last night in Japan
It's my last night in Japan tonight.
I saw the temples and shrines at Kamakura today, and saw the temples and shrines at Nikko on Monday. Yesterday was a visit to Yasukuni shrine, and the Edo-Tokyo museum. If it sounds like I didn't do much in the city, that's because there is honestly not much to see in Tokyo itself. The city is more famous for its shopping, food, and people than any places or sites of interest. Especially since the city is always changing. The nearby rural areas of Kamakura and Nikko offer much more in history and artistry than Tokyo.
I took a number of picures, and bought guidebooks to remember. I also had my pilgrimage book signed at each temple, too. And after Kamakura and Nikko, I would only need five more temple visits to have my passport to Buddhist heaven! You see, you buy a special book of blank pages at a temple or shrine, and when you go to any other temple or shrine, you can have the monks or priests sign the book in their own calligraphy with their own unique stamps. When you completely fill the pilgrimage book with stamps, then you have a passport to Buddhist heaven. Well, in a nutshell. :P It also makes a terrific souvenir to show people back home. The books sold at each place are different, too. Some are more ornate, with cold leaf and bright colors, and others are very simple and plain in appearance. They usually have a nice slip cover, too. I highly recommend getting one, if you're a fan of visiting temples and shrines in Japan.
Anyway, it's my last night. I feel sad to be leaving Japan. And also, I feel like I'm not really leaving; I can always come back, someday. Going home to America is a scary prospect, though. I still don't know what I want to do with my life. Or what to do until I figure it out - a job, yes, but what kind of job? And then there's the family situation to sort out. It's like one giant headache waiting to pounce on me. If it weren't for friends, I'd be ready to cling to the gates on my way out of this country...
So, I wish I wasn't leaving, but I'm also glad to be leaving. I'll post again when I'm back State-side!
I saw the temples and shrines at Kamakura today, and saw the temples and shrines at Nikko on Monday. Yesterday was a visit to Yasukuni shrine, and the Edo-Tokyo museum. If it sounds like I didn't do much in the city, that's because there is honestly not much to see in Tokyo itself. The city is more famous for its shopping, food, and people than any places or sites of interest. Especially since the city is always changing. The nearby rural areas of Kamakura and Nikko offer much more in history and artistry than Tokyo.
I took a number of picures, and bought guidebooks to remember. I also had my pilgrimage book signed at each temple, too. And after Kamakura and Nikko, I would only need five more temple visits to have my passport to Buddhist heaven! You see, you buy a special book of blank pages at a temple or shrine, and when you go to any other temple or shrine, you can have the monks or priests sign the book in their own calligraphy with their own unique stamps. When you completely fill the pilgrimage book with stamps, then you have a passport to Buddhist heaven. Well, in a nutshell. :P It also makes a terrific souvenir to show people back home. The books sold at each place are different, too. Some are more ornate, with cold leaf and bright colors, and others are very simple and plain in appearance. They usually have a nice slip cover, too. I highly recommend getting one, if you're a fan of visiting temples and shrines in Japan.
Anyway, it's my last night. I feel sad to be leaving Japan. And also, I feel like I'm not really leaving; I can always come back, someday. Going home to America is a scary prospect, though. I still don't know what I want to do with my life. Or what to do until I figure it out - a job, yes, but what kind of job? And then there's the family situation to sort out. It's like one giant headache waiting to pounce on me. If it weren't for friends, I'd be ready to cling to the gates on my way out of this country...
So, I wish I wasn't leaving, but I'm also glad to be leaving. I'll post again when I'm back State-side!