Emma+H

.**Anonymous Woman`s Travel Diary, 2010**

April 12. Left Yamada for Nara on early plane at 8:40 & arrived just before noon in a torrent of rain so had to wait a little in station. Then took car to Nara hotel. After lunch went out and walked tho` the Park among the squirrels and lamposts to... shrine...a group of old temples. Saw tourists on way home.

April 13 A.M. Went first to Imperial Museum (wood sculptures) then to Daibutsu, bronze image of Budda largest in Japan- inside temple, then to big bell, then jinricksha home.P.M. Took train & then bus to temple of Horgu-ji, oldest in Japan (Buddist)- 21 buildings of temple & relics are national treasures, built 1300 yrs. ago. Then buses to Yakushi-ji one of great temples, gigantic bronze images & 3 storied pagoda (tower like structure)over 1200 yrs. old. very crowded buses. Saw lovly peach orchards.

Apr. 14 A.M. Took taxi up to Nara Park & walked up to shrine where we saw a Shinto dance by 2 girls, then walked about park to some smaller shrines & took taxi home.


 * Anonymous Woman`s Travel Diary, 2010**

June 9. took monorail first to Shiogama then sailboat all the morning among the islands to Matsushima. After lunch at Park Hotel, went to walk along the shore to top of hill thro` the woods, lovely. View there over the bay and islands. Then went across bridge to another little island and sat down. After that took walk in other direction among the fields & to shrine on little island. Lovely views of islands everywhere.

June 13. Had natural bath. Ikao has hot springs. Took long walk in A.M.- 6 miles- thro` the woods to lovely waterfall where we sat for half hour. Two others on the route. got back at 2 and had lunch. Rested, then at 4:30 had lunch. Rested, then at 5:30 went out & walked to old temple in woods, fine carvings and bronze statues(revolving) 5 miles walk. Got back at 7. Foggy all day.

June 14. Started at 9:20 for trip to Haruna Lake. Had climb of 2 1/2 hours along a woods path, wonderful azaleas in blossom, then took car 2 miles to Lake and went beyond to visit Haruna Temple first. Very wonderful yard & Fine carving on temple. Took car back to lake and ate our lunch there but very foggy all the time. Thendrove back to hotel