Deer in Nara. They're allowed to roam the town freely, and are completely fearless.
Todaiji, Nara. This building houses a HUGE Buddha statue.
Funny town name. Gero. It's also a Japanese slang term for puking. (thanks mitsu for the vocab that i won't learn in class)
In Takayama. They tie up the trees like this so that the snow will not break off the branches. Looks like a lot of work.
Sake we drank in Shirakawa Go. It was darker in color than most Sake I've had, but was very good.
Remote control toilet!
Sake snacks. (dried fish) An older gentlemen at the table next to us bought these for us, so we were kind of obliged to eat them, about which i was not happy. They weren't too bad though. A little sour and very salty.
Our ryokan (inn), Koemon, in Shirakawa Go.
Five storied temple in Nara. It was pouring rain when I took this.
Politically incorrect sign in Nara Machi. (i didnt' go in there)
Cool old lanterns.
Todaiji, Nara.
Old toilet.
Gassho Zukuri architecture, Shirakawa Go.
Old street lined with trinket shops (japanese people love trinkets and snacks, called O Miyage) in Takayama
Sake (in wooden box) with snacks and salt.
View from the lookout at Shirakawa Go. It was beautiful!
Sign at the Nara Hotel, which is where I stayed in Nara. (the writing says "Nara Hoteru"
Five storied pagoda, Nara, at sunset.
Mitsu made me do this at the old house we toured in Takayama. it cost 100 yen, but we got a free print of the picture, so not too bad!
Entrance to the old house in Takayama.
Cypress branch ball outside of a sake brewery in takayama. I was told that they make these with fresh branches, and hang them above the door when the brewing starts. When the ball is brown, the time is right for the sake to be done.
Temple in Nara
Sign warning people not to mess with deer babies!
Torii in Nara.
Walk to the Todaiji. Notice the deer intermingling with the people.