Kyoto - August 4th

The first day in Kyoto, we headed south to the Fushimi-Inari shrine, the shrine of a Thousand Torii gates. They are so close together that they form a tunnel up the hill side from shrine to temple to shrine.

The Higashi-Honganji Temple was the next stop , only a few blocks from Kyoto Styation. To say it was large just does not do it justice. The main hall of the Higashi-Honganji Temple is one ofthe largest in Japan.

The Kiyomizu-Derai Temple is spectacular. Set high on the hills in the eastern part of Kyoto, it has a massive central hall with a veranda that hangs off the hillside and it was constructed without a single nail.

Underneath one of the temple buildings is a pitch dark space where you can follow a chain of woodern monk's beads strung on a cord around narrow passage ways and corners. It is close to going to the spiritual womb. And quite scary. 

Miyajima

We arrived in Hiroshima and got an early start for Miyajima island by rail and JR ferry in the morning. The Itsukushima Otorii gate is only surrounded by the inland sea for a few hours at high tide.On August 3rd we were lucky  to be there long enough for the tide to come in and surround the Otorii gate at  the Itsukushima shrine.

  

Bob made a quick jaunt up the hill to the Daishoin-Temple and found it a really special place filled with carved stone images and beautiful temple buildings.


The monk and his flock of stone followers was one of the

quiet places I found there before a monk druming on a temple drum lead me on a search for the drummer.

Reunion 2010 with Nagahisa's

Our first three days of our vacation was a home stay at the Nagahisa's. Nineteen years after Joyce's first visit with Minako, Sumie, and Shigaru, we went to Yamaguchi and met all the new members of the family. Sumie, Yuuka, and Anaka treated us to the traditional fisherman's dance.

We visited the Akiyoshido Cave and many sites in Yamaguchi, including this beautiful temple and its 5 story pagoda.

ARI's Labyrinth Peace Walk

ARI's Labyrinth Peace Walk. Luminaries glowing at dusk. People from 21 countries carrying origami cranes. One circuitous path seemingly leading away from the center, but always drawing closer. The soft music of three guitars. One voice singing John Lennon's "Imagine." Around 75 ARI community members praying for peace. Even the ever-singing cicadas seemed to respect the moment.

Having the chance to pray for peace in Japan on Hiroshima Day was powerful for both of us. Having just returned from the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima made it all the more profound.

Bob and Kimiji san laid out the labyrinth with lime on the volleyball court.

Joyce explained the purpose and how to walk a labyrinth. Otsu sensei, ARI's director, opened the labyrinth walk with prayer. Mitsuru san, Jun san and Gil san strummed their guitars while everyone picked up a crane, slowly walked in, placed their crane on the altar table and walked out.

After Uncle Timo gave the benediction, we viewed a documentary on testimonies given to the Japanese government on peace and nuclear disarmament.

We served tea and chocolate chip mint cookies baked by Nami san, Lizzie san, Rachel san, Ann san and Kevin san. This was a moment that will stay with us forever.

Matsushima - June 25

We had a get-away weekend in Matsushima on June 25-26. It was our first real departure from ARI since arriving in April.

Matsushima is a little seaside village northeast of Sendai. It is listed as one of the three most beautiful places in Japan. Most foreigners do not get this far north, so we really were vacationing in Japan.

Lunch was at a restaurant with a harbor view, and then we took the island cruise through the many islands in Matsushima harbor.

Our hotel was in the next town Yamoto, 25 minutes on the train.

The next day we had a guide who spoke english show us around the Entsu-in Shrine.

Karasuyama Festival - July 24

We went to the Karasuyama Festival yesterday with a group from ARI. The teams pull the shrine and pieces of the scenery through the streets and set it up. The good guy wins and controls the mountains in the end.

The street viewing area was very hot. We were not able to stay for the parade but walked through the staging area and saw all the other shrines.

But everyone had a great time at our first Japanese festival

Bangkok Highlights

We had to leave Japan after 90 days to renew our visas. So we went to Bangkok.
Highlights of our vacation were the Thai dinner cruise on the antique rice barge and lunch at the Oriental Hotel’s Thai buffet. Much Thai food is spicy hot, but the heat can be adjusted, and some places willingly do this.

Oriental Hotel’s Thai buffet

The visit to Wat Arun was a beautiful sunny day, just too hot. The pictures came out great.

Wat Arun

Japan’s rainy days welcomed us back. We have new visas and will be here at ARI until the end of August.