Temple Stay & Morning Pray at Koyasan <2009.11.27>

On the way back to Tokyo we made a stop below Osaka – the World Heritage site Koyasan.



Koyasan is a Buddhist Center located on a mountain with several hundred temples. Most of these temples today are offering home stay where you can overnight like in a Ryokan and join the morning pray in the adjoined temple hall.








We spent the whole afternoon visiting the main shrines which are one of the most impressive I ever visit here in Japan.









In the oldest temple we had a green tea break where we enjoyed a great view of Japans biggest Zen stone garden.





Now it`s time to go to bed as we have to get up at 5 am for the morning pray…



Ommmmm

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Do You Remember the Name – Hiroshima <2009.11.26>

From Kyoto we took the Hikari Super Express down to Hiroshima. On this route the bullet train reaches its maximum speed of nearly 300km/h!



What tragic past lies on this city …
Hiroshima was the first city where an Atomic Bomb was dropped (1945) – More than 400.000 people died immediately or from the following diseases.
60 years later you hardly can imagine that everything in the city was destroyed. The main sight and only left over from this time is the A-Bomb dome – which stands in the middle of the peace memorial park today.







We visited the highly informative museum next by which gives you very interesting back ground stories how all this could happen.







For a quick snack Hiroshima is offering its typical Japanese grilled noodle omelet – the Okonomiyaki.



The remaining time we spend strolling to the park & rebuilt castle which is especially nice during autumn or cherry blossom.







Next day we visited Japans 3rd most beautiful natural scenery – the Island Miyajima, featuring the biggest Tori in Japan.









We arrived there early to have enough time to go up the mountain and hike along the temple track down on the other site of the island. A highlight is the monkeys living together with the deer in harmony.







It took us longer then we expected so it become already dark when we arrived at the main shrine. Our ferry was waiting to take over to the mainland leaving behind another great day on our trip.



Goodbye Hiroshima

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Hot Springs & Hot Sake @ Kurama Onsen <2009.11.24>

As the weather changes quickly in this season it`s good to have a plan B in case it`s raining the whole day. With upcoming clouds we decided to spend a day at northern tip of Kyoto – Kurama – famous for its hot springs.




But there is more to do than just jumping into a hut barrel of water – it’s a nice place for hiking or enjoy typical mountain village atmosphere.



Here the Kurama & Yuki shrine holds every year a strange festival where incredible huge lantern where lit up and carried by half-naked men up to the main shrine – not to be missed ;-)







Still the highlight of today was the dip in the hot water at the famous Kuruma Onsen.



Our last day we visited the remaining temples in the center & upper north famous for dry stone gardens and the ancient Zijo Castle.







Goodbye Samurai

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West Side Story – Arashiyama <2009.11.23>

No Japanese breakfast is complete without a cup of fermented soy beans – the NATTO.



It tastes like blue cheese and smells even worst … there are only two possibilities: You love it or hate it! And after a certain time in Japan (>5years) your brain switches automatically over and you get addicted to it. I believe your body tries to survive somehow ;-)

After the healthy breakfast we are ready to conquer the west part of Kyoto – Arashiyama. A city in size itself its better to rent a bicycle to cover the outer temples too.



Arashiyama is famous for huge gardens, bamboo fields and mountain scenery – thus often used as show ground for traditional Japanese movies.









We enjoyed here a perfect sunny mid-autumn day under green-yellow-red leaves and blue sky with a cup of shiny green Macha-Tea served by white faced maikos.

Von West Side Story - Arashiyama

Color Me Blind

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The biggest Wood Building on Earth @ Nara <2009.11.21>

Just 1hr south of Kyoto is Nara which features the world biggest wooden building which makes it an easy day trip from Kyoto.



But first we stopped at the main shrine of the Fushima sect which you can clearly differentiate by the red Tori (huge wooden gates). Especially this one, has a round walk over the holy mountain of 5km endless red Toris.







We were lucky as today is a shrine festival where 2.000kg shrines – so called Mitsukoshi – are lifted along the temple grounds showing off the power of local men.







Around lunch time we arrived at the world heritage site the Nara Park. Welcomed by the cute fluffy furry locals – no not the people, the deers ;-)







Here is the biggest wooden building which is a reconstruction of the once 1.5times even bigger original! Today you find Japans biggest Buddha statue and some other huge wood sculptures which survived the past fires.









Right now is also the time of the 3-5-7 festival, where 3-5 or 7year old kids are dressed up and brought to the family temple for better fortune – the little ones so cute.










Paparazzi

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