#makingmemories #familytravel #myrtlebeach #northmyrtlebeach #broadwayatthebeach
Japan day 6: Kyoto. Started the morning with a quick ride outside of Kyoto to Nara where we visited the Kasugataisha (Kasuga) Shrine, Nara Deer Park, and Todai-ji Temple where they have a 50-foot Buddha statue - “the Great Buddha” - Japan’s largest Buddha statue.
The Kasuga Shrine is known for its lanterns - over 3,000 stone lanterns and over 1,000 paper lanterns. Just beautiful, and so unique.
Todai-ji is one of the largest wooden structures in the world. The Great Buddha’s hand positions signal that he will stop outside pressures/stresses from entering your mind (right hand, held up in a “stop” gesture), and left hand showing a welcome gesture evoking feelings of compassion.
All of these are located near each other in a park where deer roam amongst the people. Deer are revered here and treated with the utmost respect. You can purchase special rice crackers to hand feed them.
After lunch, we headed back to Kyoto to the Inari Shrine and its thousands of red torii (shrine gates).
Our final stop was the Kinkakuji Temple, the Golden Temple, named for the gold leaf covering the top 2 floors. Yes, that’s gold, not paint.
We capped off the night with yet another wonderful dinner experience cooking over an open table grill. And maybe some sake.
#makingmemories #kyoto #narajapan #kinkakujitemple #kasuga #todaiji
Japan day 5 included exploring Takayama in the morning. We started with the Miyagawa Morning Market and walking around the old city. Then a bus to the mountain village of Shirakawago - super cute and reminiscent of an alpine village, complete with thatched roofs. Then continued on the bus to Kyoto which we’ll explore tomorrow.
Japan Day 3: Hakone/Atami. We left Tokyo this morning and headed west to the mountains to Hakone and Atami.
We stopped on the way at a rest area, and let me tell you - the US needs to step up their rest stop game. This place was nuts! Huge, clean, tons of shops and food. All of us said we needed more time to explore! Also, took some pics of the Japanese restrooms just for reference so you can see the differences here.
In Hakone, we visited the Hakone Shrine and then did a quick boat tour on Lake Ashi. The shrine was set in a beautiful forest, with a chinowa in front (a sacred grass wreath symbolizing purification). There is a fountain at the main shrine that is dedicated to the protective spirit of the 9-headed dragon that lived in the lake.
After the boat ride, we took a tram on the Hakone Ropeway to see the active Hakone volcano. You can see the steam coming up but I can’t upload the smell of so much sulfer! Ramen for lunch where the girls decided to all dig into the same bowl.
We closed the day traveling to Atami where we are staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan (traditional hotel) - meaning we’re sleeping on the floor on tatami mats and futons. It’s an experience. We also had a traditional Japanese meal consisting of a variety of food and not even our guide knew what some of it was. Traditional dress in kimonos added to the experience.
#makingmemories #japan #hakone #atami #ryokan
Hawai’i day 3: last night’s luau at Paradise Cove did NOT disappoint! There is so much beauty and tradition in their storytelling. #makingmemories #luau #oahu
Stop 1: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii #Waikiki
Family of 5, traveling around the �
