First stop for today is the Horyuji Temple. It is considered to include some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. It's a large complex which includes a five story pagoda, an octagonal hall and numerous outher structures. Even the posts in the octagonal hall are octagonal in shape.
This is the main temple building with the guards on each side.
Never pass up an opportunity to cleanse and get some good luck.
Above is the altar. Pictured on the sides are two views of the 5 story pagoda.
The gardens are beautiful.
:The gang of 10. Muni joined us for this excursion. --->
After lunch, it was on to the Todaiji Temple to see the Great Buddah. First you walk through a park entry way, through the gates and then to the temple. Along the way you are accosted by deer that are used to being fed by the tourists. Watch where you step!!
Nothing can prepare you for the enormity of this Buddah. Look at the person entering the temple on the right. Now look and see how high the second story windows are. The Great Buddah is easily taller than that. Even the statues at the sides of the Buddah are enormaous. And they are dwarfed by the central figure.
After our visit to the Great Buddah, it was back to Kyoto on the train. This time it seemed like a local It must have been shortly after school let out for the day because it was MOBBED with kids going home from school. These two girls were trying out their English. I have to say that their English was a whole lot better than our Japanese. As you can see, it was standing room only.
Tomorrow we are off to Yanagawa.
