As a travel doll that has seen a lot of the world there was always one area that interested me, the Far East! And guess what? I found on in September 2008 that we were going to Japan!
On the day we left we had a long flight ahead of us (12 hours!) so Mama and I checked the message board in the airport before we left.
Once we were FINALLY there we checked into our room in Tokyo. The view from our room was awesome, we were on the 28th floor!
And look at the high tech toilets they have in Japan! Almost all toilets have a heated seat, make noise when you sit down, and have a bidet!
The first day Daddy had to work so Mama and I went to the Imperial Palace. Here I am with one of the guard towers and a moat!
The actual palace is closed to visitors, but you can just see it over that bridge! Neat! I wonder if a Japanese princess lives there.
The next day Daddy didn't have to work so we went to Senso-ji Temple. Before you get there this is this fun street for shopping.
Cell phone charms are very popular in Japan, so of course I checked them out.
Soon I saw the inner temple gate ahead of us!
Off to the side there was a bronze Buddha that people prayed to. Notice how shinny his leg is, that is because everyone touches him for good luck.
There is also a five story pagoda near the entrance of the temple. In Buddhist temples the pagoda is always on the left side after the second gate.
And then I saw the main temple! Wow!
Behind the temple is a beautiful Japanese Garden. Notice the koi in the river.
There are also lots of smaller sub-temples. This one is my perfect size!
Next we go to a very beautiful stroll garden (one of the four types of Japanese Gardens, tea, paradise, and dry are the others) called Koishikawa Korakuen Garden. The Tsutenkyo bridge is one of the most famous sites.
I couldn't wait to walk the bridge myself.
And sit down and enjoy the view.
This Japanese Garden really has a place for every type of view. I like the reflections a lot.
And the bamboo forest was really pretty.
The next day we went to Nikko. On the way to the temples you get to cross over this really pretty bridge called Shinkyo Bridge.
Nikko is in the mountains in North Japan and the painted temples there are so pretty! And really old too!
Here is one of the main temple buildings at Nikko.
Soon it was time to leave Tokyo and head to Kyoto. We decided to take the bullet train!
And I got a window seat!
Kyoto is considered "traditional Japan" because it has most of the temples and historic sights. Plus, the city feels older, more traditional vs. super modern Tokyo.
One of the first things we did in Kyoto is checked out some temples. Here I am at a small temple right in the heart of downtown.
Most of the temples have water, where you can wash your hands and take a sip. It is a little bit like Catholic's holy water. Here is the sign saying it is safe to drink.
Yum! It is so cold!
Then we walked over to a historic area of Kyoto called Gion where the Geisha live and work.
It is so pretty here.
Back at the Kyoto hotel I decide to change into my kimono because I want to show you around. We decided to stay in a traditional hotel, called a ryokan.
The walls are traditional sliding paper and wood. It is really pretty because even if they are shut you get daylight.
Tatami mats cover the floor and you have to remove your shoes before entering.
And there is a low table where tea is served. I wish it was violet tea instead of green tea though.
But where are the beds?
In a traditional Japanese home or ryokan the beds are folded and stored during the day and only brought out at night to sleep. Goodnight!
The next day I decided to wear my kimono again. I couldn't wait, we were going to visit some very famous Kyoto temples today! I had some sushi for lunch and then we were off!
Our first stop was the Fushimi-inari Taisha Shrine which is famous for the hundreds of orange tori gates.
Tori gates are traditional Japanese gates often found at the entrance to a Shinto shrine.
Foxes are seen as the messengers, and are often found in Shinto shrines, so of course I needed a photo with the fox!
Soon we were sick of tori gates so we decided to check out Yasaka Shrine.
This shine was originally built in 656! Wow that's old. That is even older than Mommy!
Up the hill from Yasaka Shrine is another impressive temple called Kiyomizo Temple. It was built in the trees against the mountain, so it is very pretty here. The buildings here were built in 1633!
Isn't this gate pretty?
On the way back towards Gion we ran into a real live Geisha!
Before the day was done we wanted to just check out one more temple. This is a Zen Temple, so it is a little different.
It is called Kennin-ji Temple and it right in downtown Gion. We loved this temple! The courtyard gardens were so pretty.
Check out this dry garden. A dry garden is created by raking gravel into certain designs to represent different designs in nature. This represents the ocean.
The next day we went to Nanzen-ji Temple. Here I am at their very impressive front gate!
Nanzen-ji had a very pretty dry garden and sub temples.
And there is a beautiful paradise garden here in a sub temple of Nanzen-ji.
Mama and Daddy want to grow a Japanese Garden back at home, doesn't that sound neat?
Finally it is time to head back to Tokyo on the bullet train. Here is a view of the city nights, the tower is called Tokyo Tower and looks a lot like The Eiffel Tower.
On the last day we decide to visit just one more garden.
And have tea in a tea house in the garden.
It is time to go, I hope my plane ride home goes quickly!
