Geibikei Gorge

After Hiraizumi, we went straight to the Geibikei Gorge for a boat ride a mile or so up it. We've heard this is a very authentic Japanese experience. The boat is motorless and there is a gondolier guiding it up the gorge with a long stick. On the way back he sings a traditional Japanese song. It was really neat and relaxing after all the walking around we did. The kids liked that they could buy fish food and feed the koi and ducks all the way up and back

They were selling little clay stones with phrases on them like "love", to throw into the gorge for luck.

Sweets

So the Japanese must like Kit-Kat candy bars, because they have them in so many flavors. They change with seasons so we have been trying a few.

So green tea, not our favorite. Tastes like sea-weed with a cracker around it!

Hiraizumi Pt. II

You might be able to tell from my pictures that I'm a little camera happy. I take loads of pictures wherever we go. Here's the second part of our visit to Chuson-Ji.

This is Hondo (The main hall), it was busy. Lots of people there to pray.

Hiraizumi

This weekend we went to Chuson-ji in Hiraizumi town to see a cluster of Buddhist temples. It has a fascinating history dating back to 850 AD. It's about a three hour drive from the base, and when I say three hours, it would be way closer in the states but because the speed limits are lower here it takes a bit longer. We took a tour arranged by the base so we wouldn't have to worry about filling up off base. Gas prices here are by the liter and it can get pricey.

We saw a bunch of these cool looking spiders as we walked up the path to the temple.

The pictures wont do this place justice, it's so beautiful with all the tall cedars and maple trees. I imagine when the leaves change colors here, it's amazing.

This is Konjikido (The Golden Hall), it was built in 1124. It is constructed of gold, shell, and wood. Because it is a national treasure we couldn't take pictures of it.

This is what it looks like inside, I found this image on the internet. It's amazing! You can tell it's so old but has been preserved.

Cool thatched roof

The construction used may make it look like it's all the same building or couple of buildings but there are 15 or more structures here, different halls and temples. I took too many pictures for one post, part II to come.

Before Japan

I was really excited that the patriot flew out of Seattle because it meant a stay in a city neither Dan nor I had been to before. My parents drove up with us from Utah to see us off.

It was bittersweet to have Grandpa and Grandma there; it was hard to say goodbye. Hopefully, we can get them over here to visit.