Finally of Day 5

I meant to write this up a few days ago, but unfortunately my husband started to feel ill and that took presidency over blogging.
When your are in a foreign country with minor language skills it's a little bit worrying, but he is fairing well and getting plenty of rest.
So where were we....

 Another of the Rakan carvings, this one has a beautiful pillar that is topped by a lotus-like flower. The skill and dedication of the masons who carved all of this is most admirable.
It's also lovely to have something that makes you giggle

Mawgan couldn't resist snapping a quick piccie of a sign that really doesn't apply to us, since we're vertically challenged ;-)
After quite a long walk in 28C heat and a humidity of approx 80% we reach....

Diabutsu of Nihon-ji

This is the largest statue of a Buddha in Japan. In 1969 in underwent a 4 year reconstruction to repair severe damage. If you look closely to the right-hand side you can see stone bricks & mortar. It was originally built in 1780 by Jingoro Eirei Ono and his 27 apprentices. They dedicated 3 years to it's construction. It stands 28 metres high, pedestal & figure. 

I can tell you when you are stood in front of it it is totally awe inspiring.

I took this photo whilst kneeling, to show respect for this religious site. 

I realise that might seem silly to some but I have always believed in showing respect for beliefs and traditions when visiting a foreign country. 

We were also extremely lucky to have gotten a photo of this beautiful Japanese resident

A member of the swallowtail family, this butterfly was approximately 6 inches long (including the tails) with a wing span of approx 9 inches. The photo is a little blurry because these butterflies do not hold still. The flower it's sitting on is about 8ft high. 

As you are leaving the Nokogiri-yama you pass several shrines, this is a pray shrine. On the left of the photo you can see all the prayers that people have written.

I'm afraid I'm not going to show any more images of this majestic place. Photo's can never tell the true power of this great mountain, only a visit can do that.

I will be back soon to share a few more things we saw and learned whilst we were in Japan and hopefully they will help you when you go...

Back soon

Hugs

Buffy xx

Day 5 adventure continues

After the Hyakushaku Kannon it was another up hill climb. But absolutely worth it.

This is Jigoku Nozoki (View of Hell) is an over hang that is very popular. The views are stunning and many people venture out to take selfies. You may notice a couple with their backs pressed up against the fence not far from the edge, well they had just snapped a selfie seconds before I took this shot. WARNING - the ground underfoot on the approach to the overhang is uneven so I wouldn't recommend attempting to reach the view point if you have any ankle, knee or hip issues.

Unfortunately it was a little hazy so we were unable to get the furthest view. But even this is a lovely view.

As we start our descent we reach our next point of interest. This is Saigoku Kannon.

These represent the Rakan, early disciples of Buddha. There are 1500 Rakan here at Mt. Nokogiri. They were carved between 1779 and 1798. You may notice several of the heads are missing, this happened when a revolt ensued. Some have been replaced.

I would love to show you more but I think it is now bedtime. Come back tomorrow for the final installment of our Mt. Nokogiri adventure.

I've saved the best for last

Hugs

Buffy xx

Day 5 of our Japanese adventure

So today we traveled by rail to the village of Hamakanaya.

It is a traditional old Japanese village, with narrow streets, shrines and statues.

 

It an hour and a half to reach the village by train, but it wasn't the village we had come to see. Graham had been researching places to visit a few weeks before we left and had found our next destination.

Mount Nokogiri (translates as sawtooth mountain) was where we were headed. Now for those of you who know me quite well, you will know that abseiling down a hundred foot rock face is child's play but to me a cable car is the most horrific idea in the known universe. Well

 

I took this photo from inside the cable car. Yes I am exceedingly proud of myself (although I did hold Mawgan's hand all the way up). It was no little ride either.

  This is the view from the cable car dock at the top. The small yellow box you can see in the distance is one of the cars. Each car can hold about 25 adults, although it is a bit cosy when full. 

There is a small cafe at the top which is wonderful on a hot day because the have ice-cream. Since it was 25C with a humidity of 85% I felt ice-creams all round. Needless to say Graham and Mawgan were not arguing. So 2 strawberry ice-creams and a frozen blueberry yoghurt later we set off on our journey of discovery.

After a very steep staircase we reached our first temple. This is the Jusshu Ichiran observatory

 You get magnificent views of Hamaknaya and on the opposite side the saw-tooth mountains. 

 Our next stop, was the Hyakushaku Kannon, this is the Buddhist goddess of mercy.

She stand Hundred Shaku (which is a Japanese measurement for the average length of a bamboo node),approximately 100ft tall. Many people leave small offerings, an few coins or incense.

I'm afraid I am complete knacked now and I shall share the rest of our Mt. Nokogiri adventure tomorrow. I will tell you I took photo's of the largest one in Japan.........

Back soon

Hugs

Buffy xx

p.s. to Gill, thank you for the comment and yes a craft day sounds great xx Maybe you should start blogging about all your adventures in Hong Kong/China. I'd definitely read it.