Jono and I had decided it was time we did a day trip, just the two of us, to a new place. We decided to go to Nara.
Nara took 2 hours by train, and we were really lucky with the weather. I was surprised by its slow pace and sleepy little streets, even though it is quite a large city. We meandered through the cobble stoned streets, popping into shops of interest and enjoying the hospitality of the shop owners. The first shop that we stopped
in at was a honey shop. From across the street it looked like a perfume store, with all of these colourful glasses (jars) on display around on the shelves. On closer inspection we were corrected! The shop owner gave us each a small cup of cordial, which was deeeeeeeelicious. She told us it was honey cordial, with different flavouring. Next she gave us a small spoon and let us taste the variety of honey. We tasted blueberry, raspberry, lemon, maple, acerola (cherry) and yuza (Japanese lime). Each tasting was followed by an approving Mmmmmmm with wide eyes! Each one just got better! We made the executive decision to grab a variety pack on our way home, seeings we couldn't decide on just one. The lady told us you can have it on toast, ice cream and even diluted in water to make the cordial!! Yum, yum, yum. We may be going back to Nara in the future just to get another stock of honey!
Our first landmark for the day was Kofukuji. This is a temple that was transferred to Nara from Kyoto in 710. The original temple complex had 175 buildings but fires and destruction due to power struggles have left only a dozen or so still standing. In Nara there are two pagodas, one 3-storey and one 5-storey. The 5-storey pergoda is the tallest in Japan. They were both quite spectacular and it just leaves you wondering how on earth they managed to build them and how many people died in the process?
First we took part in the "Chinowa" (passing through the ring of thatch grass). You do this by standing in front of the ring, walk through it and turn left going back to the start. Then you walk through it again and turn right going back to the start. Last of all you walk straight through to the shrine to pray. People in the shrine would hold the long rope, hit the bell with it and then pray to the gods ( didn't do this part). After wards we were given a small ring of thatch grass to take home and give us god health.
We were encouraged to join in the games which included scooping fish into a bowl with a paper scoop (scoop as many as you can before your scoop disintegrates) and hook a balloon. The hooks were attached to a thin string of paper and we had to hook the loop attached to a balloon before the string broke. Tina caught hers first and was a little disappointed when she pulled it up and it was 80% deflated! It was a cute game.
Next was the "Yudate" service. A man in a purple kimono, a black sequined hat and very big, black shiny shoes read out the service. He did it in almost a song-like style (no not J-Pop style!). After this everyone shuffled forwards. The man held two bunches of bamboo grass which had been boiling away in a pot and brought them over to everyone. He then swung them from side to side and the crowd were sprinkled in droplets of a Japanese version of 'holy water'. 
Last of all was the "Chinowa Kuguri" service. Everyone played follow the leader and, lead by the guy in purple, the whole crowd did the figure 8 formation through the ring. Many people were handed a branch of the bamboo grass for a keep-sake and to display at home. We looked pretty funny riding home with baskets full of grass!
