Toji - Eastern Temple

The pagoda of Toji stands 57 m high, and is the tallest wooden tower in Japan. It dates from the Edo period, when it was rebuilt by order of the third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu.
Recognizing the historical and spiritual significance of Toji, UNESCO designated it, along with several other treasures in Kyoto Prefecture, a World Heritage Site. Today it is an oasis of calm in central Kyoto.

Here's part of out jumping series from Golden Week. Ya-know - you get a little bored taking the same'o same'o all the time and want to have a little fun. I was joyed to see the China group did some jumping shots as well - check out Ros's blog: http://spaces.msn.com/kamoshi/PersonalSpace.aspx

NICE GUYS!!! :)

Nijo-jo

The Nightingale floors, or uguisubari, were designed to make a chirping sound when walked upon. These boards were used in the hallways of some temples and palaces, the most famous example being Nijo Castle in Kyoto. Dry boards naturally creak under pressure, but these floors were designed so that the flooring nails rubbed against a jacket or clamp, causing chirping noises. The squeaking floors were used as a security device, assuring that none could sneak through the corridors undetected.







Nijo-jo began as a mansion built by Nobunaga in 1569. The castle Nijo-jo was erected in 1603 to be Tokugawa Ieyasu's headquarters when he was in Kyoto. The donjon was struck by lightning and burned to the ground in 1750. It was never rebuilt. Ieyasu's palace is filled with beautiful works of art and is very well preserved. The Ninomaru Palace was mainly used for administrative affairs and reflects this in the many offices and meeting rooms it contains. It is designated a National Treasure.

3 Girls going to the Big City - Kyoto

So, as I mentioned before - we took the overnight train straight from Niigata to Osaka...except well....we just got off at Kyoto at 6:30 in the morning.
Shanna got the top bunk - since all three were stacked together. The beds were quite funny. Beth got the bottom one which had the most room, meaning you could SIT up straight in it and still have comfy room...the higher you got the more ghetto it got. By the time you reached the top, you could hardly sit up straight w/o hitting your head. AND just getting up there was a challenge!



I was okay, I got the middle bunk! Just kept hitting my head on that DAMN coat hanger rack!

The whole ride was like some freaky slumber party! You have the girls to party with but then weird Japanese guys keep walking by in their robes and slippers, smoking when their not suppose too! This was our favorite guy - i miss him!
View from our prison windows! Bye Niigata!


BETH - showing off the nice foot wear. I've grown to enjoy the blue slippers over the brown ones - what's y'all favorite!?!


After getting aboard, we changed into more comfy clothes and well, it may not really LOOK it, but we pulled out the CRUNKY, Chu-hi, and Pringles and had a little "Watch out Kyoto" shin-dig! NICE!
hehe More to come...

GOLDEN WEEK - Here we come!!!

Watch out Kansai Area, here's comes the Girls!!!

Friday night Shanna, Beth, and I are taking the over night train to Kyoto for a 8 day vacation. We'll do little day trips to Osaka, Nara, Himeji, and Kobe. We'll check out USJ (Universal Studios in Japan), see some great temples/shrines, eat some yummy takoyaki and okonomiyaki, and do LOTS of shopping!!!

Have fun to everyone else going places or staying home for Golden Week - C'ya in May!

WARNING!!!!

After much contemplating about posting these pictures on my Blog after knowing certain peoples PARENTS check this....I thought.....OH WELL - What's a wild party without some wild photos!?!

Thus, last Saturday SHAME had the SUPER 6 Birthday Party for some fine Niigata folks! It was one wild/crazy party....so FAIR WARNING ABOUT THE PICTURES TO COME!

BUT Happy Birthday to Natasha, Joyce, Troy, Tomohiro, Mary, and Patrick! Hope you had/have a great one!!!

Natasha living it up!!!
Natasha and Joyce (two of our Birthday Ladies for the night)

Tomohiro (one of our Birthday Boys for the night)

The Swanky VIP Room which had a lot of entertainment going on that night with the Albirex Basketball Team!




hehehe Yeah!