Japan (Kyoto & Osaka) Trip Nov 09 - Day 2

Everybody getting ready for a new day - chit chatting on the train

It has been another busy day today, getting myself ready. Pretty much I am ready now I guess. (That's why I could sit in front of the computer and wrote this blog post). Anyway for our Japan trip day 2 of our Japan trip and for day 2, we have spent the whole day in Nara. You will know why we spend the whole day there in post. There are just so many interesting places in Nara. Great view, great food and great people. Everything seems to be just so nice here.

Check out the stories and photos after the jump...

The other side of the train that is kinda moody. ~:|

The shadow that grab my attention

The couple from China - they speak Chinese. :"D

Another couple on another side of the train

in the Nara station

We start out day 2 on the train... (sound like every time we are on the train, and yes we are, pretty much you could get to almost everywhere in Japan via train - just that the fare will be vary depends on the type of train you took and how far the location is). Anyway, you will notice so many things on the train if you are in Japan. (At least for me it is kinda interesting). :)

Higashimuki Shopping arcade

LB @ Higashimuki Shopping arcade

Street view outside Higashimuki Shopping arcade

Wallpaper Anyone?

A monk waiting for donation

Our train stop Nara station and next to the station is the Higashimuki Shopping arcade. And yes, we bought our first Japanese "Mua Chi" here. It is a green tea flavor "Mua Chi" and it taste real good. :"D You will find a lot of interesting views along the way while we are heading to the Kofukuji Temple.

Working hard to assists the prayers

View in the Kofukuji Temple

Trisaw man posing (and promoting his service routes) :"D

Another Autumn feel view here. :D

We have our 1st encounter with the deer. (Yes deer and is those very tame deer) at this temple. Everyone of them are freely walking around in the temple, sitting there and resting. (And of course, how could we miss the chance to take photos with them right) :"D After that we headed to the Ukimido Pavilion @ Sagi-Ike lake

A close encounter with the deer

What is uncle is drawing?

Is the view of Ukimido Pavilion @ Sagi-Ike lake

A shoot of LB beside the lake

and the birdie in the lake. :"P

One last shoot for the lake view

At the Ukimido Pavilion @ Sagi-Ike lake, the view is just nice... and you will noticed that how peaceful the atmosphere at the lake. Some old folks even setup their drawing rack while they wife is accompanying by their side while they are drawing. (Just feel like they are enjoying their life so much...). And for the photographer, it is like a paradise for them, and some bird lover photographer do stick around beside the lake to capture the photos of the bird.

Manage to get a kid for a shoot. cute kid right? :)

Providing help to the prayers as needed

Tour guide giving some explanation to the folks

Our next stop is the Kasuga Taisha Shrine. While we are there, they seems to be like a ceremony for the 7,5,3 years old kid. and all the kid are nicely dress in their kimono. (Seriously, they looks darn cute). And seriously it is very crowded during that day.

My 1st food shoot for the trip (aka my lunch) :"D~~

View of the weekend market

We have our lunch and a small walk in the weekend market while we are on our way to the Todaiji. When I see "don", I just can't resist to take out my camera again to give it a snap (yes, it looks so nice and juicy - specially the egg york and it is so hard for me not to take a shoot at it. :"P). At the weekend market, there will stalls selling biscuit for you to feed the deer as well. But do take extra precaution on that, cause all (Yes ALL of them) will come over to grab the biscuit from you (And the situation will look kinda scary) - Where a small little girl will need to go and grab a mum out from the crowded deer to save her out from the mess. :")(just a brave little young girl)

Welcome to Todaji

Welcome to Todaji

Getting ready for praying

Could you hear my prayer...

The Buddha Statue in Todaji

Some Miniature Temple Figure of the temple - and it is very DETAIL! :D

One of the 4 guardian in the temple

The display head shoot for the gurdian

I just love the light in the Todaji. Simply Superb

While we are at Todaiji, I am attracted by the architecture and statue there. It is hugh, classic and it just got the feel that I want in it. (even the lighting). Specially on how detail the statue is for the buddha and the 4 guardians in the temple. (Specially the 4 guardians, they just have the right feel of being a gurdian... they just have, don't ask me why) - I am so fascinated by the statue and in the end I manage to get 2 of the guardian figures @ the Kansai Airport on our last day. (It is not easy to find one that is kinda detail and suits your taste, at least I manage to find it. ~:")) Other than that, there are also some miniature building (a SUPER detail type) in the temple as well. You will find a Buddha figure in the mini temple. One more thingy that grab my attention is the guardian's head displayed at one side of the temple. It is just great...

View in the garden

Some plants shoot in the Sanjodori

Another one here.

Our last stop is a garden (Which I thought it is Sanjodori - after been informed by 小慧, it is not, she also forget the name of the garden already. sorry ya). It is like a garden with a lot of plants there. (But strangely, it is free for tourist and charged for Japanese) :"D, anyway, we are glad that it is free for us. So pretty much. me and 小慧 started some plant's photography here. :"P (and some mosquito feeding session as well) :"D

It is almost evening and everybody is on their way home

A cute deer god figure. :)

It is late at night after that, we get back to the shopping arcade, do some minor window shopping and call it a day. It is an exciting day 2 with tones of interesting exploration in Japan. :) (The more you get to know this country, the more you will like it).

An evening in the shopping arcade

I guess that's all for the day 2. There are a lot of photos in the day 2 gallery. (For those interested, you all could view it here). I guess I will stop processing for now. May be I will continue when I am back again. If  I got time, I will do a final blog post tomorrow. Have a great evening everyone. Cheers. :)

*Thanks to 小慧 as well for providing the name of the location that we have been to. It has been very helpful. If not this post will not be possible. :"P Thank ya. :)