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Tanya in Japan!!
Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY IN: CITY, JAPAN
Hiya!
I’d love to say hello or good morning to you in Japanese, but my skills are below poor and closest I can offer is “Ohio” (I’m certain not spelled like the state - but sounds like it when the offer Good Morning…so I’m gonna just leave it there for you, Well, what to say…I’m currently in the future which is kinda cool. The time difference is wild and we are having 15h days with thankfully no jet-lag. Having said that, I’m gonna post up a few pics to go along with Elisa’s support. And then I’ll fill ya in on all the bits and pieces when I have a few extra minutes. Ciao 4 now, -Travelin’ Tanya |
A Closer Look At Nara and Todai-ji Temple - A UNESCO Site
Elisa's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY IN: LONG ISLAND, NY
Howdy!! This has been a very exciting week for us Travelin' Cousins as it marks the first time Tanya is visiting Japan!!
As we always like to do while one of us is traveling and the other CUZ is home-based is do some piggy-back blogging! But first, let me tell you a bit about my week so far. Monday started off great - I had a wonderful LIVE podcast on The High VIBE Show with a special feature on women's health with Sharon McDermott, author of Unleashing Your Inner Goddess - How to Experience An Empowering Pregnancy, Labor & Birth.
It was such an informative show for me! So much so, that I will have Sharon back on the podcast in January.
So, my day proceeded really well...I was getting ready for my next podcast - did I tel you that I'm doing a guest host spot weekly on The Mel Carmine Show? Yes -my first guest host appearance was all about Crypto Currency with Zester, the Crazy Cryptonaut!! Well, I was schedule to do a recorded show in the afternoon on Monday all about Staying Alivee Wellness Center. I was reviewing for the show, nice an relaxed, mind you, when I heard some "rustling" coming from downstairs. Initially, I thought it was the cats rustling in the litter box, but as I made my approach downstairs I could see that my Punkin girl had broken into a whole box of Brownie Protein Bars. They had arrived in an Amazon package and far out of reach (so I thought) from any of the animals. Unfortunately not because my doggie ripped out the box and then the product box to reveal 12 bars - ALL OF WHICH SHE ATE!! I was freaking out - not only because I had a podcast in 15 minutes, but because I was worried about her health!! $85 later and a conversation with pet poison control, I was told that I could bring her to the emergency vet or I could induce vomiting at home. (GROSS). What I didn't realize is that to induce vomiting in a dog, all you need is 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide for them to ingest. Getting her to take it was easy as I used a medicine syringe. Then about 3 minutes later, the fun began - NOT! I'll spare you the details, but, my girl was super thirsty all night and was pretty much back to normal Tuesday morning. Needless to say, I had to put off my podcast on Mel's show until Friday. 
Punkin sleeping after eating 12 protein bars and resting from induced vomiting (c)travelincousins.com
MOVING RIGHT ALONG - LET'S HEAD OVER TO JAPAN!!!
Following right along with Tanya's trip, I'll share some information about her visits. She and her gang booked a little tour excursion for which she was able to see a number of noteworthy attractions in one day. This included a trip to Nara, a must-see area located Just a short distance from Osaka or Kyoto known for its historical and cultural importance. This includes the architecture of its preserved neighborhoods, the wealth of traditional arts, including its crafts and festivals and the splendor of its eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this historical and cultural importance. Nara Park including Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Nara Park is home to thousands of friendly Shika deer that roam freely. What's more, visitors can actually feed them deer crackers called shika senbei and even watch them bow for treats! 
(c)travelincousins.com
The area around Nara Park is known for its incredible cultural heritage. Probably the most famous places that capture the attention of visitors is Todai-ji Temple.
This UNESCO site is where the Great Buddha Hall is located, home to the Great Buddha statue, the largest bronze statue of Buddha in the world. This magnificent structure weighs an estimated 300 tons. 
(c)travelincousins.com
Kasuga Taisha
Located in the east of Nara Park, Tanya made her way to visit Kasuga Taisha. The Kasuga Grand Shrine dates back to the year 768, when its construction was ordered by Emperor Shotoku (though it has been rebuilt several times since.) This celebrated Shinto shrine complex is most famous for the series of giant stone lanterns that line the paths through Nara Park. The shrine halls’ bright vermillion columns, white walls, and roofs of hinoki cypress bark contrast beautifully with the green of the surrounding ancient woods. The serene beauty of the buildings has not changed since its inception and there is good reason. 
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According to Kasuga Taisha's official site, "the “Shikinen Zotai” ceremony which takes place every 20 years. In this ceremony, the buildings of the shrine are repaired, the tools and instruments used are renewed, and ceremonial rituals are held strictly according to their traditions." What's more, Kasuga Taisha is a distinguished shrine with 3,000 auxiliary shrines across the country and 3,000 donated lanterns, demonstrating how widely and deeply worshipped the shrine is.
Next Stop - Osaka Castle 
(c)travelincousins.com
Osaka Castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks! The importance of this structure stems from a number of facts.
First, it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi–Momoyama period. Additionally, it is known for its incredibly well-built stone wall, which is impressive in its sheer size, with an estimated 500,000 to 1 million large stones - weighing up to 12 kg, - having been used in its construction. The moat walls stand at up to 20 meters tall and 90 meters wide. From an historic standpoint, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, known as the "Napoleon of Japan," began construction of Osaka Castle in 1583. Since then, Osaka Castle has served as the scene of various conflicts, and was burned down and rebuilt several times. The current castle keep was rebuilt in 1931. From what visitors say, the park itself where Osaka Castle is located is superb and well worth the visit. You'll often see street performers and free concerts on the grounds of the park. It is also one of the city's most popular places for hanami viewing parties. Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing parties, are a centuries-old Japanese tradition that celebrate the arrival of spring with picnics, parties, and the viewing of cherry blossoms, usually taking place in March and April. Sumo Wrestling Anyone?? 
(c)travelincousins.com
How could anyone visit Japan not enjoy their national sport! It would be like coming to the United States and not going to see at least one baseball game!!
Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan's national sport. It originated in ancient times as a performance to entertain the Shinto deities. Many rituals with religious background, such as the symbolic purification of the ring with salt, are still followed today. In line with tradition, only men practice the sport professionally in Japan. So what are the rules? The wrestler who first exits the ring or touches the ground with any part of his body besides the soles of his feet loses. NOT GONNA LIE - I so wish I was with Tanya right now! We are actually in the process of planning a few trips for later in the Spring - we'll let you know soon enough!! Till next time, -Travelin' Elisa |
