Photos from last several days

In an effort to update everyone on the last several days, the blog was posted yesterday without images. Here are some images to help you visualize our experiences...

Hikone-jo (castle) on the eastern banks of Lake Biwa. One fine example of a castle that was uneffected by World War 2.

Looking down the super steep steps found within the castle.

Famous Byodo-in in Uji, just one stop from our lodging. "Phoenix Hall" is imprinted on all 10 yen coins.

Night excursion to Kiyomizu-dera (temple). "Light up" is done in autumn and spring at select temples and shrines to accentuate the changing leaf colors or cherry blossoms. Oh, and by the way, that stage latticework was assembled without nails of any kind (in case you weren't impressed enough).

Sometimes the night viewing is accompanied by light shows. Here is a stone garden with a dragon half submerged in blue. This was at Kodai-ji (temple).

A gorgeous reflection pond found at Kodai-ji.

An ethereal bamboo grove in the temple grounds.

The entry tunnel to the Miho Museum.

Exiting the tunnel to the bridge leading to the actual museum.

Inside the entryway of the museum.

Oldest wooden structure (5-story pagoda) found on the grounds of Daigo-ji in southeast Kyoto.

A bit of the selection of the feast of "fucha ryori," a kind of special vegetarian Buddhist meal, that we ate during our last night at the "Dojo."

The prominent "kitsune" found at Fushimi Inari.

Walking through the vermillion tunnel of "torii."

Yokota sensei holding down the fort while the group explores Fushimi Inari.

We saw Mt. Fuji from the shinkansen.

Crammed on the shuttle to our hot springs lodging.

The "yubatake," or hot water field of Kusatsu Onsen. The place where the natural hot spring feed the towns' onsen (hot spring baths).

Group shot in the foot bath outside the hot water field.

Hitting the gong at a small temple in Kusatsu Onsen.