T.G.I.F.: Omizutori, Nara

This weekend in Nara, the priests of the famous Todai-ji which houses the largest Buddha statue in Japan will be partaking in a festival called 'Omizutori.' This festival involves a ritual of prayer, asking Buddha to absolve the priests of their sins and deliver a rich harvest. Of particular note is the 'Otaimatsu' event; priests run about the Nigatsu-do (nearby to Todai-ji) bearing pine torches. To be showered in sparks from  these torches is said to protect you from evil. Click the image below for more details...

Image Source

T.G.I.F: Lantern Festival, Nara

At the oft photographed Kasuga Taisha shrine in Nara, more than three thousands stone lanterns in the surrounding temple grounds will be lit up for a truly stunning festival. This is definitely going to be one for all the amateur photographers out there so why not set a course for Nara this February the 3rd? For more details, click the image below...

Image Source: http://jin.jcic.or.jp/en/travel/nara/kasugataisha/kasuga_taisha/

A Year in Review with Instagram

It's almost the end of the year and before I go on hiatus for my return to Australia for the Christmas period, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of my adventures this year with some of my favourite Instagrams from 2012...

T.G.I.F.: Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri

Over the next few days (from December 15th through 18th), the "Kasuga Wakamiya On Matsuri" at Nara's Kasuga Taisha (shrine) is being held. The festival has roots in 12th century Japan when the city was in the midst of a plague epidemic. You can see shrine maidens and adorable children in traditional costume offering up their prayers for good health and a rich harvest. Festivities reach their peak on the 17th. Click the image below for more details.

Image Source: http://narashikanko.or.jp/en/

Travel Log: Nara

As you can see, I've been hitting the road a lot lately! In just the past month or so, I been to Tokyo on a few different occasions (Harajuku, DisneySea, Hiratsuka), Shimoda, Osaka and now Nara. And it only gets worse; in a couple of weeks, I'm heading over to to Thailand to begin a 2 week road trip across Cambodia and Vietnam. I've got to learn to say 'no.' 

Anyway, I had never been to Nara before and despite sweltering temperatures it was a really amazing place. Check out some snaps below...