Kyoto

The last city we visited was Kyoto. We went to 3 World Heritage Sites. Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu Temple which over looks Kyoto, and Nijo Castle with the nightingale floors. One night we went to Gion which is where the Geshias work. We had a zen-tempura dinner, participated in a tea ceremony and watched 7 traditional Japanese performances. On the last day we headed to a temple that has paths lined with Toriis.

Hiroshima and Miyajima

Days 2 and 3 we were in Hiroshima and Miyajima via bullet train. It rained to whole first day. We went to the A-bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park. The following day we took a day trip to Miyajima and Mt. Misen since our train didn't leave until 5 p.m. We saw the giant Torii out it the water. The island had deer roaming around. We hiked up a mountain and a lot of stairs.

Osaka

For spring break I headed to mainland with Liz. Our first stop was in Osaka. We dropped off our bag at the hotel and headed out to explore the city. We visited the floating garden observatory at Umeda Sky Building. Then we headed to the hotel bar for a nightcap. We had to get up early the following day since we were taking the bullet train to Hiroshima.

Shisa Dogs

I signed up to make my very own Shisa. It was surprisingly not as stressful as I thought since most of you know about my artistic abilities. I'm happy with the Shisa and can't wait for them the dry so I can display them proudly. Another only in Japan experience.
Shisa is a traditional Ryukyuan decoration, often found in pairs, resembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawa mythology. Many people put a pair of shisa on their rooftops or flanking the gates to their houses. Shisa are wards, believed to protect from various evils. When found in pairs, the shisa on the left traditionally has a closed mouth, and the one on the right an open mouth.

Higashi Azalea Festival

I went to the Azalea Festival in the Higashi Village. The flowers were pretty. We walked around the grounds for a few hours. Another thing to see on Okinawa before we leave in Nov.

Battle of Okinawa

This morning Liz and I went on the ITT tour Battle of Okinawa. The tour guide is a lady who survived the battle. She gave alot of insight and information about the Okinawan people during the battle. She has been battling the Japanese Government over the details of the war on Okinawa. We first went to a cave where her family hid during the war. After her family left the cave became a death trap. Mothers were killing their child since the Japanese told the Okinawan people that the Americans were going to kill or enslave them. Next stop on the tour we headed to one of the hills near Naha, where some of the heaviest fighting took place. The next stop was the Underground Naval Headquarters. Finally we ended our tour at the Peace Prayer Park.

Taste of Asia

Alex and I went to a dinner show at the Butler O'Club called the Taste of Asia. The food was all kinds of Asian dishes so Alex was not too happy with the food selection but the open bar made up for the food. The entertainment was a local group. We enjoyed the dancing and drumming.