It doesn’t take a lot of time after we start exploring to find out that everything is closed this early in the morning and that it is really hot and humid even early in the morning which makes for an uncomfortable walk. However we do not mind it as much as everything is interesting to explore and see and we can make use of one of the features we will especially enjoy in Japan, ubiquitous soda and coffee machines with quite a varied selection.
In fact it is eerily quiet this morning on the streets, we even wonder if the area has not been closed off or something like that. But as we approach the temple we meet a few more people so we relax a bit more enjoying the historical street and buldings.
And then after one more twist of the narrow road we are in the front of the main gata of Naritasan temple, the Somon gate. The entrance is suitably impressive for such a large temple and the way to the second interior gate the Niomon gate is lined by traditional stone lanterns. This early there are few visitors so we have the grounds almost for ourselves.
After the second gate we pass on a small bridge between two ponds and as we examine them closely we notice they are full of turtles and fish. One turtle has even been painted in red and has a symbol on it that we cannot decipher.
Right afterwards we have to climb some stairs to the main area of the temple which we do in our own time both to catch our breath and cool down a bit as it is getting hotter by the minute. We also examine the different nooks and crannies in the rocks which are full of mythical animals and other sculptures.
One of the things we noticed almost everywhere on our trip is that maps are frequent and quite a few are translated in English which of course is useful when visiting any attraction. We orient ourselves in front of the map and then start the visit of the main area with the Great Main Hall. As is usual in Japanese temple and shrines (as well as in ryokans and in a few other places) we have to take our shoes off before entering inside however plastic bags are provided so you can take the shoes with you and put them back on wherever you exit which is useful because most temples have multiple entrances.
No pictures are allowed inside near the shrines so we take a look at them including the donation box which is usually featured prominently and then move to the three story pagoda – the first pagoda that we see on our trip and therefore a real novelty for us.
Photos from outside are not forbidden though and we take quite a few of the different special details we observe on the Main Hall before moving on, we have only limited time to explore.
Another interesting feature in the Japanese temples are the wooden blocks used for praying. They are called Ema and worshippers write prayers or wishes on them and then they are left hanging up at the shrine, where the spirits or gods called kami are believed to receive them. And then we also have our first encounter with a squat toilet in Japan, we did not expect them to be so prevalent, it seems that Japan has both the most technologically advanced toilets and the least advanced one.
The sun is really beating down on us in the plaza so we decide to do a walk in the park surrounding the shrine, it is a maintained forest but it gives us much needed shade as we recuperate. There are quite a few shaped bushes interspersed with rocks and the trees also look to be tended closely by the gardeners.
We see a lake in the distance and we descend using one of the many footpaths to cool ourselves near the shore. And to see some tame fishes also.
We would like to continue our visit however we have to return to the hotel before checkout time. Therefore we start to find our way back, first following the shore of the lake and then up the hill. But before starting our ascent we stop near a huge pagoda that sits further back from the main area and doesn’t seem to be visited that often, the great peace pagoda.
And then up we go and then down again to the city and then through the city, which now slowly comes to live, to the hotel. We still have time to look at a few food displays, plates with model food so you can see what you get before you enter, a great invention in our opinion especially if you cannot read the menu. And then we reach the hotel it is time to check out and rent our car for our Japan exploration.
