From Fushimi to Nara

From Kyoto, we took some time to explore the temple complex of Fushimi-Inari before heading down to Nara. This is the sake central highway - Fushimi being one of the two major sake producing centres, historically and today, and Nara considered its cultural home.


It was evident that we were onto a good thing as this pilgrim was the first person we saw when we got off the train.


A perfectly proportioned breakfast.


Saba (mackerel) curry, in a can. A completely inappropriate breakfast. Especially the turbaned guy, with the disproportionately large mackerel.


Entering Fushimi-Inari Taisha. The paths leading up to the shrine are lined with literally thousands of these vermillion Torii or gates. Inari is the Shinto god of industry, agriculture, fertility, and most importantly (from the sake brewer's perspective), of rice. A perfect pilgrimage destination.


Man walking dog.


Having paid our respects to Inari, we hopped a train to Nara, checked into our hotel (conveniently located across the street from a sake shop), and walked back to the train station to rent some bicycles. Having been caught out in the rain at least twice already, we employed my favoured rain averting technique - carrying an umbrella. A little vending machine coffee and off we go.


Turned out to be a beautiful day, great temperature for cycling and sightseeing. Nara is absolutely covered in temples and shrines. This is Kasuga-Taisha, famous for its lanterns and a style of architecture.


Horticultural delights around every corner.


The sacred deer of Nara roam everywhere. "You do plan to give me food, don't you?"


Outside the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) at Todai-ji in Nara. One of the largest wooden structures in the world, this is smaller than the original structure that was destroyed by fire. One of the supporting posts in the hall has a small hole cut through it, sized to be the same as the nostril of the Buddha statue sitting inside. Legend has it that if one is able to pass one's body through the whole, then one is assured of enlightenment in the next life. I managed this back in '97, so I'm all set. Good thing too, couldn't even get my shoulders in this time.


Will she, won't she? Me and 50 schoolkids want to know.


The human booger makes it through. "Enlightenment, here I come!"


Enlightenment, perhaps, but it doesn't come equipped with a sense of direction. This is moments after saving R. from an impromptu ride all the way back to Kyoto.

So, back to the hotel and out for some dinner. I had read that around the corner there was an izakaya with, not only a lengthy sake list, in English, but also a vegetarian menu. Score 1 to Ryozanpaku! Delicious, friendly, and not too expensive. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped in at the tiny, but well equipped sake shop across the street. Seeing our more than moderate interest, the owner pulled out a couple of opened bottles from the refrigerator and gave us samples. Oishii! I picked out a couple of bottles of jizake, local sake, and as we were leaving with our purchases, was handed another bag - containing the two bottles we had just tried, and another small bottle of "romantic" sake! Gifts! Good to come back to Nara!