Bye bye Japan!

We left Osaka, Japan for Taipei, Taiwan first after finishing up the final shopping. We switched the plane for Chicago.

Accidental delay at Kansai International Airport fortunately reduced our lay over time.

Nice flight!

Deer and Great Buddha

Final full day was in Nara where many deer greeted us with bowing for food.

Some cherry blossoms were in bloom in front of the Great Buddha Hall.

In Todaiji temple complex, we stopped by the April hall, March Hall and February Hall from which we could have the nice view of Nara city.

Though Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine and Mt. Wakakusa-yama, we reached Kasuga Grand Shrine.

We were a bit rained and suffered from being hungry, we managed to finish Nara mini trip.

Silver Pavilion to Nanzenji Temple.

First we stopped by at the local government election campaign office of Shingo's comrade running for Kyoto city council.

After warm-hearted welcome by the candidate and seeing him off, we visited Silver Pavilion from which we walked along the Philosophers' Trail to Kumano Nyakuoji Shrine.

Nearby temple was Eikando Zenrinji Temple which is famous for its maple leaf garden. We could go up to the top of its Pagoda to have nice city view.

Our today's trip finished at Nanzenji temple and nearby Kyoto International Communiy House.

We took a bus in front of the largest Torii gate at Heian jingu shrine home.

Good day again!

Western part of the city

First we visited Daikakuji temples where we did Shakyo (Hannya shingyo scripture coping)  Then we were walking through Nonomiya Shrine.

Along with Tenryu ji, we climbed up to the top of mountain, the scenic area.

After coming down the mountain, we went the group dinner at Izakaya near the hotel.

Phoenix and Torii gates

Already middle of the program and today we visited sites around Keihan Train.

We first greeted 1001 statues of Buddha for mercy (Senju Kannon) and enjoyed Sakura on the garden, then went to Uji where we tasted some tea and paid our visit to the Phoenix Pavilion.

Our lunch was at the revolving sushi restaurant in front of the train station. With our stomach being filled, we stopped by at Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine to experience thousands of Torii Gates a bit.

It was another beautiful day.

Sunny Walk in the eastern Kyoto

City bus took us to Tea Bowl Street where we began walking upto Kiyomizu Temple and Jishu Shrine.

We walked down Kiyomizu road to Sannei zaka, Ninen zaka and reached Ryozen Kannon (Giant Buddha for Mercy) next to Kodaiji Temple.

From Kodaiji, our walking got to Yasaka Shrine via Maruyama Park.

In the afternoon, we visited the largest Shrine Garden of Heian Jingu Shrine.  Certainly we stopped by Kyoto Handicraft Center for quality shopping.

Traditional Theater experience at night!

Great day again!

Super fulfilling first day in Kyoto

Nice weather assisted us to go to the Golden Pavilion where shiny gold welcomed us.

From Kinkakuji, we walked to the Rock Garden (Ryoanji) where we could also walk around 360 degree pond.

Lunch was, as usual,  at the cafeteria of Ritsumeikan University where Shingo was commuting over 35 years ago.

After lunch, we visited Kitano Tenmangu Shrine through Hirano Shrine.  Everyone enjoyed monthly flea market from which we proceeded to Nishijin Textile Center.

After enjoying shopping and Kimono Fashion Show, we stopped by at Seimei Shrine which is famous for Medieval Exorcism.

It was a good start!

Safely arrived in Japan

We have safely arrived in Japan via Taipei, Taiwan.

For the first time, we used Eva Air to go to Kansai and had fairly nice flight though a bit longer.

Upon checking in hotel in Kyoto, we went to Nijo castle.

2019 SprIng Sakura Trip begins tonight!

We will leave Chicago around midnight for Osaka, Japan via Taipei, Taiwan!

Dozen us will chase Brooming Cherry blossoms around Kyoto while visiting somehistorical and cultural landmarks!

First time using Eva Air!