Temple book at Building for Shotoku

The inscription emphasizes human harmony.

Donated Tile

Tile donated for the new roof as part of the restoration of Todaiji temple in Nara.

Big Old Bell

Old bell in Nara. It's over 1,300 years old.

Fall Color at Koya-san

Spectacular fall color at Koyasan, Japan. Golden ginko and crimson maple glow in the sunshine.

Temple Book

Monk inscribing a temple book. A pilgrim's ritual!

Magic at Koyasan

Moon over the pagoda of Konpon Daito, Koyasan.

Good night

Comfort for the night at Sekishoin at Koyasan. This is an example of the accommodations offered at "shukubo," or "temple lodgings."

Surprise at Koyasan

Here at Koyasan, a memorial to termites erected by a pesticide company. Who knew?!?

Lunch in Himeji

Lunch at Zebra Restaurant in Himeji- grilled lamb with a sweet red pepper sauce! A take on piri-piri sauce? The chef cooked for the Japanese Embassy in Zimbabwe and Ghana and returned to Japan to establish Zebra Restaurant.

Himeji-jo

Beautiful day at Himeji Castle (Himeji-jo)! This castle is a World Heritage Site.

Shinkansen

Susan and Machiko-san on board the Shinkansen! Smooth ride on the rails from Kyoto to Himeji.

Kiyomizudera

The group at Kiyomizudera, Kyoto.

Breakfast at the New Miyako

Japanese breakfast in the Japanese restaurant in the New Miyako Hotel. Cooked squash (upper left). Next to it is salmon and then a selection of pickles. Miso soup (bottom right) and a bowl of go-han (rice)!

We are in Japan

We have arrived Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto

Gold

Golden sunshine on the Golden Pavillion

United 488 from SFO

Great day to fly to Japan! Non-stop from San Francisco to Kansai International, Osaka.