Play it again, Sam

[rkold]

And one more post sharing Japan pictures. I'd been to Nara once before, but it had been after spending a good portion of the day in Fushimi Inari so I'd been somewhat tired and we'd only gone to see some of the sights. I was also a little more willing to spend money to go inside temples in my sad desperate need to collect temple/shrine signatures. lol For those who don't know what I am talking about, at temples and shrines for around 1000 yen one can buy a small book which for usually around 300 yen you can have many temples and shrines sign their names in calligraphy. I'd not have known about it if not for muscatlove and yanchamonkey. Unfortunately, since I didn't have this book until my March 07 trip, I've been trying to re-visit some of the temples and shrines I'd been to before, as well as new ones to fill it up. It's a bit like sketch books which I am slowly filling with original sketches by doujinshika.



Since this time I was coming from Osaka I took the Yamatoji line, which for the record was much much easier than getting to Nara from Kyoto. I know the Keihan Station is more convenient, but JR was free!

Of all the places I visited, Nara was the most packed with tourists and had the most foreigners. The majority of which were British or Australian.




While I did not, of course someone did. I'd read some interesting information about bells the earlier day in Uji


The 3-storied pagoda




I think this is Kofuku-ji


Small child vs. deer lol


The 5 storied pagoda (I love these easy to remember names XD; )


Even deer like art museums


Nara


This was a small Shinto shrine across from the Art Museum. I couldn't figure out its name








There were more tourists than deer, despite what this looks like lol


Entrance gate to Todai-ji


This was the rock garden at temple near Todai-ji, but I can't find its name now. It might have been a subtemple. While it was quite small and a costly 500 yen to enter, it was also extremely peaceful.


Amazingly cool dragons coiled on the roof




Todai-ji, the temple to see in Nara. From this angle you can barely see the crowds. lol




Other side


Trying to get this picture was night near impossible


A smaller closed off part of the temple


This deer wanted in


Yeah, the picture is dark, but it's the GIGANTIC Buddha in Todai-ji, one of the few temples that allows pictures inside




A small shrine I tried to visit near Todai-ji whose name I've forgotten


Kasuga Shrine






These building at Kasuga Jinja are supposed to be very old










I think this forest is also a UNESCO world heritage location called Kasugayama Primeval Forest


Stalker deer XD;


Turtles!





Friday, I spent the morning waiting for takyubin and then went to Osaka to do some shopping. Saturday involved packing and seeing some friends before catching an earlier train to Tokyo. I really liked the 2 new hotels I tried this trip, and found the bed at the last one particularly nice. *hearts* The flights back went surprisingly well after all my troubles getting to Japan. I had a few scares getting to the Nagoya airport, but since the airport is so small everything worked out.

Thank you everyone for viewing my pictures. :D

Next up on the travel itinerary, Utah!