Shitennoji

Back on track. Literally, we left for Osaka on an early shinkansen. Too cloudy to see Mount Fuji. It was a rainy, chilly day, which got worse weather wise.

Arrived, dropped bags, looked around, ate then went to Shitennoji Temple. It was the first state sponsored Buddhist temple in Japan, founded by Prince Shotoku in 593 AD. The stone tori gate erected in 1294 is the oldest standing gate in Japan. There are amazing Buddha statues and beautiful, gentle-pale toned frescoes in some of the buildings, but taking photos is prohibited so there are only outside pictures.

We also got a chocolate filled fish cookie. Fish shaped, not flavored. And a picture of a nice manhole cover for good measure.Read more