Showing posts with label temples. Show all posts
Showing posts with label temples. Show all posts

Friday, 20 July 2012

Bike Ride in the Sun

For the last couple of weeks, for the most part the weather has been gorgeous. Hot and sunny and lovely. We've been out and about in it quite a bit (largely because it's turned our apartment into a sauna). Last week, one day was so especially gorgeous that despite the fact I had work in the evening, we decided to make the most of it. Photos below ^-^

PS - British people, just so you don't hate me, the weather has now turned and is cold and there's rain forecast. You've apparently stolen our sun. And you should all read this, because it's hilarious.

Biking out of our town towards Sendai, view along the river

I'd passed this intriguing staircase before, but never had time to go up it, but I'm glad we did this time.

At the top is a lovely temple, surrounded by buddha statues and trees.



There is apparently a rabbit theme to this temple. There was only Japanese info, so I have no idea why, but the only info I can find about Buddhist rabbits is to do with the rabbit in the moon, so perhaps it has something to do with that?

Rabbits on the roof

One of the many lovely statues. 

From Buddhism to Shinto...we stopped off at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine

And tanabata had already started. Doesn't the paper look lovely?

Everyone's wishes for the next year. I haven't written mine yet, but I will.

Our bikes, with the Sendai skyline.

I would love to live on the top floor on the apartment block in the centre of this photo.

After some shopping, we headed to Tsutsujigaoka part for some sunbathing, reading and people (and dog) watching.

I had to go to work then for a few hours, so I surrendered the camera to John, who took this photo of a ridiculous car park...

...but also this lovely photo of his bike ride home.

We wanted to go for sushi for dinner, but by the time I'd biked the 15km back from school it was 10pm and the restaurant was closed. So we bought half price sashimi and pizza, and curled up in bed, and ate and watched Once Upon a Time, our current TV show obsession! 

It was a lovely, lovely day, and as soon as the sun comes back out, we're planning to have many many more!


Sunday, 8 January 2012

Calming Temple Trips

Two pretty trips to temples. Japanese temples (I think these are both Buddhist but I don't trust myself so I'll stick with Japanese!) are so peaceful and calming. I just wish I had my brother Andrew as a constant photographer on my shoulder. My little camera and pitiful photography skills just don't do justice to the prettiness of Japan.

One was up a long, snowy path on the top of a hill near our apartment.

Gorgeous views of Sendai

Simple and beautiful.

The way back down was stressful, but やった!

Trip number two, this one was bigger and a lot easier to get to. In between our house and central Sendai, a short train ride away.
Lots of lovely lanterns everywhere

Back down the lantern lit path

I like this photo the best :)