こんにちは (Kon'nichiwa - Hello)!
Well that sums up about half of our knowledge of the Japanese language, and it was good enough to get us through over a week in Japan! In mid-March 2016 we spent about 3 days each in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka.
こんにちは!
Jennifer Serving Tea
Kevin Smelling the Cherry Blossoms
In Kyoto we rode bicycles to the Imperial Garden and ate lunch at a small café. Kevin almost barfed, not because of the food (which was good), but because of the Hello-Kitty decorations on the wall. We also ate dinner at Kikunoi, one of Kyoto's many 3 Michelin star restaurants. It was 11 courses over 3 hours, good thing we went bike riding to build up an appetite!
11 Course Menu
Our dinner room at Kikunoi in Kyoto
Assorted Traditional Japanese Salads
Next we traveled to the Arashiyama district in Kyoto, hiked a mountain (go Jennifer!), and fed some really hungry and cute monkeys!
Jennifer feeding a monkey!
Baby monkey has got to eat too.
Surprised!
The monkeys lived at the top of a mountain on the west side of Kyoto. I loved that there was no fence and nothing preventing the monkey's from escaping! This is so different from seeing animals enclosed at the Zoo! After a little thinking I don't think I would travel too far if I got free food, medicine, and protection either!
After Kyoto we took a train South to the small town of Nara arriving just in time for the last day of the Omizutori Lantern Festival at Todaiji temple. The monks light huge lanterns to purify the monastery and all the attendees; and they've been doing this ceremony for the last 1250 years!
Todaiji Temple
Large Buddha Statue in Todaiji Temple
Taking an afternoon nap
In the park they keep over 1,000 deer who are believed to be messengers of the Gods. Unlike the fairy tales, deer will swarm and bite (you can ask Jennifer for verification) - it makes Kevin glad he's a hunter. We couldn't leave town without stopping for Sake tasting where we left with 6 bottles of local Nara Sake! Yum!
Fire Lantern Festival
Straining really far - this little one was bashful!
Jennifer feeding bambi
The final stop in our adventure was Osaka. We loved Osaka because that is where we got to see Sumo! That's right-- we got a beautiful view of two 450 lbs. guys try to push each other outside of a circle; talk about fun!
Entrance Ceremony - aka wedgie contest
Modern Sumo is very similar to centuries ago. All the way from the training, to the dress, bouts, and referees; they even throw salt for purification. Watching these matches was an amazing experience! Our video page has some matches that we (ahem, Kevin) recorded and this one is my favorite!
Ready...Set...Sumo!
The life of a wrestler is very strict. Their day starts out by skipping breakfast, doing a work-out, having a very large 3,000-4,000 calorie lunch with beer, followed by a nap. They also must wear the traditional Japanese dress including wooden sandals.
Being foodie-types we couldn't leave one of the best culinary cities in the world without going to one more delicious dinner! Since we're on the subject, if anyone has a bottle of Pouilly-Fuissé wine they don't need send it Kevin's way he'll be glad to take it off your hands.
Kintoa Pork Loose with Spring Vegetables
Green Pea Air Bread with Japanese Ancient Cheese
Kumquat and Cream of Kumquat Peel
Overall we had a fantastic time on our trip and look forward to visiting again! If you want to see more pictures hop over to our Japan Gallery.