Today we visited the delightful city of Nara, Japan`s first permanent capital. The city witnessed the birth of Japan`s arts, Crafts and literature, as Nara imported everything from religion to art and architecture from China and developed as the political and cultureel centre with numerous tempels, pagodas and places.

Our first visit was to the Today-Ji Temple,which was built in the Nara period (710-794 AD)  chief object of worship is Vairocana Buddha. The statue is made from cast bronze which was pleated with gold.. The reighning Samurai built it for his own Meditation use.

The statue was consecrated in 752 but was damaged and repaired several times.

The building ranks as the largest wooden structure in the world.

There were lots of deer roaming around and we had some fun feeding them!

some deer got quite agressieve, Looking for food and even nibbling on our camera’s.

 

We went for a traditional tea ceremony (tourist short version) and a boat ride along the river Uji.

Another perfect weather day!

 

Enjoying a green tea ice cream

Tea ceremony started with a sweet made of soya and sugar, to sweeten our palette before drinking matcha tea. It is in the shape of a chrystanimum flower.

We  had totale our shoes off,  again  :-)

After the boat ride, we drove back to Kyoto where we visited  the local market as well as a Cultural/Craft Centre where did some/more Shopping.

 

Kyoto is in full swing for Halloween!

Chestnuts are populair here

 

We had our farewell dinner tonight, as four ladies Will not be travelling onwards to Hiroshima with us. Photos did not turn out, but we have the memories of a wonderful last Evening together with wine and beer supplied by WWQ. Off to Hiroshima tomorrow by bulletin train.

We wish Rookie and Elizabeth a safe trip home and will see Lynn and Fernanda  on our flight home later this week.