Toilet for samurai?!

This is a sign found at a public lavatory in Kyoto indicating men's room.


As you can see the man in the picture is dressed in Kimono...looking a bit like Samurai... Well, no worry, you don't need to be a samurai to use a public lavatory in Kyoto, but in Nara there is an interesting rule to use a public lavatory. Which is you need to be a human! Public lavatories around Nara Park have a gate to prevent deer coming inside and eat toilet papers.

When you have a chance to use one in Nara, please remember to close the gate, or you might be sharing your very private time with deer...

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

P.S. For your interest, the public lavatory with samurai sign is located near Sanjusangendo Temple.

How to guard the Heijo Palace

Heijo Palace was the palace existed 1300 years ago in Nara. It was a place where Royal family lived and also where the government offices were. And sure there were guards to protect the palace.

Now these guards are back in Heijo Palace Site wearing traditional guard costumes. Everyday in the morning and at the end of the day, guards open and close the main gate into the palace, Suzaku Gate.

I had a chance to video their performance to close the gate. You can hear the voice explaining the performance in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean in the video. Enjoy the video, or better yet come to Nara to enjoy live show. You can watch this performance everyday till Nov 7, 2010 in Heijo Palace Site in Nara.



Sue
-NARAWALK guide