006: Japan 2016 day 06 | Deer Diary... Today, I Went to Sea (&) Nara

2016年 12月 18日 (日)

New day = new slow start. Previously, I mentioned that I barely explored Osaka. This was the result of Osaka acting as a hub of sorts for the day trips made out to neighbouring cities. Like today's neat trip out to Nara, a place known for its deer and home to many world heritage sites.

The hour long trip on the Osaka loop line led us to the nice neighbourhood of Nara.

01 sleeping on the train.jpg
02 a dazed masked person.jpg
03 Nara bus seat cover with deer.jpg

As the wheels on the bus went round and round, we reached the first of the multitude of attractions - Kofukuji, a temple ground. Or more appropriately, deer. As I mentioned before, Nara is known for its infestation. So while the guys spent time with the deer, I went off with my dear to the actual attraction.

04A Kofukuji temple hall.jpg
04B pagoda tower  at Kofukuji.jpg

Kofukuji, for the most part, was free but had select complexes behind a small fee. Between all the landmarks was a surprisingly large amount of open space that had the right amount of tourists: bare to none.

05 looking up a pagoda tower  at Kofukuji.jpg
06 girl posing in front of pagoda tower.jpg
07 temple at Kofukuji.jpg

Following the blue dotted GPS, we reached the secluded attraction that was Yoshikien Garden. Routing through quiet side streets and picturesque alleys, we arrived at a small booth where a nice lady took our nationalities instead of our money.

09 deer munching on grass.jpg
10 deer walking among humans.jpg

While Yoshikien was free, the adjacent garden of Isuien was not (admission of ¥900). Not that it mattered as its doors closed for winter. Speaking of, there wasn’t much blooming in the garden but that didn't detract from the beauty. Like Kofukuji, the garden was nice and empty with a calming sense of peace.

11A small house at Yoshikien.jpg
12A girl sitting under shelter.jpg
12B girl posing in front of garden scenery.jpg
11B girl posing in front of garden scenery.jpg
13A stone steps leading to house.jpg
13B bank of moss covered hill.jpg
14 house at Yoshikien.jpg

Leaving the peaceful gardens brought us back to a populated Todaiji, another temple ground. In the midst of tending to ourselves, my hawk eyes spotted some familiar faces within the ever growing crowds - the guys we left behind! Regrouped, we wandered the vast grounds... to play with deer. Nice.

15 beautiful light shining on golden leafed tree.jpg
16A deer burying nose into leaves.jpg
17  many deer relaxing on bank of leaves.jpg
18 deer reaching for food.jpg
19A deer patient for food.jpg
19B deer bowing head for food.jpg
20 deer eating out of girl's hand.jpg
21 deer poking head into bag.jpg
22A deer going for food in hand.jpg
22B deer munching on food.jpg
23 deer focused on dangled snack.jpg
25 feeding deer food.jpg
24 deer sniffing its own butt.jpg
26 deer lying down.jpg

It wasn't just all deer, just so you know... I swear!

Lastly, we visited Kasuga Tasisha, a popular Nara Shinto shrine. Like the other attractions, the grounds were free to roam but going further invited a small fee. While I can’t comment on beyond what I visited, I can say that for what I did see, it was a spectacular sight. The abundance of lanterns found scattered across the grounds were stunning. Whether they were grounded moss covered stone lanterns or the hanging cold metal ones, it was enlanterning.

27A stone lanterns at Kasuga Taisha.jpg
27B tree trunk amongst stone lanterns.jpg
29A deer sniffing tree root.jpg
29B deer trotting along.jpg
28 divide between deer and human.jpg
30A row of stone lanterns.jpg
30B moss covered stone lanterns.jpg
31A Kasuga Taisha stone lanterns.jpg
31B moss covered stone lanterns.jpg

Having had enough Nara for the day, we decided to return to good 'ol Osaka. On the way, we stumbled into some performances of amateur sumo and noh (Japanese theatre).

32A amateur sumo round starting.jpg
32B amateur sumo match.jpg
33 boys receiving their commendation.jpg
34A noh performance.jpg
34B an exchange during noh show.jpg
35 girl about to eat.jpg

Back in Osaka, we closed off the day with a visit to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.

As we made our timely arrival, crowds had gathered in droves towards the courtyard for this speech. As the speaker uttered their last words, a string of lights buzzed on, radiating its luminance and bringing to life the sea creatures that had gone unnoticed.

36 lit up whales at Kaiyaukan.jpg
37A stream of lights.jpg
37B light up crabs crawling up stairs.jpg

After that bedazzling feature, we shuffled our way through the line to purchase a costly ¥3000 combo ticket. Providing us entry into the aquarium and a ride on a Ferris wheel. Worth it? nheeeeeh... it wasn’t the worst.

It didn’t feel like it when we were moving around but, ultimately, the aquarium was massive. Passing through the typical aqua tunnel and few exhibits led us to this tall escalator to the top. Which was really fascinating as we had to progress through the facility by going downwards in a spiral as the centre was occupied by a giant tank, housing the innumerable amount of sea creatures. Adding to that, we had smaller exhibits adorning the walls in the spaces between.

39 aquarium tunnel exhibit.jpg
40 cute otter resting in tree trunk.jpg
41A penguins tending to themselves.jpg
42 two penguins fascinated by human viewers.jpg
43 stingray flapping its body.jpg
44A manta ray gliding through water.jpg
44B school of fish.jpg
46 whale shark swimming.jpg
48 group of squid.jpg
47 girl filming sea creatures.jpg
50 bottom of sea bed with sharks.jpg
51 group of crabs.jpg
53A translucent jellyfish.jpg
53B tiny mushroom looking jellyfish.jpg
54A close up on jellyfish.jpg
54B jellyfish and its tendrils.jpg
55A jellyfish bobbing in water.jpg
55B jellyfish swaying in water.jpg
56A orange jellyfish about to extend.jpg
56B orange jellyfish swimming.jpg
56C long tendrils of orange jellyfish.jpg
57A fungus looking jellyfish.jpg
57B jellyfish clinging to glass.jpg

Reaching the lower levels presented us with more exhibits, the touchy feely floor and, of course, the gift shop.

58 hallway lit with iceberg lights.jpg
59A young boys traversing down hallway.jpg
60 penguins being penguins.jpg
61 young boy reaching to touch stingray.jpg
62 touch exhibit at aquarium.jpg
63 trilobite gloves.jpg
64 sea creature lights.jpg
65A peace pose.jpg
65B staring intently.jpg
66  Ferris wheel struts and lights.jpg

The night's menu was planned for Kuma Kafe, a place just minutes from the aquarium. Ready to chow down, I was quickly on the move as time was ticking. Brimming with excitement, I entered only to be greeted by disappointment. They weren't accepting any more customers.

With hopes crushed, we headed back to Osaka central. This led us to El Pancho, a Mexican restaurant. Located in a building within a shopping complex, it can be found on the ?th floor. While most details are hazy, I do recall the elevator being decked out with stickers and tags.

Upon entering the saloon styled door, I was in awe by the restaurant's décor. Though my picture shows a well lit place, it's been boosted a few stops. It was actually fairly dim and where we were seated, lighting was practically non-existent.

67 El Pancho restaurant.jpg

I didn't like my meal... Food was saltier than tears shed from not eating at Kuma Kafe. Ordering two items was a costly mistake as the filling was the same: sodium. Though I didn't enjoy my meal, Carolyn seemed to enjoy hers. Your mileage may vary.

Powering through the last kilos of salt, we made our way home to wander the neighbourhood and called it a night. Thanks for reading and join me next time as we travel to Kobe.

Nara enough? Trot on over to Carolyn's post to see more of the cuties (like moi). Not about the picture perfect moments? Prefer visuals like video? We got you covered with Vivian's video for her vibrant vision of Nara.