Day 320: Shingu: Waterfall Behind Temple and Nervous Laughter

Today was a highlight.

One of the main things we wanted to see, was one of the hardest to get to, but it was well worth the effort. Today we went to the Heritage Listed temple, and pagoda, in front of Nachi Falls.

The train from Shingu was easy enough, but we missed the bus by about 5 minutes, and had to wait another hour. Once there, the hiking began.

I am always ready for a hike, with jeans and knock-off converses, and today, an umbrella. Fortunately, the rain stopped for some good photos at least!

It was honestly spectacular. It it the tallest waterfall in all of Japan, and the last little bit of rain must have really helped!

After a while roaming around the mountain top, we headed to an onsen. 

Hotel Urashima is probably the best one we could have chosen, as it is an island we had to take a comical boat to, and the baths are literally in a cave, overlooking the ocean. Like a bond movie.

The hotel itself is a little average, so I'm glad we just visited, and we didn't last long, but the experience is one I won't forget any time soon!

On the way home, we stopped by Shingu Castle Ruins, and saw a heap of hawks or some other birds of prey, just chillin.

Tomorrow, a day of travel xx

Day 319: Shingu: Shirahama Beach Resort

Today we continued our Wakayama Prefecture tour, by passing through Shirahama, on the coast. 

Honestly, the highlight was probably the train before and after the city, but it was a good day trip.  

Home to one of Japan's most famous beaches, it is listed as a tourist hotspot in all sorts of sites and books.

We started our day at Sandanbeki caves, where pirates used to hide their ships, and a blow hole splashes all over the paths inside. 

From there, we went walked along the coast for over an hour, seeing some quite beautiful views, from leaping fish, to white sand beaches, ending at a natural rock formation.  

Living so near the Great Ocean Road somewhat dampened the experience, and it seems like the whole area only functions in summer, with most buildings being either closed, or dilapidated. My current theory is that it was popular in the 80s, before it was so easy to just fly overseas instead. The town just hasn't caught up. 

It was a good day though, and we walked over 20km in the end. We also have a whole four bedroom house to ourselves for the next two nights!! 

The guy who owns the house runs the Sushi place nextdoor, but we checked his menu, and he sells whale. No thanks. We are like 15km from Taiji, where they hunt dolphins too. They have a huge whale and dolphin mural at their station. Shingu is much nicer.

Tomorrow, temple with waterfall behind it xx

Day 318: Wakayama: Leaving the Temple for the Coast

Today we said goodbye to the Monks of Koyasan, and started our journey down the Wakayama coast.

When we first woke up, we went downstairs to where the monks were praying, and joined in for half an hour. We were not invited to take part in the ceremony though, unlike some of the other guests. We made up for it though.

After a slightly better breakfast than we had the night before, we ventured back onto the mountain in search for the current resting place of Kobu Daishi, who has been in eternal meditation since the year 835, and who founded the Buddhism followed on Mount Koya.

He rests at the end of the Okuoin Cemetery we were in yesterday. This is actually the largest cemetery in Japan. We were probably some of the first people there, so paid our respects in the form of burning some incense in his hall.

We then continued onto the Hall of Lights where people can, instead of having a headstone, have a light placed. There were thousands, lining the two stories, floor to ceiling.

After this, we collected our things and headed down the mountain. We are staying at an in-between place today, Wakayama, at the start of the coastline we plan on exploring over the next couple of days.

There is a great castle and grounds nearby though, so we spent a few hours exploring this, before coming back to our accommodation. I had to change this last minute because it turns out our original booking was for a love hotel, and I just couldn't go from a temple, to paying by the hour.

Tomorrrow, the coast xx

 

Day 317: Koyasan: Living with the Monks

Today was a very memorable day, up on My Koya, the most spiritual place in Japan. 

It wasn't easy to get to, 3 trains, a bus and a balls cable car, but it was a great view of a more rural Japan.  

It is a bit touristy, but the mountain is home to hundreds of monks across dozens of temples and temple stays, and a huge number of people making a pilgrimage to the site. Somehow, they really kept it classy. 

We visited many temples and saw any monks and worshippers. 

The highlight for on the mountain itself was probably the cemetery loop, a 5km walk through an old forest, lined with memorials and headstones. Some of the trees were over 50m tall, and over 400years old. Some of the gravestones were over a thousand years old. Some were very recent, or for corporations. 

The best part was our accommodation.  

Our accommodation was literally a temple. Sekoshoin was a great choice. The food was cold, the bed was hard and the monks running it spoke very little English, but it was incredible.  

Our room had a view over the garden courtyard, we ate a (admittedly pretty gross, but still awesome) traditional cold vegetarian dinner and a pretty good breakfast, opted out of the communal showers, and got happiness bracelets.  

Our evening was spent drinking green tea under a heated table, reading the teachings of Buddha.  

Tomorrow, an inbetween day xx

Day 316: Nara: Deer and a Really Big Temple

Today we had a proper explore around Nara. The weather is awful and we all have colds, but you can't keep a good group down!

We headed straight for the biggest herd of deer, bought some rice crackers from the deer food store and immediately made some very hungry, slightly clingy new friends. 

After hiding the food, we made a mad dash to Todai-ji Temple which was enormous. It is home to a very large sitting Buddha, and an even larger gate. Any temple of interesting size is worth the 500yen entry. 

It was still raining at this point, so we fed a few more deer, getting them to bow for us, instead f butting us, and went back to the room for a nap.  

The accommodation is tiny, really not set up for 4 large Australians, so the nap was much appreciated.  

We did head out again for some food and a good explore though, so the night was not completely lost. Plus, I found my rice balls with sweet soy sause. The best.  

Tomorrow, monks xx

Day 315: Tokyo: Leaving for Nara

Today was our last day in our current accommodation, and we made the most of it by exploring the area for a couple of hours. 

After lunch, we made our way to Nara. I love animals, and Nara is full of deer, so I am stoked. Even the streets are lined with cute pictures of deer. 

Tomorrow, a proper explore of Nara Park xx

Day 314: Tokyo: Temples, Dogs and Treasure

Today some of the group woke up a little under the weather, so I ventured out to see some sights, then met up with them later. 

I got to visit my favourite temple in Tokyo, Senso-ji. We even ate at the same place I did last time, by coincidence!!

I love how people still wear the traditional clothes, then take selfies. It's just wonderful to see!!

From the temple, we headed to Shinjuku to retrace our steps and find one of the girls phone. They weren't open yet, but there was a weird early Halloween gathering which makes me excited for a few weeks!!

We found a dog cafe to kill some time. I love dogs.  

We ate at Genki Sushi for dinner. You order on a screen and a conveyer belt brings you your food. I also love dinner.  

Eventually, we found the phone and celebrated by going home via scramble crossing.  

Tomorrow, deer xx

 

Day 313: Tokyo: Shopping and Golden Gai

Today was an unexpectedly huge day. 

We started off wandering through Harajuku, shopping and taking in the sights. We explored a few side streets. Japan has a really interesting second hand clothing culture, which was awesome to explore.  

Harajuku itself was great. I met a wild lady with her own boombox and world of her own.  

In the evening, we headed to Golden Gai, a district of tiny bars, just one small remnant of the pre-1923 fire which destroyed a lot of Tokyo. 

We drank a lot of Strong Zero and plum wine, went to Death and made friends with Ken the salaryman who spoke no English at all.  

It ended slightly messy for some, but I just had a top time!! 

 Tomorrow, a mission to find one of the groups lost phone

Day 312: Tokyo: Another Sleepless Disney

Today was another huge day at Disney. This time, at Disney Sea!!

We had another night of little sleep, got up early, and got to the park before opening. The rides here are more the attraction than the pretty park itself!

They had some amazing entertainment too, including a volcano which erupted fire, people with water jetpacks and a magically appearing dragon!

We ate more Mickey Mouse shaped things too. Again, iced coffee was a life saver.  

Tomorrow, exploring the stores of Tokyo xx

Day 311: No Sleep for Disneyland

Today we got up bright and early for a day at Disneyland!! (With only around 4 hours sleep)

I went to this park a couple of years ago, but now, instead of Christmas themed, everything is set up for Halloween. In Tokyo, this means everyone can dress up in full Disney costumes for the month... and people went all out!!

A lot of the costumes looked home made, with intricate details that I would never even think to add. There were a heap of couples costumes too which was adorable and amazing!! The kids were just too cute.

The park itself was pretty much how I remembered it, except for one ride, the Stitch Experience which was just a Japanese talk show thing which none of us could understand in the slightest. 

I'm pretty sure everything I ate was shaped like Mickey Mouse's head. The afternoon iced tea was a blessing too!

As always, the final fireworks and castle show were incredible. 

Tomorrow, a different Disney park xx