Japan: Day 3

We had a very full day on Tuesday, visiting three beautiful sites - a pavilion, a temple, and a castle!

Teddy looking across the lake at Kinkaku-ji, also called the Golden Pavilion.

Everyone wanted their photo to be taken in front of this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site!

After leaving the Golden Pavilion, we got on the wrong bus but it lead us to a beautiful temple on the outskirts of town.  This is Daigogi Temple, another World Heritage Site.

The gate at the main entrance.

Beautiful five story pagoda.  Each story is the same width and height as the one below.

Michael loved these small temples on the grounds that were so different from the main buildings.

After visiting the temple, we went across the street for some delicious traditional Japanese food.  Lynn ordered tempura and sesame noodles.  Beautiful!

We then traveled to Ninjo Castle, home of a Shogun and then an Imperial Palace before becoming yet another World Heritage Site.  I'm sensing a theme here!

The beautifully ornate gate leading to the palace.

Inside the gate.

We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the palace but it was filled with beautiful tapestries and squeaky floors, called Nightingale Floors.  I guess the Shogun who built the castle didn't want anyone to sneak up on him so he made the floors squeaky to give intruders away.  This didn't stop Teddy from trying to sneak across the floor undetected!

Outside in the garden, Michael wanted Teddy and I to pose in this spot because it was the same spot where we took his favorite picture three years ago when we visited the palace.

We happened upon this big group of Japanese women in uniform who looked like they were training to be tour guides.

Tiny Teddy next to the big castle gate wall.

We were so thrilled to find beautiful cherry blossoms in bloom.  We took tons of pictures before someone told us that they weren't actually cherry blossoms.  Oh well!  They were still beautiful!

The Russell Family in front of the beautiful blossoms!

Teddy was thrilled that Ripley wanted to ride in the Baby Bjorn on Daddy so that he could take charge of the stroller.

After doing some serious shopping, Mommy picked up this tiny male kimono robe for Ripley.  Too cute!

Japan: Day Two

We decided to explore the area around our townhouse on Day Two in Japan.   We were so centrally located that it was fun to just have time to walk around the city.

The large gate near the entrance to Heian Shrine.

The shrine was surrounded by beautiful gardens that were just beginning to bloom.

We happened upon a beautiful woman in a kimono and couldn't resist taking her picture!

We stopped for tea in the garden.

Enjoying the beautiful blossoms by the lake.

Teddy had so much fun feeding the fish in the lake.

Lanterns along the gate to the shrine.

Teddy in front of the shrine.

Next, we traveled to the "Silver Pavilion," also called Ginkaku-ji.

The entrance to the pavilion.  We loved all of the work that went into creating the beautiful waves in the sand.

The house next to the silver pavilion.  Sadly, the pavilion was never painted silver but we did enjoy the amazing gardens in the complex.  It was such a beautiful day and the sun was just peeking out of the clouds.

We decided to walk back along the "Philosophers Path" from the Silver Pavilion to our townhouse.  It was a beautiful walk filled with interesting little shrines and blossoming cherry trees.

Shana and Ripley enjoying the beautiful weather and the lovely homes along the hillside.

A man riding his bike came up behind us saying, "Many many cats!"  We finally understood what he was talking about as he pulled out a few treats, put them on the ground, and cats started coming out of nowhere to eat.  It was very cool for us cat lovers!

Along the walk we happened upon this small little shrine or temple.  We were the only ones taking a look.  It was flanked on either side by antique stone boars.  Very beautiful and very private!

Our townhouse was along a small canal and we enjoyed walking along it every day. 

Back at the townhouse that evening, we found Teddy playing on Grammy's iPad (his favorite pastime) and Ripley wanted to take a look too.  He loves his big brother and put his arm around him while they were both watching the game.

A closer look at brotherly love!

Japan: Day One

We flew to Japan on Saturday morning. We had to get up early and take the bus from our apartment building. Luckily, the bus leaves from right outside our front door!

Hearty travelers ready for adventure!

At the airport, we happened upon this giant stuffed bear.  Shana, Teddy and Bunny needed to get a little cuddle in before our flight.

That afternoon, we arrived at the airport near Osaka and traveled by train to Himeji.

At the Himeji Rail Station.

Himeji Castle is still under construction, as it has been for many years.  The restoration is almost complete but we decided to still travel to see the castle.  This is the best preserved castle in Japan.

The street grates on the road to Himeji Castle.  They look like beautiful cranes in the sky.  Himeji Castle is supposed to look like a soaring crane so this has become a symbol of the city.

Before we even walked through the gate, a sweet class of Japanese school children and their teacher stopped us to practice their English.  They asked us cute questions about ourselves, including whether we like to dance.  Michael happened upon a chatty little boy who didn't want to stop his conversation for the photo!

Outside the castle gates, Shana got the chance to dress up like a castle guard.  She was the only brave one in the group!

In front of a picture of Himeji Castle, with the real castle in the background.  Shana loved the little dumpling castle in the front of the picture!  This is supposed to depict the princess of the castle, but we thought it looked more like a dumpling with a castle on it's head!

Family photo in front of the castle, which is still under construction.

We got to explore inside the castle walls.  This is Teddy being silly (as usual) as we walk through the length of the castle walls.

Up close to the main part of the castle.  We weren't able to go into the main castle.

Beautiful and ornate caps on the roof of the castle gates.

Teddy being adorable beside a small gate on the castle wall.

Examples of uniforms worn by guards in the castle.  We loved the emperors headdress which looks like giant cow horns.

The Russell being silly in front of some fake stuffed guards outside the castle.

We loved that there were tons of cats on the grounds of the castle.  We thought this one looked like Monty.  On the side next to him was a cat that looked like Gennie.  Very sweet!

Viewing the castle from afar.

On the way out of the castle, the boys decided that they also wanted to dress up like guards in the castle.  Teddy was a little shy but he had a great time.  Check out Michael's headdress!

Ripley wanted to get in on the action.  He looks like a tiny samurai warrior.

Teddy loved to dress up too!

After seeing the castle, we took a train to Kyoto.  Shana and Ripley had a great ride together!

We heard that this was the last night of the lantern/light festival at a temple right near our townhouse.  As the sun was setting, we talked down the road and found this amazing floral exhibit which got more and more brilliant as the sun set.

One of the lanterns on the roadway.

A beautiful bridge at the festival.

Lights inside bamboo stalks.

A light sculpture at the festival.

Two women in kimonos at the festival.  You can't tell, but they are both on their smart phones!

My favorite picture from the evening.  The orange gate as the sun is setting.