Sister City

The occasional correspondent returns to give some male musings on Nara (Canberra's sister city and Japans first capital) and later some general ramblings about Japan.  We loved Nara. It was a highlight day. 

The three of us left Kyoto Station around 10 am for our day trip to Nara.  We travelled for 45 mins on a local train (only 130 kms per hr).  When we arrived the temperature was a modest 30C, with extreme humidity. It got hotter and more humid throughout the day, getting to around 36C.
We have not got sun burnt even though outside for hours during the middle of the day.

Penny suggested we hire bikes and this proved a very sensible approach (our feet being very tired having walked for hours the day before in Kyoto). We rode up the hill from the train station to Nara Park (deer park) where the majority of the attractions are all clustered around the one area (not like Kyoto where you have to travel widely to see all the sites).  The deer have been around this area for hundreds of years and are very tame.  Whilst the bikes only had three gears we where able to ride most of the way hopping off to push only occasionally. Having gone up for an hour or so made for a lovely ride down when we headed home around 5 pm.

We were amazed by the height of the five story pagoda (Kafuku-ji temple) which was rebuilt in the 1400's (original burnt down - dates from 669).

In my mind I was heard to exclaim holy Buddha when I first sighted the Todai-ji Temple which is purported to be the largest wooden structure in the world. It houses a massive 16 metre high bronze Buddha and there are several other figures around the Buddha such as a heavenly guards.

We loved these water spots to cool ourselves down.

We also visited a Japanese garden which was shaded and gave some relief from the heat.  The garden was wonderfully structured with masses of camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons (which are my favourite plants!).  The garden was pretty but in spring it would be unbelievably beautiful. 

We had lunch in a Japanese cafe where I was heard to say Oiishi (delicious).  This is a phrase I have been able to say many times. The choice of food in Japan is highly diverse (western influences such as french patisserie embraced) and of exceptional quality, they seem to take great pride to produce good quality and nice tasting food and they are so courteous and friendly.  We each drank about 6 glasses of the wonderfully cold water that was provided.

The range of quality goods available in the wide choices of shops and across low to high price ranges is amazing, making Japan a mecca for the serious or amateur shopper (good news boys the coffee shops offer excellent coffee and gateaus to enjoy whilst you wait).

One of the great advantages of the summer weather is the Japanese women are showing off there good figures and nice legs by wearing nice dresses. My male eyes are captivated by the style of the Japanese women who wear a wonderful variety of fashion (although some times the combination of garments is quite unusual and too my mind does not always come off). 

So far we have found the 7-11 type stores (Lawson) are always close by and offer nice ice coffees, orange juice and nibbles and at very reasonable prices. I guess the big population keeps competition high and prices low.

Finally, on the way home to Kyoto we had another highlight when we stopped off at the Red Gates (Fushimi shrine - avenue of Torii) which was close to our train line  (shrine to rice/sake gods). We walked up the hill for about 20 minutes and were very impressed with the red wooden posts that act like a tunnel to other parts of the complex.