Cloudy Osaka skyline from the train on our day trip out to Nara, where Japan's first capital was!
As you can see, it was a rainy day, but for us, that ended up being all the better
to see the green moss of Nara with.
to see the green moss of Nara with.
5-storied pagoda Kofukuji, just a block or two away from the train station where we pulled in.
As we've said before, if Seoul's thing is waffles, Japan's is pancakes... but in a rare departure, we found this waffle restaurant. In Ben's eternal quest for finding eggs benedict here, we stopped by to try the eggs benedict waffle... which they weren't serving that day.
However, our curry and ratatouille waffles still ended up being pretty amazing,
and were surprisingly crispy!
and were surprisingly crispy!
A Nara specialty: persimmon leaf-wrapped smoked sushi = magic. So beautiful-looking!
Ah yes, the deer of Nara... they roam free here, as they're considered in the Shinto religion to be messengers of the gods, so apparently there are more than 1200 in the city! Needless to say, they're quite used to people, or more specifically, getting fed by people...
Good to know... RUN!!!!!!!!!
Okay... I guess that's food...
I see you have picked up your brother's bad habits.
Ah, memories...
Nio guarding the approach to Todaiji Temple. Apparently the main hall here is the largest wooden building in the world?!
So glad that there were still some fall leaves on the ground, even in December!
In view of Todaiji
Walking up the hill from Todaiji
Dirty Birdy PDA
Behind the temple on the hill was a walk in the woods,
with statues every once and a while along the way.
with statues every once and a while along the way.
Amazing view out from the temple.
And on the walk back down from the temple...
That poor cartoon child... doomed to silently call for help for all of time.
And these lovely exhibits were... in someone's front yard. ^^'
Mamma cat delivery service?! ...Just delivery service.
Rickshaw!
Yoshikien Garden! More amazing moss and foliage here.
Pardon me, do you have any cookies?
Grandfather egret?
Awesome leaf patterns on the ground.
And now the approach to Kasuga Taisha, Nara's most famous Shinto shrine.
Heeeeeello Princess Mononoke...
This deer came up to Ben wondering if he had food, and ended up trying to eat his persimmon leaf sushi, cardboard box and all!
The leaf is the best part... Oh wait, don't eat the leaves...
Mmmm, delicious, hot, comforting kitsune udon after a wet, cold, gorgeous trek through Nara! Overall, it was such a peaceful and quiet yet stunning location that I felt like I might walk into a Miyazaki movie any moment. Hey, wait a sec....
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