Crepe myrtle

What kinds of flowers do you think when hearing the word of mid summer?
Morning glory and sunflower are very popular in Japan.

The blossoms of this photo are crepe myrtle.
They are at their best in the garden of New Public Hall near Todaiji Temple.
This tree is called "sarusuberi" in Japanese.
It means that even monkey("saru" ) may slip from ("suberu") the tree due to its slippery surface of the trunk.
You can enjoy white or light purple blossoms as well as vivid pink ones for about 100 days.

They look very cute.
No wonder the language of flowers is eloquence and amiability!


Yoko
-NARAWALK guide

the Bon fire

Kyoto's Gion festival marks the start of summer (especially for people in Kyoto). With Bon fire, people feel the end of summer is approaching.

During Bon (usually in mid Aug.), ancestors have a summer visit to this world, and with Bon fire we send off our ancestors to the other world.

In Nara, this Bon fire is lit on Aug. 15 at Mt. Takamado. 108 fire beds are lined in the shape of "大(dai)" - a Kanji character that symbolizes "universe." You can observe this Bon fire from mostly anywhere in Nara Park.

Date: Aug. 15
20:00~ light up at Mt. Takamado
20:00~ concert by Nara city firefighters musical band at Tobihino in Nara Park

Also on this day!
19:00~22:00 about 2500 lanterns light up Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji Temple
* free admission to Great Buddha Hall during light up

Also on Aug. 15&14!
19:00~21:30 more than 2000 lanterns light up the precinct of Kasuga Grand Shire

Before going to these traditions, get to know the city and roads while the sun is up -by joining morning Nara Walk tours!

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

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

The 1300th year

This year marks the 1300th year of Nara becoming the capital of Japan. Nara is celebrating this occasion. The main venue, Heijo Palace Site, opens tomorrow on April 24 and will be opened till Nov 7, 2010. Here is a little review of what you can experience at the site.

TO SEE:
・Reconstructed palace buildings - Suzaku Gate, Imperial Audience Hall, East Palace Garden
*East Palace Garden is said to be the origin of Japanese Garden.

・Reconstructed Japanese diplomatic ship.
*Can broad the ship.

TO DO:*Most attractions are free for foreigners with a presentation of passports.
・Dress in Tnnpyo-style clothing - dresses Japanese wore before Kimono.

・Get a guide and walk around - there will be English speaking volunteer guides (limited in number). Also self-guiding system using iPod (for rent) is organized to walk on your own. Or better book a Nara Walk guide!
*Heijo Palace Site is registered as a World Heritage Site, but the heritage is under the ground. A guide is recommended to understand and appreciate the place. The site is about 130ha. Be ready to walk.
*self-guiding system using iPod is available in English, French, Chinese and Korean.

・East Nara cuisine - there will be food courts and souvenir shops selling Nara's tastes.

TRANSPORTATION:
・Free shuttle buses running between JR Nara Station/ Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station and the Heijo Palace Site.
・The palace site is about 15min walk form Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station (second stop form Kintetsu Nara Station).

・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・・～・

Some of Nara Walk member are working as a staff at the information centre of the Heijo Palace Site. Hope we have a chance to see you at the palace site!

Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Happy Birthday Buddha!

April 8th is the birthday of Siddhartha Gautama. Commonly known as the Buddha, he is the founder of Buddhism. Nara's Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple and many more temples across Japan will be holding a ceremony to celebrate his birthday. In some temples you can take a part in the celebration by pouring sweet tea over a baby Buddha statue. (Why people are pouring sweet tea? - Join our tour and ask our guide!)

Todaiji Temple (The Great Buddha Hall)
・Ceremony: 8:00~ 9:00
・Pouring sweet tea: 8:00 ~ 15:00　　*Times are approx. only.

Kofukuji Temple (Nanendo Hall)
・Sweet tea is served to visitors.

Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple are part of our daily tour destinations.


Sue
-NARAWALK guide

Wisdom Of Old And New From China

Expo 2010 Shanghai starts on May 1. The theme is "Better City, Better Life." While you are to see the latest developments in Shanghai, in Nara you can learn about the wisdom brought from China to Japan long time ago. Nara National Museum is holding an exhibition. The title is "Imperial Envoys to Tang China: Early Japanese Encounters with Continental Culture".

About 1300 years ago, Japan sent first imperial envoys to Tang and brought back advanced knowledge and culture to Japan. In this exhibition, you will be able to see cultural connection between China and Japan, and how Japan absorbed and developed continental culture into its own with 261 exhibits (42 National Treasures).

Duration: 2010. 4. 3 ~ 2010. 6. 20
closed on Mondays (except for May 3)
Hours: 9:30 ~ 17:00 (Fridays ~19:00 from April 30)
Admission Fee: Adults 1400yen, High School/University Students 1000yen, Elementary/Junior High School Students 500yen

*22nd of every Month is a married couple day. A married couple visiting the museum on this day get half price off from their admission fee.
*Advanced tickets are 200yen off from the regular admission fee. Sold at major Kintetsu and JR train stations.

* * * * *

More Info~: If you enjoy this exhibition, you might as well enjoy Toshodaiji Temple and Yakushiji Temple in Nara. These two temples will show you more of the historical connection between Tang China and Japan of 1300 years ago. (We have a tour going to these two temples!:Half-day Nishinokyo Tour.)

Sue
-NARAWALK guide