Nara to Kyoto

Since we were in the ancient capital of Japan, Nara, the people in charge of our tour decided we should stay in a traditional Japanese inn. Below you see the tatami mats on the floor. At night futons are rolled out onto the tatami and you sleep right on the floor. I actually slept well and woke up refreshed.The inn also featured traditional Japanese baths. They fill up the tub below each night and you are supposed to bath communally. There were separate rooms for men and women. However, I just waited until the next morning to shower by myself. I have not completely drunk the Japanese kool-aid, if you know what I mean.
Since Nara is the center of Buddhism and Shinto in Japan. It is a very spiritual city. For example, long ago it was established that the deer in Nara are messengers of the gods. Thus, they have free run of the place. They lay about in the many parks of the city and cross the street whenever they feel like it, though few die each year from being hit by cars. You can buy deer food and little stands on the side of the road to feed them. If you say "bow," they will actually bow their heads before taking the little cake from you. However, they are just as likely to sneak up behind you and eat the paper bag out of your hand. This messenger below is obviously on his lunch break. I think they have a very strong union.
Before we left Nara, we visited one last temple, Horyu-Ji. This small complex below is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. People were worshiping at the main building the morning we were there. The 5 story pagoda (or stupa) in the background is the 2nd tallest in Japan. In Kyoto we will see the tallest.
Kyoto was just a short train ride away. It was rainy day, and slow driving showers followed us everywhere. Luckily, after we checked in to the hotel, the only place we toured was inside. Below is Sanjusangen-do, yet another Buddhist temple. This place claims to be the longest wooden building in th world. It needed to be. Even though we could not take pictures inside, I was blown away by the 1000 golden bodhisattvas in the long hall of the temple. This temple is also has the largest collection of such statues in the world. All these iron goddesses of mercy, as they are referred to in China, surround a much larger Buddha statue. It was a very serene and contemplative place.

Well, it was a rainy night Kyoto, and we wandered the streets. However, they are not great stories to tell or pictures to post. One more day in Kyoto tomorrow. and one day closer to going home.

Chuck Newell
Kyoto, Japan
10/22/08