At the end of July my childhood friend and Josh’s high school friend Margaux came to visit us in Japan!
This is something we’ve talked about since middle school- us exploring Japan together. I always swore I would live in Japan one day, right?! Some days I still can’t believe I actually did it. We started our adventures in Nara City and from there we went to Osaka, Ise (for a wonderful time at the beach and an astounding fireworks show), Asuka, and Kyoto!
Margaux and I bought some kick-a matching Yatagarasu (the three legged crow) charms from Kashihara Shrine that you can only get there! She got this blue/yellow one, and I got yellow/blue.Margaux and I in Osaka!Margaux appears to be holding in her laughter at how crazy I was getting over the beach. Haha. Many thanks to Kelly for the photo!Bethany and I ready to jump on the beach! Many thanks to Kelly for the photo!Josh being a lil’ cutie. Many thanks to Kelly for the photo!Female form of Jizo with infant.A female Jizo statue at the base of Inari Mountain. I was shocked by how much this resembled mother Mary with an infant Jesus.Look what Margaux and I found in Asuka!Making the long trip towards the Kitora Tumulus in Asuka with MargauxOfusa Kannon TempleOka-dera TempleAdmiring the roses and windchimes <3They had Memphis barbecue!!! xD Oh what a meal that was.Hard Rock Cafe Osaka! I was surprised to hear a new song by Madonna here.Oka-dera TempleA breathtaking view of Asuka city from the top of Oka-dera Temple.A zen garden at the top of Oka-dera TempleMy first time wearing a yukata! You might laugh, but I felt like a princess. It was a very special day for me indeed and I can’t wait to wear it again to Nara Tokae.Hmm…are these three Eastern philosophers? I want to say it’s Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Siddharta Gautama (Buddha) here, but I guess I would need investigate more closely to find out.A little flower brooch to match my yukata.Bethany and I after a fun filled day at the beach in Ise!The many beautiful windchimes at Ofusa Kannon Temple.Josh and Margaux at the exit of Kasuga Taisha Shrine.Some interesting frogs near a golden female Jizo statue. I’d like to know what this symbolism is all about. It’s so interesting!The pagoda at Oka-dera Temple. We saw this structure from way far away on the side of a mountain and still somehow decided we wanted to see it up close. It ended up being a pilgrimage site, which would explain the grueling nearly hour long uphill journey. Even so, I highly recommend it because the Temple was fantastic! It houses the largest clay Buddha in the world, and is said the be the “lid” of an ancient dragon sealed away beneath it.Margaux and I are excited to begin our Nara adventureSmall Hachiman shrine in Asuka.An interesting shrine at the base of Inari Mountain. What’s it all about? I want to know!A small Hachiman Shrine in AsukaMatsuri (Festival) Pikachus! The summer festing season is upon us!Bethany and I at Ofusa Kannon Temple’s Windchime FestivalTwo statues at the base of Inari MountainMargaux’s Arrival in Nara!
