in a different light from ours. In Antigua they give directions using gas stations as landmarks. "Now go down this road until there is a gas station on the right, turn left there, keep going until you see the harbor." We had the hardest time driving about there until we gave up on finding named streets and just went with the gas station directions. Worked like a charm!<br />
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In Japan you can buy a loaf of bread in 3, 4, 5 or 6 slices. Eggs are sold in a package of 10. And butter is sold in a solid block, size depending upon weight. Carrots are sold in packages of 3, and potatoes and cucumbers are packs of 4.<br />
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Shio {salt} eggs are delicious, they are cooked in a brine so when you peel them they are already salted! Genius!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u6wBX4EAt8E286ri4Anr558-KwhBwI0JckI0QKagZqtzOEbNg7-4YHBhITK5x4eC6dBdEHmJ56NoxYDg74XLHustug8dzhbVyUcNhppUgYGUR-91MwhBNOG7caD41QPwmati2FzdehI/s1600/IMG_4800.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u6wBX4EAt8E286ri4Anr558-KwhBwI0JckI0QKagZqtzOEbNg7-4YHBhITK5x4eC6dBdEHmJ56NoxYDg74XLHustug8dzhbVyUcNhppUgYGUR-91MwhBNOG7caD41QPwmati2FzdehI/s320/IMG_4800.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Confused as to what I was buying, one day I purchased onsen {hot springs} eggs. Shudder, they were just to.....to....mucus-ish for me to even think about eating!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkpYHzWlvCSxK_Nza4-qD0hLxr1tynQs_n97fcn3SdP178T8mOPgvOpAfX4IJTq1VHzFSATSTB4DmGgQ0NfWvMUx3WUd979oFwq-W_19Js6p9ZofP1UOkbYieP5HbYzkwecFZpVnRhzY/s1600/IMG_5131.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkpYHzWlvCSxK_Nza4-qD0hLxr1tynQs_n97fcn3SdP178T8mOPgvOpAfX4IJTq1VHzFSATSTB4DmGgQ0NfWvMUx3WUd979oFwq-W_19Js6p9ZofP1UOkbYieP5HbYzkwecFZpVnRhzY/s320/IMG_5131.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Every grocery we have shopped in has this basket/cart arrangement.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnLw5Fm5SOBcgkDpp-rOAM_jWqJ3wN9s75B3AHXLl4lgJojI6uUykqsQdpRNkALACxGRYx4xJPCWOAZDqCw-eDG64k88sN-XnWhjcrZPJcWkzPgefcAQYq96XR5ynz4h-0xkPPn4eEqk/s1600/IMG_4939.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnLw5Fm5SOBcgkDpp-rOAM_jWqJ3wN9s75B3AHXLl4lgJojI6uUykqsQdpRNkALACxGRYx4xJPCWOAZDqCw-eDG64k88sN-XnWhjcrZPJcWkzPgefcAQYq96XR5ynz4h-0xkPPn4eEqk/s320/IMG_4939.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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When you are finished shopping you put the basket on the clerks counter, she has an empty basket all ready to go. She picks up an item from your basket, beeps it, and then places it in the new one. When you are all checked out, you put the full basket back on the cart, wheel it over to a counter and pack your own groceries. Very few people drive to the grocery, they take the bus, ride their bike or walk. How they travel home will depend upon how they want it packed. If you don't bring your own cloth bags they will sell you a plastic one for 130 Yen. So, don't leave home without your bags!<br />
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Women's restrooms have a floor mounted urinal for mum's traveling with small boys, brilliant isn't it?<br />
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Something I would have loved to have is a seat in the corner of the stall to put babies and toddlers in to keep them up off the floor!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtce2o4paRAQeAms6Hd9V002mvjLgpsiE7u5hNRwYP_4oc7rp7hBx2Yq4ukv2x0LliqDLWfmblVQZbjE2UyvIQAGsZRGVvhJzdtygXL6BcNa4VznlrUp-HyTVXAFP3kEEVV8otH9HrqN4/s1600/IMG_4783.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtce2o4paRAQeAms6Hd9V002mvjLgpsiE7u5hNRwYP_4oc7rp7hBx2Yq4ukv2x0LliqDLWfmblVQZbjE2UyvIQAGsZRGVvhJzdtygXL6BcNa4VznlrUp-HyTVXAFP3kEEVV8otH9HrqN4/s320/IMG_4783.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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And the ladies stalls have floor to ceiling doors and walls, many come with Otohime {princess sound} to muffle the noise of what they are doing. <br />
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The ladies desire and receive privacy in their restrooms, however the men's room is a totally different story. Quite often as one walks down a hallway, there is the men's room no door with urinals in plain view with fellas using them. I was honestly shocked the first time I walked down a hallway and saw a doorway, looked in and saw a fella peeing.<br />
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The blind are well taken care of, with raised tiles to help guide the blind throughout their journeys. The sidewalks all have the raised tiles, running in a continuous line with side pieces announcing building entrances and street corners. With the ki-ko-ki-ko telling them they are safe to cross intersections. This raised tiles came from the sidewalk, through the doorway, and up to the first tellers window!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fVmJFXKu0A5uUCYfZp3QEVq5eKIn94HW66DxBj14F_idzAflRAIRJBEtBvy99ZboTW4KvOgB0b1vFZbbQdBYQb53oM0Sp6ujj5dbpdTqXwfDjBbIWKeVcOAWJDukgsaKNoU4ct2K2xI/s1600/IMG_4988.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fVmJFXKu0A5uUCYfZp3QEVq5eKIn94HW66DxBj14F_idzAflRAIRJBEtBvy99ZboTW4KvOgB0b1vFZbbQdBYQb53oM0Sp6ujj5dbpdTqXwfDjBbIWKeVcOAWJDukgsaKNoU4ct2K2xI/s320/IMG_4988.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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This bit of braille was on a handrail at the Kyoto JR Station telling them there are stairs up.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJryH-hiLhf3xA6LM9LEL7S4pBy2AXUIt_TxSjS6vbjv2jR7A85OC5PBqJGDALP_IYgVkZCKvf_hzolV_IXWcz1H7RZr3t_9DdfaGFEBW22jtj-hLcrKxlFQ_uN6GduqoIq2hJjgcPPTs/s1600/rail.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJryH-hiLhf3xA6LM9LEL7S4pBy2AXUIt_TxSjS6vbjv2jR7A85OC5PBqJGDALP_IYgVkZCKvf_hzolV_IXWcz1H7RZr3t_9DdfaGFEBW22jtj-hLcrKxlFQ_uN6GduqoIq2hJjgcPPTs/s320/rail.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Here is a set in a upscale hotel bathroom.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpS-2b_QCMuzMU_V6XyQAmyNM6Rgm7UfvqT-MyssaFBurCHLZ3HtNPl3pHyLle0pkZzRrw1y5aLhXPk16a_cGA3G3yV1oNpj7rwFuV9yldlGjJw7e7N1ip_wrKFGK265QV16KyoSOhUE/s1600/sink.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpS-2b_QCMuzMU_V6XyQAmyNM6Rgm7UfvqT-MyssaFBurCHLZ3HtNPl3pHyLle0pkZzRrw1y5aLhXPk16a_cGA3G3yV1oNpj7rwFuV9yldlGjJw7e7N1ip_wrKFGK265QV16KyoSOhUE/s320/sink.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Most all elevator buttons come in two seperate sets, one for standing folks, and those who either small, young or in wheelchairs.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWO7HBF4J8Ep4IKQ0Yzy0o3rrNisze_x6odb-SSj3bAx2kAR7N2OG063biOtVLNhPXlKi-ofLj8B_Ui2xayq-sVoMMb2OVceyaKOg1gfV4SKbIDoAAfUIT4khLdYPezCISa7yGQZJceo/s1600/lift.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWO7HBF4J8Ep4IKQ0Yzy0o3rrNisze_x6odb-SSj3bAx2kAR7N2OG063biOtVLNhPXlKi-ofLj8B_Ui2xayq-sVoMMb2OVceyaKOg1gfV4SKbIDoAAfUIT4khLdYPezCISa7yGQZJceo/s320/lift.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Kyoto is in an area where snowfall is light, and rain is common. Downspouts and gutters would quickly get overwhelmed so they don't have any. Most new houses have deep gravel beds around the house or use slanted stone drip boards. The old fashioned method, still in use are kusari doi - rain chains.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUGIIlSTG7dm98BpeOT6Xer_qivnirl9YfRf2x1GITDgPEYKLvYE18yX90vyIMQsiYD5JKyubXVT29frXxk8qrsNNIbyxsJ0nobHp835evsFHObjl7DEyugGOtIY9fNLxpCo9CWYWnEU/s1600/rain.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUGIIlSTG7dm98BpeOT6Xer_qivnirl9YfRf2x1GITDgPEYKLvYE18yX90vyIMQsiYD5JKyubXVT29frXxk8qrsNNIbyxsJ0nobHp835evsFHObjl7DEyugGOtIY9fNLxpCo9CWYWnEU/s320/rain.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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For a country that loves its tech and embraces modernity, they still love tradition and traditional ways of doing things. Which is why seeing bamboo scaffolding is common.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnMgHZkcOyOs1SEoVe93pxsdA3V02FtI9-Qe83l5IDQwX5msWT7VsBXM0HV_rGj0LH7Xk6sBjRKkufIFQWDJc7bdQLk5VWadGf52O8t5TBj2fgRMz5VOynkgBZyvP5rvMO9-ISLoWKNU/s1600/DSC_6255.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnMgHZkcOyOs1SEoVe93pxsdA3V02FtI9-Qe83l5IDQwX5msWT7VsBXM0HV_rGj0LH7Xk6sBjRKkufIFQWDJc7bdQLk5VWadGf52O8t5TBj2fgRMz5VOynkgBZyvP5rvMO9-ISLoWKNU/s320/DSC_6255.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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And if you are wondering about the stories about tiny houses and crazy parking, here is the most extreme example we have yet seen.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15j2y37ceN9DhT-KUaxKL2YrxT_m1rX-CLS7L7ORCKcoer-smo_vz0VtMoPBCDWhngL5HAW8EmQpyjD3rFnO3xnjpb1OrlgUCP1c4dywO797_udRgRIPnv2GDSB-BJrLVxTj3ameGgLQ/s1600/IMG_4866.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15j2y37ceN9DhT-KUaxKL2YrxT_m1rX-CLS7L7ORCKcoer-smo_vz0VtMoPBCDWhngL5HAW8EmQpyjD3rFnO3xnjpb1OrlgUCP1c4dywO797_udRgRIPnv2GDSB-BJrLVxTj3ameGgLQ/s320/IMG_4866.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Surprising us both is the amount of Halloween items that are everywhere! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_u-sx2aXp8XWPsbTtqkIexTaooEWB1WbfsEqJ6n2k3fAoUuFWMJ6vYPOfKGg0qTnX5_fn_FLU4ZH6uUhpoktDrw-KW5hk-xOTK_8JAHbX_Bw87kxHbmqoooIdvVotcJ0TzrdE5nU7bM/s1600/IMG_5125.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_u-sx2aXp8XWPsbTtqkIexTaooEWB1WbfsEqJ6n2k3fAoUuFWMJ6vYPOfKGg0qTnX5_fn_FLU4ZH6uUhpoktDrw-KW5hk-xOTK_8JAHbX_Bw87kxHbmqoooIdvVotcJ0TzrdE5nU7bM/s320/IMG_5125.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62qjKrv1t5eezG_iGVbYNEUYY5slstKOxN8MxsE4dxsProZTS93OJLopHFn-c6JL1mxVrEKh6de70pTJjYZzpP0f_lYU5yI3modkPy4hqUDMQRgEtBk3louDVILjxx48sPLyC75H1sdY/s1600/IMG_5123.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
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Origami pumpkins! Adorable!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0HDXakPzBKEsLim4MlE0kJnxTYuJAarCkTAvILjiDGt-c3ETlw_pcOpU5347MrhKw7JmCwY5h_3whENOXs2_wbLaIhVVDKPnAUJ5vAwyyLhneabnn1EdoRS7uzEa4XXyQPEcZnEPm3s/s1600/pumpkin.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0HDXakPzBKEsLim4MlE0kJnxTYuJAarCkTAvILjiDGt-c3ETlw_pcOpU5347MrhKw7JmCwY5h_3whENOXs2_wbLaIhVVDKPnAUJ5vAwyyLhneabnn1EdoRS7uzEa4XXyQPEcZnEPm3s/s400/pumpkin.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-4744756516235170542016-10-14T02:11:00.003-07:002016-10-14T02:11:59.337-07:00Wherein we try something newWanting to step off the well worn path of Kyoto tourism going from temple to shrine to garden, rinse repeat, we decided to try our hand at some traditional crafts.<br />
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While looking thru the activities page in one of the dozens of leaflets, pamphlets and the local tourism magazine we happened across Yamamoto Roketsu dyeing. Which is painting with liquid wax onto a piece of cloth and then dying it. The technique sounded intriguing and we made a reservation for the next day.<br />
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The studio was within walking distance, so with map in hand we strike out. We walk by the park, with confidence in our steps we turn left and walk down the street, only to go to the next block and the studio was not in sight.<br />
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We turned around and hauled out the map again and stepped into one of the two parking spots of a business to discuss where we went wrong. And a lady popped out the front door and hurried over. My first thought was that she was upset we were clogging up her front parking spot, but no she wanted to help. After showing her what we were wanting, she took off at a RUN! down the block around the corner and then pointing to where we needed to go. And sure enough, right where she had motioned to us, was the dyeing studio. Throughout our bumbling wandering trip in Japan everyone has attempted to help us whenever we were lost. Once without even asking for help a young fella told us we were waiting for the wrong bus number. He had overheard us trying to remember what the kanji for Kyoto Station was, and pointed it out to us!<br />
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So, we get to the studio, go in and sing out, "Konnichiwa!" Only to realize that we were a full 20 minutes early, eek! The owner and his mum live above the studio and I know we caught them unawares and unready for us. But they were delightful and welcoming and the lesson began.<br />
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The hardest part for me was choosing a design, Greg had already picked out from the samples on their webpage what he wanted to do, a tiger. Me? I faffed about between a boat, Mt. Fuji, some adorable bunnies, flowers and then I saw the dragons, and settled.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UIiQP46dssMURCie_HuCAToVhcvl57t5mW9RH9VBTyw-TG5EonjC5u4oJsThzC9bJR1WtKMVotEhv2SOyi9ij8CZ39GxCSKQzuglB7jOyAAtB_eGXUorAETYgcPaOPTyg4QiAfJ1B_8/s1600/chose.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UIiQP46dssMURCie_HuCAToVhcvl57t5mW9RH9VBTyw-TG5EonjC5u4oJsThzC9bJR1WtKMVotEhv2SOyi9ij8CZ39GxCSKQzuglB7jOyAAtB_eGXUorAETYgcPaOPTyg4QiAfJ1B_8/s320/chose.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
They gave us a practice piece of fabric and explained how to do the outlines and shading using simple English phrases, "one, two, three" "here, here, here". But even with minimal English and our nearly non-existent Japanese we managed to understand each other.<br />
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And the painting began! The design is lit from beneath by a light under a glass top, then a piece of wax paper is put over the design and then the fabric. Pick up the brush, dip it in the hot wax and begin to trace over the design. It took longer than we thought to outline the projects and then go back over areas for shading. I heard a lot of "koko" while Mum pointed at various spots on my cloth. Turns out "koko" means here or this place. Mum took pity upon Greg a few times and took his brush and helped him out on the tricky bits of the tiger. That tiger was super tricky and had loads of bits and spots to outline and shade and whew!! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkPVUgKTwrzyrQ8XDXLQOm6i_F9PyEM4awzh92TyHsudo6Plq_pdQgU1AAjMA6lybiu0zs_QkpE1H_gHMb9Vmdkx2rz-Ql3rfUR32RblTMqO6VP15oAe4n5M_04AARj2HxKZY_t7FpLQ/s1600/koko.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkPVUgKTwrzyrQ8XDXLQOm6i_F9PyEM4awzh92TyHsudo6Plq_pdQgU1AAjMA6lybiu0zs_QkpE1H_gHMb9Vmdkx2rz-Ql3rfUR32RblTMqO6VP15oAe4n5M_04AARj2HxKZY_t7FpLQ/s320/koko.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Just when we thought we were done, Mum comes back and turns out cloth pieces over and again points out, "one, two, three, koko". So we paint some more and more and finally this time for real we are done. Then Son comes in and leads us to the other part of the studio giving us rubber boots and aprons and gloves with sleeve protectors. Son dips the clothes into clear cold water and then opens a box that has a very interesting blue top on, and then he picks up a stirring stick and sploosh it wasn't a box but a deep vat of blue dye! We were amazed. So in go our masterpieces, Son hands me the "stick that floats" and tells me to stir, "slow, slow" for 10 minutes. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ7hlEEdLzCNDtjOWQv37JMPEJqbHfoNM00i3WqlDTefy3_LZkgSxv7sddn1XeMx3J1GXxN-8Kt34gdeVfgcYUaHWQj1qYbfVQo_-aZQo9fU6IngLAUTVmO5DceaU7WbYjO888RUCjvc/s1600/slow+slow.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ7hlEEdLzCNDtjOWQv37JMPEJqbHfoNM00i3WqlDTefy3_LZkgSxv7sddn1XeMx3J1GXxN-8Kt34gdeVfgcYUaHWQj1qYbfVQo_-aZQo9fU6IngLAUTVmO5DceaU7WbYjO888RUCjvc/s320/slow+slow.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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After the 10 minutes are up he pulls them out of the dye, and puts them in a pot of boiling water, and stirs for a few minutes, and then into a pot of boiling soapy water. Son pulls them out, lets them dry for a few minutes and then we iron them dry. We were amazed at our artwork.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSiY8IiuI6LU3VcSjx_sOJIp0CGFKB7SNaWXPNfJzOezJkji9YfW9T2iKamLknmh2-ki1raVwyDNkqp9rcegLN9lOfjvGh5k5HdZNDO7toEFwkS8pi5VxJpNsUukOaSVs3qRHhBpKLJ0/s1600/done.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSiY8IiuI6LU3VcSjx_sOJIp0CGFKB7SNaWXPNfJzOezJkji9YfW9T2iKamLknmh2-ki1raVwyDNkqp9rcegLN9lOfjvGh5k5HdZNDO7toEFwkS8pi5VxJpNsUukOaSVs3qRHhBpKLJ0/s640/done.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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On the strength of our dyeing success I decided to try weaving. Greg didn't want to, but was happy to tag along. Nishijin neighborhood traditionally housed the weavers that clothed the royal court, the courtiers and noblemen. When Tokugawa moved the capital to what is now Tokyo the area shrank and many of them packed up and followed the court. But enough of them stayed and through the ages they modernized their equipment and the weaving continued. At the Nishijin Textile Center you can see a 10 minute kimono fashion show,<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WtohIhtgQpoZvTfipF6D8NjZxN-zYYe7RLecptj-Bjfc7IcgJd82SDabMWafuJ50Q5NKMicmjXPSSK-TwWpmpr-sy0K5jbxFaFSdvJgnbm-kjZrAuIxqxBorFubFZRZcPxcqHr12hPs/s1600/IMG_4982.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WtohIhtgQpoZvTfipF6D8NjZxN-zYYe7RLecptj-Bjfc7IcgJd82SDabMWafuJ50Q5NKMicmjXPSSK-TwWpmpr-sy0K5jbxFaFSdvJgnbm-kjZrAuIxqxBorFubFZRZcPxcqHr12hPs/s320/IMG_4982.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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look at unbelievable pieces of woven fabric that we weren't allowed to take photos of, damn it! And two shopping areas, one featuring silk ties of the most amazing beauty, and many silk items for women, at prices to enormous to believe. A wee coin purse for 300! One floor up were items more within our price point and the weaving studio.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BP3DhWgczyy1MWzRm6LW0EYcHTbn_JGkXSoIzO9wEKsTFvTBPaffNKUvqh2rA_5S_yqV6y-eu6H2kaCuKdqcegV6VlICVYqEh-LjYsMvPKu2wWjU1AQMCIyyBpE6sWW_NwpLnSwvP4c/s1600/IMG_4968+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BP3DhWgczyy1MWzRm6LW0EYcHTbn_JGkXSoIzO9wEKsTFvTBPaffNKUvqh2rA_5S_yqV6y-eu6H2kaCuKdqcegV6VlICVYqEh-LjYsMvPKu2wWjU1AQMCIyyBpE6sWW_NwpLnSwvP4c/s320/IMG_4968+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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I was the only one taking the class that day, and its on the edge of the sales floor, so when folks browse the merchandise they can stop and watch the students. Shoes off to work the pedals and the shuttle was firmly placed into my right hand, a pat on my right knee and class began. There are 900, 582.6 things to do at once! Hold the shuttle like this, pull out this amount of yarn, place your thumb over the hole where the exits the shuttle, jerk the shuttle like this, pull the beater handtree three times this hard. Switch hands and feet and attempt to repeat all previous steps. Suddenly, I had a new teacher and she had me "unweave" most of what I had done, and walked me through the steps again, and again and again, until finally it slowly began sinking in. Two hours later I had made a 100% Japanese silk scarf. And I was exhausted, rather than sitting on me bum for 2 straight hours it felt as if I had climbed a mountain! Who knew weaving was that much of a work out?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HUryflObBaOFZq-3Fc92S3cPL5QtBfemlYRH9rW5hncWb60xmb-sqR1_iqs19TSuyMVGt4nWXZ5Kt1vsVWgDB63Upskw77bXhssGIiBPXDbSx6DAegpfKCvH_7WKIVwgCHWESi5EPyA/s1600/IMG_4959.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HUryflObBaOFZq-3Fc92S3cPL5QtBfemlYRH9rW5hncWb60xmb-sqR1_iqs19TSuyMVGt4nWXZ5Kt1vsVWgDB63Upskw77bXhssGIiBPXDbSx6DAegpfKCvH_7WKIVwgCHWESi5EPyA/s320/IMG_4959.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Now I was so focused upon trying to remember all the many steps and get a product that made Sensei happy I turned off my attention to what was going on around me. Turns out that I was quite the center of attention! One fella even moved the bamboo divider to come stand behind me so his family could get a photo of him with me weaving! Sensei chased him out from behind the divider with a flea in his ear! But even with him being shooed from the loom area and into the watching area, many people asked Greg if they could snap my picture. I guess seeing someone weave is amazing? No clue. <br />
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The finished scarf<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufGWBExrKw5CDugfFhjn00KBmjmdoStAXCT69-8DdCC5hsN96FxVtFSLpSNQSKE2uAhgVvLvt1roKlcqDyCgq-vb0yZgnLVdN_MPWPfkNwZEJD-DisMirUogMpZj3jQ24UAz6QD3OJoY/s1600/scarf.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufGWBExrKw5CDugfFhjn00KBmjmdoStAXCT69-8DdCC5hsN96FxVtFSLpSNQSKE2uAhgVvLvt1roKlcqDyCgq-vb0yZgnLVdN_MPWPfkNwZEJD-DisMirUogMpZj3jQ24UAz6QD3OJoY/s320/scarf.JPG" width="240" /></a>Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-83711050417540386512016-10-11T17:12:00.000-07:002016-10-11T17:12:32.901-07:00To-ji Temple<a href="http://www.toji.or.jp/en/inside/index.html" target="_blank">To-ji</a> means East Temple, there used to be Sai-ji, West Temple, but for various reasons it was abandoned and torn down around 400 years ago. To-ji was built in 796 two years after the Imperial family moved the capital from Nara to Kyoto. The city was built on the Chinese plan, with the streets laid out in a grid pattern and oriented to the 4 cardinal directions. This wasn't a city built for defense, but for showcasing beauty and harmony.<br />
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All of the buildings at To-ji have been rebuilt numerous times due to fires. The pagoda was last rebuilt in 1644 by the Third Tokugawa Shogun. Due to the building methods for pagodas, they are impossible to knock over in earthquakes. When the Kobe earthquake leveled large buildings and smaller apartment buildings all of the 3 story pagodas remained standing. Here is a very i<a href="http://web-japan.org/nipponia/nipponia33/en/topic/">nteresting link</a> explaining why they won't fall down. However, like anything built out of wood, especially very old wood they are extremely susceptible to fire. So everywhere you see signs about no smoking, and stacks of water filled buckets. The stand in the back is for umbrellas.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcgGJ6fYibLdtk_S3kJCEW4duXe-2-t81pjikHrGtHER6PNJsnz4NdNup7GTQT5Jkame0nTtQydu_a-_f_HIR9KB_sbbBHJGElxzgtly-nt4wt1e6FO19JxRLuUhYUbDLuF4umsFiFwA/s1600/IMG_4928.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcgGJ6fYibLdtk_S3kJCEW4duXe-2-t81pjikHrGtHER6PNJsnz4NdNup7GTQT5Jkame0nTtQydu_a-_f_HIR9KB_sbbBHJGElxzgtly-nt4wt1e6FO19JxRLuUhYUbDLuF4umsFiFwA/s320/IMG_4928.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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What makes To-ji remarkable is that Kondo Hall houses Buddhist treasures of great worth, both monetary and emotionally to the followers of Shingon Buddhism.<br />
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To-ji is a living breathing temple, with many people praying at the various shrines within the grounds. And because of this, no photography is allowed in two halls, and signs reminding visitors to be quiet and respectful of worshipers. I've never wanted to break a "no photographs" rule so bad in my life. The statue of the Medicine Buddha was amazing. But after a quick look at Google, turns out some people aren't so respectful, so I've grabbed a photo for you.<br />
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At night the pagoda is lit with yellow lights, something we'd like to take the time to go see. It looks as if it's carved out of solid gold.<br />
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Kobo Daishi was the monk who brought Shigon Buddhism to Japan and he is a highly revered figure in Japan's Buddhist community. Legend has it he died on the 21st of the month and his life is celebrated each month on the 21st with Mideo being opened and prayers offered. And where there are pilgrims can merchants be far behind? So, there is a huge flea market that operates once a month. If we go, we'll be sure to post pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLrj0JheJ4zpXoBHExaOjx84t0xAmUIeqD2BDffWJLIdDr5NFQDSVv3VK5rlLWckskl_6n0Q4wuSjFLMThf6VUPGyO9eLwekv_k5QUV4MkhyyDVZNO-2MREQapV5OmIgdKYI8LDgAE2Y/s1600/DSC_6242.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLrj0JheJ4zpXoBHExaOjx84t0xAmUIeqD2BDffWJLIdDr5NFQDSVv3VK5rlLWckskl_6n0Q4wuSjFLMThf6VUPGyO9eLwekv_k5QUV4MkhyyDVZNO-2MREQapV5OmIgdKYI8LDgAE2Y/s640/DSC_6242.jpg" width="640" /></a>Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-68222021267571354582016-10-10T23:14:00.002-07:002016-10-10T23:14:41.142-07:00Nijo-joSorry about the long delay on posting, but after a busy day of sight seeing and cooking and cleaning up supper, we have been falling into bed and sound asleep by no later than 9pm! Today is a rest day, so ta-dah! posts!<br />
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Japan has the oldest continuous monarchy in the world, with 125 Emperors stretching back to 660BC. Their rule has at time been purely ceremonial with most of their interest focused upon being the head of the Shinto religion, to periods where they were battlefield leaders. <br />
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In the Heian period (794-1185) saw the first rise of the Shoguns which were military commanders to fight the Emishi, a tribe of people in the North of Honshu and Hokkaido. When the Emishi were conquered the shoguns faded into the pages of history. But in Kamakura period, [1192-1333] the monarchy became weak allowing two powerful families to grab enough power to spike wars that ebbed and flowed across Japan. Which were only brought to a end when the Tokugawa clan seized total power of the country and moved the capital from Kyoto to modern Tokyo, starting the beginning of the peaceful Edo period.<br />
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Nijo-jo was built in Kyoto as a home to the Tokugawa clan, where the Emperor resided and was still respected as a divine ruler and head of the Shinto religion. As befitting the supreme family of Japan, Nijo-jo was bedecked with gold leaf, paintings by masters and gardens framed by the shoji doors for those within the inner areas of the castle. <br />
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This is the main inner gate, leading to the Shogun's palace.<br />
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and details of the magnificent carvings<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgruwvIBLUtE7x58syIVYn4N39tGdfbabZL7ie9Nvebj6oXECwDKC3JpUACuL8STrMpWJXv23vgOgDvu2XeuQxEFj899ej2DOM_4DWgJXZB-RwSPzeUSiut2pyyvVzXaBDH8n-E-59Hg/s1600/detail+of+gate.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgruwvIBLUtE7x58syIVYn4N39tGdfbabZL7ie9Nvebj6oXECwDKC3JpUACuL8STrMpWJXv23vgOgDvu2XeuQxEFj899ej2DOM_4DWgJXZB-RwSPzeUSiut2pyyvVzXaBDH8n-E-59Hg/s400/detail+of+gate.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
and closer yet...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2f0uq6RKUCXz-KgfMFVhdLJRIusRWvmgRTpBIn2ZdTA3WEi_xJyCesvQ4UBrsnXjB-TqrR4EmbdUASRylE-34Zr3_chAmr69ON-xsJXGfEpTw5ecfUqyIFsEGmQzdtzVREF_GdemQks/s1600/closer+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2f0uq6RKUCXz-KgfMFVhdLJRIusRWvmgRTpBIn2ZdTA3WEi_xJyCesvQ4UBrsnXjB-TqrR4EmbdUASRylE-34Zr3_chAmr69ON-xsJXGfEpTw5ecfUqyIFsEGmQzdtzVREF_GdemQks/s640/closer+detail.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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and just to remind you, as if that were possible to forget, the power the Tokugawa's wielded, they decorated the bottom of the gate posts.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGeHeQDlelk2QNh5zswyYISO9EVFORxnqTtK0wNd1aX6IWdi4ymIejQTxVnmMA7REjf7Q6t19Pwo8HbJRJuk-RxGkvWopKBvx8You9JhZy1NFmV0wxHwIjc0EHuoiaudd5EKKoHvV1kw/s1600/gate+post+detail.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGeHeQDlelk2QNh5zswyYISO9EVFORxnqTtK0wNd1aX6IWdi4ymIejQTxVnmMA7REjf7Q6t19Pwo8HbJRJuk-RxGkvWopKBvx8You9JhZy1NFmV0wxHwIjc0EHuoiaudd5EKKoHvV1kw/s400/gate+post+detail.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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I have no idea where these bells were originally housed, but there are two of them, and to show their size, here's Greg with a demonstration.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uf6SQEyKOxjO_VcOVPRYaE2TMvfARmJjx0WriyczJuZakqoSW4GPRsk1UwqINSLEmt-rELeT1zhxMOoSEoUuzVgPsxxUeqtVAqLKSboi2DR9CSt7s8RV0s4j1HGBHHY818y94saTQfA/s1600/greg%253Abell.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uf6SQEyKOxjO_VcOVPRYaE2TMvfARmJjx0WriyczJuZakqoSW4GPRsk1UwqINSLEmt-rELeT1zhxMOoSEoUuzVgPsxxUeqtVAqLKSboi2DR9CSt7s8RV0s4j1HGBHHY818y94saTQfA/s400/greg%253Abell.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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Part of the gardens through yet again another gate.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkIGK-Zyr2u3P-yzdpTrF47dE4aQVfGxS3_5nwwvU6NZ2pcLyKEebwg_a6VLVWNQDEiR221dv5t8V1Uftii3kImDS0YbfHh9JMu_vVrDNwF2Ht9cHrcSzPK3ER0fwJjgo1A_hfCXax80/s1600/tree+and+gate.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkIGK-Zyr2u3P-yzdpTrF47dE4aQVfGxS3_5nwwvU6NZ2pcLyKEebwg_a6VLVWNQDEiR221dv5t8V1Uftii3kImDS0YbfHh9JMu_vVrDNwF2Ht9cHrcSzPK3ER0fwJjgo1A_hfCXax80/s640/tree+and+gate.jpg" width="640" /> </a><br />
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The gardens were calm and peaceful and a joy to experience. However due to the increasing clouds the day became grayer and really dulled the colors down. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiTPII0qIhURrEX7i_E4tDlkg7YY50EBSXPW5xe1terSnYLWE7fNCiodGmqCWQ6aaS7BIQGySPg1DmfyfLUGm7uGMHFXaSsnSdnZdIvakVCDVdghf7NBUCi5da_5_4JCUQMOMgwe2QYQ/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiTPII0qIhURrEX7i_E4tDlkg7YY50EBSXPW5xe1terSnYLWE7fNCiodGmqCWQ6aaS7BIQGySPg1DmfyfLUGm7uGMHFXaSsnSdnZdIvakVCDVdghf7NBUCi5da_5_4JCUQMOMgwe2QYQ/s640/garden.jpg" width="640" /> </a><br />
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A detail of the main outer gate.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq7ja8wcQBwt6wNACuRmKTkSFrl6vRymggdBqT_eV4vUfgz0YmfkTBA7EDZDLguSbyvfWua_3gNnGkvVhMG2-JMh4vPrlk0H2Z-O8Gwelmgwca1xSoIRE1eqNlEHh5TIpltb1BZZJBtE/s1600/Nijo-jo+gate.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq7ja8wcQBwt6wNACuRmKTkSFrl6vRymggdBqT_eV4vUfgz0YmfkTBA7EDZDLguSbyvfWua_3gNnGkvVhMG2-JMh4vPrlk0H2Z-O8Gwelmgwca1xSoIRE1eqNlEHh5TIpltb1BZZJBtE/s640/Nijo-jo+gate.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
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And the view of the moat and from the ruined top of one of the towers.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIBEGKBeW6s3ro3eUB5h6hZNbc52lBn8oTNPPJQ-GTOGQ4NMMxj8OZSxC3Q78PHrPG1X3cLdP0dS8FaUj589usigJcgu-YFqwuufF6kR6GtIYr7Bb4qm6zZid0XzSQ9dJagUNUYNYdMs/s1600/moat.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIBEGKBeW6s3ro3eUB5h6hZNbc52lBn8oTNPPJQ-GTOGQ4NMMxj8OZSxC3Q78PHrPG1X3cLdP0dS8FaUj589usigJcgu-YFqwuufF6kR6GtIYr7Bb4qm6zZid0XzSQ9dJagUNUYNYdMs/s640/moat.jpg" width="640" /> </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BMxkvsNKaXVICW_jIuV-8N4EB_a_4TNE5_bSrjOk5BmSTtdllaO1_2d11kwNp1q6dcunuCz-hUwpkmbRvqQo2ODK1L6tawsYMvi2euOC_PWuP3G6TQhAlrTWcxgOdUEK98DOK44tYBY/s1600/DSC_6057.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BMxkvsNKaXVICW_jIuV-8N4EB_a_4TNE5_bSrjOk5BmSTtdllaO1_2d11kwNp1q6dcunuCz-hUwpkmbRvqQo2ODK1L6tawsYMvi2euOC_PWuP3G6TQhAlrTWcxgOdUEK98DOK44tYBY/s640/DSC_6057.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The Imperial Palace. When Emperor Meiji was given the power of the throne back from Tokugawa, he had his artisans go around and knock off all of their clan insignia, and replaced them with the chrysanthemum insignia of the monarchy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36iLTYnf8a5j-5IBG2Ebrtd90lieEvBG69HOZWr1JLeoz29Yx-oUiviKsCGqfUMuykgOAVDx_8d8H4IUb-H1OZFQJQQo6mlNsHZylMvnnuAAT2ZFOnwc5qEs0raGk2eSMwdMpd-EAEEE/s1600/imperial+palace.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36iLTYnf8a5j-5IBG2Ebrtd90lieEvBG69HOZWr1JLeoz29Yx-oUiviKsCGqfUMuykgOAVDx_8d8H4IUb-H1OZFQJQQo6mlNsHZylMvnnuAAT2ZFOnwc5qEs0raGk2eSMwdMpd-EAEEE/s640/imperial+palace.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-48964683753873138022016-10-08T02:56:00.000-07:002016-10-08T02:56:44.752-07:00Our Japanese ApartmentIf you've read Japanese manga or watched anime, this hallway view will look familiar.<br />
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Upon entering all Japanese homes or schools, shrines street shoes come off. There is always a clear division between outside and inside. <br />
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Toilets are a marvel, one thing I'd dearly love to take home with me. The seats are heated, a bidet is built in and as you can see, a sink to wash your hands that fills the tank for the next flush!<br />
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The kitchen is teeny tiny. But it is workable.<br />
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The bathroom sink, with an flexible faucet.<br />
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Washer!<br />
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The shower/bath area. The rule for Japanese bathing is to NEVER get into the bathtub dirty, one can either take a shower, or sit on the stool lowering the shower hose and wash off using a washing pan and cloth, then a quick rinse and pop into the bath for a long hot soak. The interesting thing is that the tub drains into the floor drain.<br />
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And the living area.<br />
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<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-84098854276139952232016-10-05T05:06:00.000-07:002016-10-05T05:06:56.431-07:00Planes, trains and busesI had hoped to post pictures tonight, however we somehow managed to lose the download cord for the camera. Hopefully tomorrow we can locate a cord and begin posting some of Greg's fantastic photos.<br />
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When we landed at KIX (Kansai International Airport we followed the stream of people to customs. Is it just me, or are all customs fellas grumpy? We picked up our luggage, took the escalator up to the second floor, walked across the sky bridge and we were in the hotel! Talk about convenient! After getting checked in and dropping our luggage off, it was dinner time! Besides the hotel being extremely convenient the main reason I booked this hotel is they have an allergy menu. And while dinner was only one choice, a small steak and veggies, it was a safe and delicious meal.<br />
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There was a bit of a worry when we booked this hotel about noise level within the hotel. We could watch planes take off, the only sound we heard was a very low sound, that if we hadn't paid attention it would have been missed. After a great nights rest and a fabulous breakfast, that was buffet with allergy cards attached to each dish, it was time to round up the luggage and head off to the train to Kyoto. We rode the elevator down to the 2nd floor, back across the sky bridge, into the airport where Ta-Dah! the train station! <br />
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Osaka and Kyoto through the centuries have mostly grown together, so its continuous town for the 75 minute train ride. There was one area that was very rural, with many small vegetable and rice fields. <br />
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Getting off the train at Kyoto station we were gobsmacked. Where to go? What to do? Deciding that untangling the bus system we would take a taxi up to our Otsu house for the next 30 days. Standing in a very long queue for a taxi, Greg noticed a lovely adorable sign, "Foreign Friendly Taxi". OH!!! Quick time step we pulled our suitcases over to the sign and ba-zing! Here comes a taxi! We showed him the map and the address, he stowed our luggage and off we went. The road snaked it's way up Mount Hiei, with hairpin turns, narrow roads and luscious scenery. <br />
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We pulled into our home and excitedly unlocked the door, once we figured out the door pulls out rather than in.... Only to be met with a face full of musty air. Hoping that the house had just been shut up a while, we ran around opening all the doors and windows and I made us lunch. But as the clocked tick tocked an hour, we both began to lose our voices and my face began to swell up. This house was not a healthy place for us. We rode the bus down the mountain and found a Starbucks to locate a hotel for the night. After checking in, poor hubby had to grab a taxi and ride back up the mountain with a driver who spoke zero English. That round trip ride to collect our belongings cost us $78.00 USD. The hotel was ok, but they refused to even attempt to feed me and the room was only for that night.<br />
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October and November are busy months for tourism in Kyoto. People come from all over Japan to enjoy the fall foliage, so far the colors are only hints in random trees. When they do turn it should be amazing. The hotel rooms are higher priced than in slower periods and everything is booked solid. <br />
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Just when I was giving up hope, we found a dream of a place with an owner that is 24 karat, diamond studded kind and generous. Learning that we had food and a few odds and ends left up at the moldy house, she had her Jack of all Trades drive us back in HER car, for FREE. Refusing money for gas or wear and tear. <br />
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The owner built this for apartments but after they were finished decided to turn them into hotel apartments. This is a common sized apartment with all Japanese fittings. I'll post the interesting features of the apartment tomorrow.<br />
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Oh, please feel free to leave a comment if you wish. We would love to hear your thoughts.<br />
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<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-21366112399500120482016-10-01T10:22:00.001-07:002016-10-01T10:22:15.021-07:004:44 amDamn! I woke up at 4:44 this morning. Wide awake and pumped full of excitement! It was just like I remember Christmas mornings as a kid, eager to get downstairs and rip into those delicious gifts!<br />
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I betcha some one is going to be very tired later on.....<br />
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Next time we post, it will be from Japan!!!!!!!<br />
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<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-5429277450943605132016-09-30T23:25:00.000-07:002016-09-30T23:25:18.382-07:00Good-bye Alaska! Hello Hawaii!Good-bye Alaska, you will be missed. Well, except for your weather which is slipping slowly into winter. <br />
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Howdy Hawaii! The trade winds are blowing and the air smells fresh and sweet and oh my its nice and warm. Our first breath of the Hawaiian air was a big shock. Not only is it lovely warm soft air, it was filled to the brim with humidity. <br />
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We took a taxi to have dinner, and walked back. The restaurant was in a huge pricey mall, filled with stores I've only heard of never seen, like Harry Winston and Tiffany's. The green space was woven into and around the mall and it was lit with dozens of lanterns in the giant trees.<br />
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The sidewalks around 10 pm are packed with shoppers and people coming from restaurants and off to the bars. I've never seen so many people out and about that late at night. I found it invigorating but Greg hated being bumped into and being surrounded by clouds of folks. <br />
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The view from our lanai.<br />
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I was looking forward to walking a few of the parks and beaches here at
Waikiki, however my traitorous body decided to fall head long into the
cold I've been fighting. Tiny tot granddaughter might be adorable but
she carried a mighty cold virus. So, today was spent sleeping and
reading, trying to give my body a rest before the big push. It seems to
have worked, I'm feeling better. <br />
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Every single Friday night Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki puts on a 10 minute firework display. Luckily we could see them from our wee lanai. It's like a mini 4th of July every Friday!<br />
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<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523183251112131902.post-20722914071703937332016-09-24T20:13:00.001-07:002016-09-24T20:13:23.362-07:00Beginnings, Wherein we find out what makes us tick......What started as nothing more than a pipe dream and a big idea has become reality. In six days, SIX DAYS! we are on our way to a dream vacation to Japan! <br />
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Last spring we were sitting on our lanai in Kona Hawaii for our anniversary when the idea of traveling the world tip toed into my head. Rushing for a pen and paper and my phone's calculator I began crunching numbers....car and truck payments, insurance for both and life....phone bill...storage units.....COBRA insurance and....a few small credit card payments....hmmm.....hmmm. Holy Hanover Hampsters that is all we owe!?! Without a house payment nor an apartment rent and the bills that come with residences we could afford to travel, something I've been wanting to do since as long as I can remember. Reading Mary Mapes Dodge's book, "Hans Brinker" made me yearn to visit Holland, Jack London's "Call of the Wild" made me want to visit Alaska, it was a dream come true after reading Jack London's stories and Robert Service's poems to be able to live in Alaska. Looking across a valley at thickly forested hills which climbed into rugged mountain ranges and the words of "The Cremation of Sam McGee" would echo in my head,<br />
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<em>There are strange things done in the midnight sun</em> </div>
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<em>By the men who moil for gold;</em> </div>
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<em>The Arctic trails have their secret tales</em> </div>
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<em>That would make your blood run cold;</em> </div>
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<em>The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,</em> </div>
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<em>But the queerest they ever did see</em> </div>
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<em>Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge</em> </div>
<em>I cremated Sam McGee.</em></blockquote>
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I "traveled" the world thru the pages of books always hoping that some day my travels wouldn't be of the paper sort but in actuality. Watching jets fly overhead would bring dreams and wonder about where they were headed. My Uncle Choo-choo used to take me out to the airport and we would wander around looking at the gate destinations, bringing thoughts of travel to places that for us was nothing more than a pipe dream. <br />
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TH [the husband] grew up reading animal stories, one of his favorites being the "True Life Adventures by Disney" that were printed in the newspaper. Does anyone remember these?<br />
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He devoured tales of mountain men, the hunters and trappers who explored the American West. Stories about Native Americans and their traditions and skills. When his family moved to Alaska in 1964 he was beyond excited when they crossed the border from Canada, he instantly felt a bone deep sense of home. He dove into the Alaskan lifestyle with both Keds, hunting and trapping, fishing and camping, and exploring as far as his bike and feet would carry him. <br />
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In elementary school he began a love affair with Judo that carried him nearly to the Junior Nationals, but due to timing and a birthday that dream wasn't to be. Judo at this time was taught to respect not only your sensei [teacher] but also the traditions handed down from one master sensei to another. He came to love the Japanese culture and their traditions.<br />
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This trip is a dream come true for both of us. We leave Fairbanks on the 29th of September to spend a few days in Oahu to recharge from jet-lag and then the push off to Osaka Japan on the October1st. We spend the night at a hotel at the Kansai airport and then catch the train to Kyoto for the next 4 weeks. Then its off to a Yokohama for the next part of our trip. November 6th finds us back at a hotel in Kansai and on the 7th we fly back to the U.S. to Los Angeles.<br />
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As we travel around and about hopefully we can keep the blog current with pictures and tales of braving buses [a particular fear of mine!], temples, ancient dojo's, and maybe if we are lucky we will be able to snap off a picture of a maiko geisha headed off to work in Kyoto. <br />
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<br />Gilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12852208437200788511noreply@blogger.com5