zenkoji

Ruu asked Naomi and I to go on a bus tour to Nagano and I had always heard about Japanese tours so I thought why not. The tour was to the temple Zenkoji which is famous every seven years when it's inner doors open to reveal a treasured copy of a famous statue which no one is allowed to see! So we trust this treasure statue is there but even the copy has so much power mere mortals can only lay their eyes upon it every seven years for one month. So we went. I had heard from friends that Japanese tours tend to be filled with shopping and this one was no exception. I wouldn't have minded so much but it was pouring down rain through which we had to go from shop to shop. The only consolation was at many shops we were given free treats!

some shrine

the frog god

Ruu's stylish helmet.

some cave

The bus!

free food

free alcohol

Naomi wants more!

rabu rabu dumpling things

I was trying to show Ruu how knowledgeable I am about Sumo thinking this is a referee's fan. She informed me it is actually a signal fan for battle!

mini samurai

lunch was soba

yum

make the extra rice into an onigiri for later.

Naomi avoiding the rain by choosing her drink from a telephone booth.

This pillar has a string tied to it that runs into the temple and is tied to a holy statue's hand. Thus if you touch the pillar you touch it's hand and can make a wish.

I want nice weather!

some sign

Zenkoji

Omiyage (souvenir food) from Kyoto which is apparently a no no when visiting a different place.

Waiting for the procession for 40 minutes after which we were blessed on the head by a nun.

Warming our hands over the shabushabu pots.

Shabushabu is basically dipping things in boiled water and then dipping it in sauce. From top to bottom the meat is horse, beef and pork. I didn't eat the horse of course.

Even though we spent the day trekking in the rain we decided to go out that night.

I however didn't last long and used Lefty as my pillow.