Manhole Covers 5

Setsubun

In honor of Setusbun, a festival celebrating the day before the first day of the Spring Season - I thought the first day of Spring was March 30th, No? - L and I went to Nara. Our reasoning for making the nearly three hour drive on a Tuesday was to see the 3000 lanterns at Kasuga Grand Shrine illuminated.Despite the rain, which was not warded off by L's leaving her umbrella at home to combat Murphy's Law, it was a really beautiful event. Setsubun has some really interesting traditions including throwing roasted soy beans at a family member who wears a devil mask, and eating an uncut rolled sushi while facing a specific direction without talking until the roll is finished.

Back to Nara

I dint get enough the first time, so on Monday I took Rebecca to Nara. We visited Toda-ji Temple (home of the Giant Buddha), The kohfukuji Temple complex, Ukimi-do a gazebo in the middle of a pond, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Five level Pagoda at Kohfukuji.Ukimi-do gazebo Kasuga Taisha shrine, home 3000 lanterns.

Nara

Over the weekend I went to Nara with my Mom, M, and A. Our first stop was the five-story pagoda at Horyuji.
Our second stop was Nara Park, famous for its fearless deer.

Our next stop was the giant Buddha located in Nara Park.
After visiting the Buddha we went to the National Museum which was showing the 60th annual exhibit of National Treasures. There are 64 buildings and 143 pieces of art in Nara prefecture that are designated as National treasures and yesterday we were only able to see a few of them. Nara is definitely not a place to be seen in one day, even if it is a day that starts at 6am and ends at 11:30pm.