Woke to a beautiful, delicate, and completely unexpected breakfast prepared by Chiaki. A particular surprise – given we had been commenting prior to our visit to Japan that AirBnB was mostly minus the second ‘B’. The breakfast B.
Not so here, a delectable multi-dish brekky on an exquisite array of little dishes. Served with delicious green tea. A highlight for both of us was a small rolled omelette delicately flavoured and cooked to perfection.
After brekky we followed directions down to the bus stop and caught the bus into the JR Nara station where we were to meet up with our first Nara Walk tour of the day.
A little tricky getting on the bus as our pre-purchased Pasmo passes did not work. Unlike Australia where we likely would have been arrested and thrown to the ground by transport inspectors, the driver merely took the right amount of change from the handful I offered and off we went.
We learned the system – take a ticket as you get on. Check the fare according to the number on the board above the driver and put the money and ticket in the box as you leave. Again unlike similar systems in Australia – change is given here!
We met up with our Nara Walk guide for the morning – Mamiko. 5 young people joined us and we began our Nara Classic Tour. First another bus ride to the park and temple area.
Mamiko was the perfect guide for our tour giving us history on the development of Shinto and Buddhism in Japan and showing us the way of acknowledging the gods. Stopping at times you encourage us to feel the spirits in the temple grounds.
We visited Kasuga Taisha 1000’s of lanterns donated by worshippers. 1000’s of large stone markers representing donors. And 1000’s of school children visiting the .
Shimenawa – straw rope and zig zag markers indicated sacredness – including for the top Samurai.
Along the walk we talked with Mamiko about the difference between Shrines (mainly Shinto) – acknowledgment of nature and ancestors and Temples (essentially Buddhist) – more about the philosophical approach to life. It is way more complex than that but it was a beginning for us in understanding.
Children were coming up to us asking to speak English and requesting us to sign their books.
Todoji
The largest wooden structure in the world
This temple has been damaged by earthquake, burned down several times by invading armies and still it continues.
The Grand Buddha;
As I walked in it brought a strong emotion and a tearful response. I don’t know, I like to think it is my Sri Lankan heritage. Maybe it is the overwhelming beauty of such a large statue.
Outside were two statues guarding the temple made up of 3000 or so carved pieces – these were massive impressive wooden statues.
Deer everywhere – they are considered holy and said to bow when you feed them. Mamiko gave each of us a deer cracker to feed to the deer. They do seem to bow after they eat the offering.
At the end of the tour – above and beyond the tour – Mamiko guided each of us to our restaurants of choice – we had chosen to try the local speciality in a tiny café in an old Nara street. Sitting unwrapping little square sushi-like rice and fish, marked with the leaf structure of the persimmon leaf they had been wrapped in. Apparently research has shown the leaves also have a preservative quality.
After lunch a tour of Nara old town with Yasuko, also from Nara Walk. Another excellent tour guide. This time learning about life in early Nara. The community, the houses, temples and commerce.
We visited two houses both typical Nara style and both demonstrating a part of Nara history.
Last (extra) tour stop at a Sake Brewery for a tasting before heading home. 5 Sakes to taste, plus a bonus sparkling, special Nara pickles including the famous vegetarian pickle that tastes like Jerky – it does. And – no not a free set of steak knives but we did get a cute glass Sake cup each in the colour of choice.
So tired at the end of this we picked up a take-away Bento box at the local Fast Food Bento store! Back to our little room for the night.
