Day 7 - Nara & Otsu

We left early this morning and took the train to Kyoto. We then took another train to a city called Nara. We had a walking tour again today that we met in the train station. She was the weirdest lady ever. She loved her job and was a free spirited - nature loving lady. There were 2 others on our tour, a couple who lived in Australia but he was from Russia and she was from China. Needless to say, it was an interesting tour. She took us to several temples/shrines, all beautiful in their own way. We went to a Japanese Garden, so beautiful as well. After the tour we headed to Otsu, where Grandpa Siegfried was stationed. There isn't much to do there, its just a city now, but we wandered around for about an hour or so and took lots of photos. It was really cool for me to see where he was stationed, even though it has completely changed. Another train ride back to Kyoto and checked into our hotel. Lots of trains today going from place to place but a nice day as we didn't walk as much!

Km walked: 20.5 km (we decided it should be in km as that is what it is measured here - happy converting)

They have wild deer in Nara - they are everywhere. You can buy cracker things to feed them. They will come up to your and nip at you.

 Gate to a Shinto shrine. Shinto is one of the main religions here. There were the gorgeous cement lanterns all over the garden.

 This is the tallest wooden structure in the world. It was absolutely huge!

 A Buddha temple Todai-ji in the background. Buddhism is the other main religion in Japan. Christianity is a very small religion here.

 A closer look at the temple, just gorgeous.

 Inside the temple was this huge Buddha. You are to bow to him, put your hands together, pray and bow again. This picture does not do him justice.

 This was outside the temple. I think it looked like ET. You are supposed to rub him and then rub a spot on your body and he is supposed to heal you. People were legit doing it, their culture is so amazing.

 A Japanese Garden we went to.

 First time eating McDonald's over here. It was a safe meal we could have. Lots and lots of fish here so we are hesitant in our eating choices. Have frequented the 7-11 many times for snacks.

 Otsu

 Otsu

 Otsu - mountains in the background. It was pretty cloudy/rainy again today.

Ostu government building.