Nagoya

 Shopping in the neon streets of Nagoya.

 Trying on Kimono in Osu.

The Nagoya T.V tower from the top of the bus station.

Mino City

Fishermen in the waters of the Nagara River in Mino City. In July and August these river banks were squashed full of people sunbathing and swimming. 

 Viewing platform at the top of Ogura Park.

 Mino Washi paper shop.

 Paper lantern sheep.

All photos courtesy of James.

Gifu Castle

Monday saw Mike, James, Jo and I in Gifu park in the pouring rain. We took the cable car up the mountain to visit Gifu castle. The cable car ascended into a white bank of mist. Half-way up and we could see nothing of the famous view. But wondering around old stone pathways and reading about sieges and surrenders it provided the perfect atmosphere for reliving a piece of history. You could feel the danger and the edginess of the unknown. 

All pictures courtesy of James.

Nara

Whilst sightseeing in the old capital of Japan we were asked to fill in a survey about our reasons for choosing to visit. We chose several famous landmarks and then added something to the 'other' box; deer. The deer roam free in Nara which is full of green parkland and pedestrian walkways to different, old and impressive temples. They definitely stole the show on our visit. The gorgeous little hotel, the huge firework festival, the stunning giant buddha statue all were sandwiched between amusing, cute encounters with deer. Also they bow. They actually bow at you so not just any deer but Japanese deer. 
There were rice crackers you could buy to feed the deer. If they saw you with them then they surrounded you and snatched them but if you were sneaky and concealed them then you could feed a deer one at a time and ensure you got a bow for your troubles. Mike employed this sneak feeding tactic to ensure he felt his deer were deserving of their snack! 

 Firework night!

 Kofukuji Temple.

 Pagoda day and night views.

 Will was previously bitten by a one eyed deer so is understandable wary-we later encounter the very culprit!

 Mike employing his sneaky sembe tactics and rewarding a deer for a bow.

 Cute.

 My coat being nibbled before I surrendered by ice cream cone.

 Baby deer.

 The approach to Todaiji Temple.

Happy New Year

Seki at night is an empty place. You rarely see anybody walking around. Those out are getting exercise or driving through on the way to somewhere better. But last night just after eleven thirty people began to appear on the streets, just the odd couple or family, a few teenagers on bikes. Everyone wearing scarves and gloves and coats. At quater to twelve a gong could be heard at regular intervals from one of the temples. We walked through Seki to Sensoji temple where a huge queue of people waited to ring the bell themselves starting at midnight. We weaved past the queue and arrived in the temple grounds just as midnight struck and the first gong began. The bell is struck 108 times to symbolise the 108 sins in buddhism and to rid people of the 108 worldly desires.                   A bonfire burned in the centre and all the small buildings were sheathed in flags or drapes. People drew lots for raffle prizes and in one corner a group of teenage girls were screeching and staggering around holding cans of lager. We toasted the new year and watched a few bell gongs before taking off on the traditional tour of temples. Kitta Kannon temple (nearer to our flat) hosted hot foot stalls around the bonfire just inside the first gate. We drew lots this time and were given small prizes. A ceremonial branch and an arrow with an offering plaque painted with a dragon for Mike. I also go the branch but a bag of snack foods and oddly some kitchen sponges.                 All over Japan large arrangements of bamboo and branches are displayed to celebrate new year. I've forgotten to take any pictures but here's a link to one that gives you the idea. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kadomatsu_Kyoto_JPN_001.jpg It's forbidden to take pictures inside Kitta Kannon but it's a very beautiful temples with steps up to different buildings with different statues inside them and lots of candles burning. There is a three story Pagoda to one side and I think it rivals the beauty of Kyoto a little. So a very atmospheric, peaceful and spiritual New Year's eve. Happy New Year.Love Jo

Christmas in Kyoto

Christmas Eve: We set off for Kyoto on 6.35 am on the Seki bus. As we drove up into the mountains snow began to fall and the landscape became truly Christmassy.

We arrived and made our way to our Christmas hideaway. The hotel Citadenes is on one of the main roads of Kyoto; three lines of traffic alternately fly or crawl by in each direction. However, as soon as you walk through the sliding wooden doors you're far away from everything. A long stone floored entrance way leads you past a Japanese garden to the darkly lit, stylish lobby. Think chequerboard floor and feature lighting. Our room on the fourth floor had a covered balcony from which you could survey the city but as soon as you closed the door the traffic noise disappeared. 

http://www2.citadines.com/en/japan/kyoto/karasuma_gojo.html?gclid=CLGBkoGKoa0CFSFKpgod_yfSlg


We set out to explore our location and walked until we came to the river. We discovered we could stroll through restaurant populated old streets into the centre of Gion, which holds famous temples, new shops, beautiful winding old streets, a lot of dodgy bars and of course the odd glimpse of a Maiko. 

That night we ate in an Italian with a proper pizza oven and strolled around Gion drinking in the festive Christmas eve spirit. 

Christmas day started with champagne, presents and breakfast. 

We walked to Kiyomizudera temple and enjoyed the grounds stopping for a hot bowl of noodles and an amusing cross-examination by the owner of the restaurant. 

We also saw the amazing Samurai dog. 

We ate Thai for lunch as it has become a kind of Tay-frad tradition. The restaurant overlooked the river.

We ate dinner in Gion at a kind of Italian Tapas place which was amazing. Pudding was christmas cake back at the hotel.

Boxing day started with snow! 

We visited a  Zen temple; my favourite kind as they always have beautiful gardens. They had installed a new piece of artwork in 2004 which was two dragons on Washi paper on the ceiling. 

We took the bus home at 4.30 after stocking up on snacks. It took a good four hours as we got caught in a blizzard on the motorway. We enjoyed the snow when we stopped at the service station and returned to a thoroughly white Seki. 

Merry Christmas and have a very Happy new Year. 

Love Jo xxx

Christmas starts in 4 hours and counting...

 Cheese straws: check.

 Mince pies: check.

 Festive drinkies (part donated by the boss): check.

Christmas tree with a lot of presents: check.