Nara

For whatever reason Nara has a lot of deer running around. They want cookies, but I didn't buy them cookies this time. I just patted some of them that didn't look mean. Like this one. They aren't scared of people and will come and say hello (I want food).

Nara is a good day trip from Kyoto if you are up for walking around. It's about a 860 for one way, so a little expensive for me as a budget traveler. It's not too difficult to get there but I do suggest you know the kanji for Nara and your transfer stop (mine happened to be Tofukuji). Even still, there is always someone who speaks English somewhere around.

In Nara there isn't just deer, there is Todaiji, a massive complex with a large statue Buddha inside. There is also a large golden one as well. Although Todaiji might not be as decorated as Kinkakuji (golden pavilion), it is just stunning. The wood is old and it's age shows. Pictures can't show just how massive this building is. It's truly stunning. 

I walked back along the park road, passing many deer as I went. I picked up street food. Half of a massive baked sweet potato. I love the sweet potato here. It isn't pink on the inside like in America. More like a yam type thing, but sweet, hot and tasty! I passed through Kofukuji, a Buddhist temple. There were also deer there as well. Some tried to take my sweet potato. My potato.

The good thing about Nara is that it's a perfect day trip, even half a day if you aren't just strolling along. It was getting cold out and was cloudy all day, which made it feel rather late even though I finished up around three in the afternoon. From the JR Nara Station everything is just a walk away and it's not all that complicated to get to. There is an English map you can pick up with all the sight seeing spots. No buses needed, just walk!

Kiyomizudera (Pure Water Temple)

Kiyomizudera (pure water temple)

Quite possibly the most relaxing place you can go to in Japan. Well, if it weren't under construction and always busy. It's a beautiful place, with that large balcony that overlooks a beautiful forest. It's fairly close to Gion (where I am staying), but I still took the bus because I got the day bus pass and I'm lazy.

There are water purification and cleansing places at all temples, but this is by far the most decorative. With the ladle, you take some water and clean your hands, then you put water in your cupped hand and drink. Although many people skip the drinking part. You spit into the draining area, don't swallow.

There are also incense bowls where you pay maybe 10 yen (10 cents) and you burn incense. The smoke is said to have healing powers so you fan it towards you. (If your shoulder is hurting, wave it towards your shoulder, if you need to focus for an exam, wave it towards your forehead! Etc etc.)

Day one in Kyoto happens to be Christmas day!
I woke up early this morning to talk with my parents and at the time it was still Christmas eve for them. It's really not Christmas without them, but I guess I skip Christmas this year.

I headed out a little before nine in the morning. I bought a 500yen (5 dollar) bus pass for the day and visited a flea market that morning! At Kitano Tenmangu Shrine was a large year end flea market. I ended up buying a few things!

Top Left: Tiny sake cup
Top Right: Matching tiny sake cups
Bottom Left: Temari Ball (traditionally a hand ball, but it's an art form now.
Bottom right: Another sake cup.

I then visited Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) which was in the same general area. The bus pass is definitely recommended when you get here. Chances are, your hostel or hotel will sell one for 500yen. They are a deal because anywhere you go is 230. Therefore, if you ride more than twice a day, which you definitely will, it's a deal. I think I saved at least five to seven dollars. It's also quicker than counting out change all the time.

I headed back to Gion after that and visited their local shrine which I hadn't last time I came here. It's spread out and quiet but a very pretty walk.

The weather today was off and on drizzly, sort of breezy and sometimes sunny. In the city it's always shaded anyways and the wind is typically tunnel wind. It is late December but these photos probably look like early fall. It was fairly cold today but I was fine in a coat and sweater.

After walking around for a while and going down old Gion which is the Geisha district with old tea houses, a theater and other shops, it started to rain. My shoes have holes in them so I decided to call it a day.

I am here long enough that I don't need to move around quick and I can actually enjoy some time at my hostel. It's nice to walk around in the morning to early afternoon and head back before it's too cold or too dark.

I took the Sunflower Ferry from Beppu port to Osaka. I enjoy the ferry but it arrives a little too early for my tastes. Unfortunately there is not much to do at 7am in Osaka except barely find a place to get breakfast.

I was going to head to the history museum, but it didn't open until nine.
I grabbed a small breakfast at a small breakfast restaurant. (2 pieces of toast and a hard boiled egg and coffee).

Due to the printers at APU deciding not to work for a few days before I left, I had no maps. Somehow I still managed pretty well actually. Although you can travel pretty easily in Japan without knowing Japanese, I suggest at least knowing how to read the hiragana or katakana. Not their meanings, just how to read them. Sometimes the subways stations on the map are only written in hiragana.

SO DESPITE ALL OF THAT.

I walked around Osaka Castle park really early that morning, killed some time there. Still all beautiful all that. I didn't go inside, since I wasn't here to visit the inside of the castle. Osaka is not my favorite city, maybe my least favorite. Not much to do except eat and I am on a budget. Eating comes second.

I visited Namba, Dontonbori and Shin Sai Bashi which is a long shopping district with modern things such as clothes, kitchen stuff, etc, etc, nothing I wanted to buy. Killed time, killed time.

The real reason I stayed around in Osaka instead of going right to Kyoto was for the Osaka Castle Illuminations which were beautiful!

It's Christmas Eve here and I can't help but feel a little lonely. I know my family would have loved to see these lights and gone out for breakfast. I think they would enjoy themselves here and I want to show them around one day. I hope they have a wonderful Christmas and I miss them a lot. It just doesn't feel like Christmas here, although I am enjoying myself.

So, I am not done with my summer blog posts, but school has kept me busy. Therefore I still am behind on those.

Time to talk about autumn. I mean. The continuation of summer. Daily it is between 75-80 degrees out. On top of the mountain it's cooler, usually 70-75. The humidity is gone and therefore it's bearable to go outside. The sun is almost always out except for the random sunny rain. I don't need to buy a jacket yet nor extra blankets because even at night it's usually 60 or so. The leaves haven't changed yet. It's still green and there are many flowers. Mikan (mandarin oranges) are spotting green little trees, same with persimmon which are much bigger than I thought!


Japan likes to make strange things, as you might have guessed by now. McDonalds has what is called the Halloween Ikasumi burger. It means Squid Ink burger. Squid Ink isn't just a fancy name. It's the reason why the bun is black. Squid ink is used in breads and noodles and other things. This burger is a double cheese burger with a yellow spicy cheese sauce, fried onions and some strange black sauce of some kind. This burger tasted good! I mean, it's from McDonalds, but it was actually a good McDonald's burger. It tasted no different than a regular double cheeseburger except for the fact it had the spicy cheese sauce.

Back in America I think of fall as hot coffee (well... I still like iced coffee...), hot APPLE CIDER and of course pumpkin everything. Now, I will say that's one thing I miss. I can't find a single orange pumpkin here and kabocha (the green winter pumkin) is too thick to make into a jack-o-lantern. I've been busy and haven't even been out much. Until today.

I stopped by Starbucks and had their autumn themed custard and caramel thing and wow. Just. Wow. I love it. I want it more. It will never be in America and that makes me sad.

It's very sweet, but what do you expect from a custard, cinnamon frappuchino?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Sendai

Back in 2009 I came to Sendai and Shichigahama for a school trip. The trip was ten days and we stayed with a host family. Everyone else stayed in Shichigahama but my family was in Sendai which isn't too far. I have a lovely host mother, a host brother and a host sister.

I knew no Japanese back then, no simple phrases, nothing. I knew absolutely nothing. My host sister knew English but my host mother does not. Yet still, we communicated and enjoyed that week together. I knew I wanted to go back the moment I left Japan and I was sure to always talk to my host family.

But...

In March of 2011, a devastating tsunami destroyed Sendai, flooded it, knocked down buildings and disrupted the lives so a whole city. So many lives were lost and it seemed there wasn't enough aid to go around. To put simply, without any better words, I was also devastated.

Thankfully I got word that my host family was okay, physically speaking. I was encouraged more to learn the language so that I could talk to my host mother. I learned my host sister went to France to marry her fiance. That meant if I visit again, I won't be able to speak English.

Now... how many years ago was that? 5 years. I took Japanese classes, I took my regular college courses, I applied for study abroad, came to Japan and now... I took a bus from Tokyo to Sendai.

I stayed for a weekend and in that weekend we visited a lovely onsen. Even in the heat of the summer, onsen are wonderful to go in. We got a room for the day as well and had lunch.

After that we visited a temple with a beautiful view. The waterfall was huge and beautiful! Sendai and Miyagi prefecture is definitely a beautiful area. Though the best part was that it wasn't nearly as hot as Tokyo was because it's further north.

The rest of the weekend was also spent pleasantly. One of the days we took a drive to Shichigahama. I did not take pictures of this. Maybe, I thought that the differences were best left to memory. The town was... different. It was like walking in a different place. The community center we went to every day was still there. But the view from the back was different. It was flat. The acres of trees were gone and the coast line was wider.

Plymouth and Shichigahama

 Plymouth and Shichigahama are sister cities. We send students there, they send students here. I was so very thankful to go on that trip. I really hope to one day work in this program to see that it always continues.

Community Office/Center

There was lots of temporary housing still. Maybe I was expecting things to be back to the way they were, but they were not. Yet still, I saw students coming back from school activities, or young children with their parents at the playground. Some people were having BBQ at the beach.

This also marks the high light of my study abroad. I had fun in Tokyo and traveling the JR. I had fun going to classes at APU for my first semester. I enjoyed Osaka on QB, I enjoyed eating Japanese food, I enjoyed it all, but this... is why I came to Japan.

I promised I would visit again when I came back to Japan.
Well, I came back to Japan, and I visited.

This is why I am studying abroad.

The subway wasn't so difficult. On day one, yeah it was confusing, but after riding it a few times, you get used to it.

Here is a great website to use to educate yourself before hand. I didn't think to use it. Tokyo Metro. In Japan, subways are all the same. Same ticket booth, same maps, etc. Sometimes they are not in English nor in Hiragana. Good news is that on all of the metro lines the stations are announced in both English and Japanese. I heard Chinese a few times too.

To start, you can purchase tickets at touch screen computers. Just look at the map above, see where you want to go and it says the price from the current station. The computers can be put in English. **Carry 1000 yen bills and coin, as most do not accept anything greater than that unless you are going far on the JR. (JR is not the same as the metro, but there is a JR Loop Line in Tokyo)

Now you get a small ticket. When you enter, put it in the little slot and TAKE IT on you way out of the ticket gate. You need this to get off. When you arrive at your destination, put it in the slot. You don't get it back. If you get off after what you paid for, there are correctional computers where you put your ticket in and it tells you the amount you need to add, then you can exit! Simple.

SUBWAY ETIQUETTE: Japan has subway etiquette. Such as standing in line. There are marked areas where the doors will be. Stand in line. Some cars are female only for rush hour. If you are female, take those. Rush hour is around 8 am and 5pm. I suggest traveling before that, or after that, unless you want to be squished between awkward businessmen. Don't put luggage on seats, offer seats to elderly. Obviously don't litter and no smoking on the subway trains.

(Click to zoom in)

It looks confusing but it's easier than New York. Everything is color coded and numbered.

By reading up on the different lines you can find what is closest to what. There are also private rail companies, not metro, that run through Tokyo. Like the Tsukuba Express which goes from right next to my hostel to Akihabara. Even if you can't read the name of the station, you can know where to go by the station number. There is also the JR Yamanote line (which is not Tokyo Metro) that loops through Tokyo.

For those traveling just in Tokyo you don't need a JR Pass and it's probably a waste of money to get one. The fare between stations is fairly cheap. Take the subway, even if it seems difficult. Taxi are expensive and often times don't speak English, nor do many accept credit cards! 

MONEY MATTERS: Tokyo has more places that accept credit cards, but if you are simply here on vacation, take cash. Exchange in your home country and come with cash, as Japan is a very cash based society. Coins are very much used and it isn't strange to walk around with fat wallets. NO TIPPING IN JAPAN. 

If you do bring a card, you can take out cash from JP Bank. (Which is also the post office). They have ATM's in English but of course there will be a fee.

I got sick.

I guess it waited for a while. My friend in Osaka had a cold and I must have caught it from her. At least it waited until I got home from Disney. The next day I slept in a little bit, until 9 this time. I then walked around Asakusa, got lunch and walked along the river. It was hot today and thankfully not rainy, so the bridge wasn't slippery.

 I am on the opposite side of the river taking this picture. To get to my hostel I cross the bridge. The Train line bridge is to the right of this picture and there is another green bridge further to the left down the river. The river boat terminal is the building in front of "Nikka". I would have liked to go simply because of the boat they used.

Literally, THAT's the boat.

 I walked along the shopping districts, bought my brother a jinbei and then treated myself to a good dinner. Eating alone is not so awkward here. I bought unagi, the most delicious but little bit pricy thing ever. It's eel and it melts in your mouth lovely. In the box from left to right is little neck clams(the brown) egg (the yellow), pickled something or other which I didn't eat, and then unagi.

I often had to duck into stores simply because it was so hot. I never drank so much water since coming to Japan but it is just so painfully hot and humid. I didn't resort to hiding under an umbrella though.

Today was the day of getting lost. I got so lost, so often that I started thinking: "Well, it could be worse. At least I am in the right country."

I went to Shinjuku, Harauku and Shibuya today.

Shinjuku and Shibuya has the famed, terribly busy crossing that we think of when we see Tokyo. It's used in movies, almost as a symbol of Tokyo. In my whole time in Japan, the most homeless people I ever saw was here, and there were two. (Or maybe they were just passed out drunk, I don't know.)

Yes I walked in it, but no, I didn't stay for long. I took this from the window (you can see the X shadows from the window) from the station.
Shinjuku station is also famous for Hachiko (the dog who waited at the station every day for his owner even after he passed away). It's the number 1 meet up spot in Japan. (And of course it took me forever to find the damn exit)

After getting lost, and more lost, and so very lost. I ended up taking a train to Harajuku to see Takeshitadori which is a street known for shopping, crazy clothes, music and youth. Many people cosplay here, dressing as their favorite anime character. The latest trends are said to come out of this street, but sometimes the fashion seems a little too wild. (Or maybe I am being old.)

Takeshita Street

Half of them are foreigners

A typical storefront

You crazy kids (and the foreigner taking a photo with you)

The fun didn't stop there. After I was done with the crazy crowded youth, I went to Meiji shrine. It was hot. I mean, really hot. The sky was blue, but it was so bright that it looks bright white. My sunglasses were not enough. The walk is beautiful and rather long. It was high noon so not much shade.

THAT IS ALL SAKE

BEAUTIFUL SAKE

Less crowded and so beautiful

I did a loop around the shrine, out the back, went back through Takeshita street the back way, then went across the street to Yayogi Park. I didn't stay long because there were many mosquitoes and it was getting late afternoon. It's a beautiful active park, filled with joggers, kids playing catch, or the occasional students doing homework.

Oh. And these rockabilly groups who, despite the painful heat and humidity, still danced for us foreigners.

I had maps, I had train tickets, I prepared everything, but still got lost. I constantly got turned around and spent a lot of time wandering. I was able to do all of these in a day, but it was definitely tiring. I came back a little early to shower, get dinner at a small restaurant and went to bed early.

Why early?

Because tomorrow...

DISNEY LAND!

From Osaka, I took a bus to Tokyo. It was an experience, but also very cheap! It's an overnight bus that left around eleven at night and arrived at six. The arrival time was perfect because it was before rush hour and therefore I could sit on the metro which was a little confusing at first, but if you follow the crowd off the bus, chances are they are going to the train station too. Then the subway maps are color coded.

I took Willerbus, which has really cheap bus rides. There are many buses to choose from. The big thing I like is that only women sit next to women! (If you are alone.) Married couples of course sit next to each other, but only women will sit with women. This bus was about 25USD and put me right at Shinjuku station.

From there I went straight to Asakusa. I couldn't check into my hostel at first so I put everything in a station locker (which are very convenient and safe) then I went around Asakusa. I was a little tired and in need of a shower sort of. It was early, about eight am when I got there.

Many would call Asakusa "Old Tokyo" because the look and feel of Asakusa is old. I felt comfortable there, as it was easy enough to figure out and small enough to walk around pleasantly.

Sensoji Temple

 Right off the station I walked past a quiet Sensoji Temple. Last time I came to Japan five years ago, this temple was under construction so I couldn't see the front of the main building. There were many people there last time. But this time it was quiet (as it was very early) so the shops leading from this gate to the main building were all closed.

Second gate

So that's what the main building looks like!

Main building close up

 There was also a small park to the left of the temple which was a short cut to my hostel (I figured that out after walking the long way and realizing it was a giant square).

After some breakfast and more wandering around, I found my hostel and checked in. I went back to get my luggage from the station and was finally able to take a shower and comfortably walk around.

Some magical reflective building

Never too far from home

 I decided to check out KappaBashi, which was only a few streets back from my hostel. KappaBashi is a street that is known for it's many kitchen stores! Aside from funky kitchen things, takoyaki machines, cookie cutters of every shape and kitty cat spatulas, it is known for plastic food! Every Japanese restaurant has plastic food on display that looks good enough to eat! (I was unable to take pictures inside the small stores, as the cashiers were staring at me the whole time.)

This is a Kappa

 A Kappa is a turtle like thing in Japanese legends. It's favorite food is cucumbers! The street wasn't named after a Kappa on purpose, but later adopted the Kappa as it's mascot because why not. This is Japan.

Because Japan

 After some browsing, didn't buy much because this was day one. I came back to my hostel to find there was a somen party! Free food! Somen is a very thin noodle. (Udon being the thickest, then soba, ramen, then somen is the thinest). Typically eaten cold therefore a popular summer food. To have more fun and difficulty they put it down a slide made of bamboo. A hose was set up at the top and a trashcan held the water. You catch it with chop sticks and dip it in soyu (sorta like soy sauce, more watered down). Sometimes they put down mini tomatoes, tiny fish and cheese!

There was a filming here during this party and I made Japanese Tv. It cannot be put on youtube nor can I download it. I'll try to find a way to get a hold of it, but those not in Japan cannot view it right now.