It is Obon season, Buddhist ceremony season.
I decided to spend my Obon in traditional way this year.
I met my parents at the Tourist Information Center Tokyo, Tokyo Station Nihonbashi Exit.
We can get information on sightseeing places.
We took a Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto.
I had brunch on Shinkansen.
The scenery from window is nice; rice field is so green!
We arrived Kyoto Station…
But early for hotel check-in.
We took a break at Cafe Koto and I shared a strawberry shave ice with Mom.
Our hotel, the Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto, is nicely located in front of Kyoto Station.
And they served us a welcome peach shave ice – another shave ice for a day! hahaha
The famous Kyoto Tower is just few buildings away.
All of us have been to Kyoto many times, but none of us went up to the observation floor.
It’s 131 m high; it’s not tall, but we can see a whole Kyoto.
Shinkansen left for Osaka; and Shinkansen is long because there are 16 coaches!
We can spot the famous Sanjusangendo and Kiyomizu Dera.
We can overlook the Higashi Honganji (East Honganji)
Nishi Honganji (West Honganji: there is West so there should be East)
Toji (To Temple: East Temple)
At the bottom of Kyoto Tower, we had Sushi for snacks.
After adventuring in the area, we departed Hotel for Nara.
On the way to Nara, I continued sightseeing.
This is Fushimi Momoyama Jo (Fushimi Momoyama Castle) which was built in 1592.
This tea field is Uji Cha (Uji Tea) field: Kyoto specialized tea field.
I took a photo from a moving bus so image is not clear.
We can tell this tea field is for Uji Tea because farmers cover it with black plastic sheet to produce Uji Tea.
We entered Nara and passed the original Todaiji Uramon (Todai Temple’s back gate) which is old as early 8th century.
First, we had dinner at Tenpyo Club in Nara before the night event.
After dinner, we quickly stopped by at Kikuichi Cutlery to buy souvenirs.
This shop is famous for Japanese knives and swords, but also sells local confectioneries and local specialties.
Local deers know this shop is nice!
This place is full of deers and they act like they are LOCALs! hahaha
Then we walked to Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Main Shrine) for Mandoe (Buddhist Lantern Festival): one of our tonight’s events.
We went to Tobihino (field) to watch Daimonjiyaki, fired letter 大 (dai) which means Large.
It started to rain again; don’t erase the letter!
Then, we walked to Todaiji (Todai Temple); the last event of the day.
This is Nandai Mon (Nandai Gate) of Todaiji, guarded by A-Un (A & Un).
Todaiji looks mysterious in rain.
Look closely; the window is opened tonight.
We can see Buddha’s face.
This is Japan’s largest Buddha.
I feel calm by looking at him and I won’t get board looking at him…
At Todaiji, I tried to bring more luck by getting through a pillar.
I managed it so I’m blessed! Yeah!!!
It was so romantic to spend late evening at Todaiji and pray!
sonokotchi 