The Traditional Japan - Kamea Konrad '19

Today we woke up and ate a delicious breakfast at the traditional inn we were staying at. We then took the local train to a sushi school where we were taught how to assemble traditional nigiri sushi with tuna, squid, salmon, shrimp, tamago (egg), mackerel, ikura (fish eggs), and anago (eel). We then ate the sushi we made which made it even more delicious. After this we walked to a kimono store where we were outfitted with traditional kimono dress and then we set off for the temple and shrine. We walked through the Todaiji temple which contains the largest wooden Buddha in Asia. We then went to the Kasuga-taisha shrine where we saw many deer and stone lanterns used in festivals. It got really cold so we returned the kimono and headed back to the hotel. There we were greeted by a feast of gotoku-nabe, miso soup in a hot pot with chicken, pork and lots of vegetables. It was perfect on a cold day like today. After that, we hit the onsen (public baths) to clean up and relax. We are all warm now.

The futon is very comfortable.

Delicious breakfast

Ready to make sushi!

This is how we say "YES."

Look at these beautiful sushi!

Ivanni is choosing her kimono. They are all beautiful. It is very hard to choose one.

The beautiful red kimono.

Look at the bow on Kealia's kimono.

Very happy girls.

Walking the streets of Nara.

Kasuga Shrine's lanterns. These are 1,250 years old!

The Torii (gate) at Kasuga Shrine.

Beautiful plum blossoms with deer.

Gotoku-nabe dinner.

Excited for the hot pot dinner.