Japan - Kiyomizu Temple & Osaka Castle

On Monday of my trip, Jill and I had a busy day of sightseeing in Kyoto and Osaka. Mikey was oh-so-kind to watch the kids so Jill and I were flying solo in the streets of Japan! And guess what!! We didn't get lost once!! We got on all of the right trains and found all of our destinations with ease!! We're pretty smart chicas!! 

Our first stop of the day was Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto.  Mayu, one of Jill's friend, suggested this place to us and told us it was her favorite place to see in Kyoto. It was definitely a pretty sight to see and there were lots of neat shops and things around there. Jill and I got there pretty early for tourist standards, and by the time we left, it was getting pretty crowded. The grounds are quite large though, so it didn't feel too crowded. It's definitely a major sight for tourists though...I haven't seen that many foreigners in a while!! Anyways, lets get to the pictures!

From the bus stop, you have to walk up a pretty long hill...some people opt for the man-pulled carriage. That guy must be super strong!



Jill with the starting buildings at Kiyomizu!

A great picture by Jill!! I love this picture!

I really love the colors of the temples, and the clouds were amazing that day!

Another building on the temple grounds

Buy a board, make a wish. There were a few in English mostly asking for good health for their families.

Jill and me at Kiyomizu

Jill with the main building on the temple grounds

Some special springs that people lined up to drink from...Jill & I didn't!

Outside of the temple, this man was standing with a bowl for money...not quite sure of all of the details!

After exploring Kiyomizu, Jill and I took an interesting train ride to Osaka to visit Osaka Castle. A person on the train approached Jill and asked her to be the person's best friend. It was a little creepy, so Jill and I changed train cars as soon as we could!! I applaude the person's courage but it was a little on the creepy side. At least it provided a good laugh for us!

Outside of Osaka Castle

Inside of the castle, they had some costumes that you could pay to try on. Of course, we just had to do it and it was quite humorous! Jill looked awesome in her costume!

Outside of the castle, there were some more great photo ops!! Little did I know that I was putting my head in the man's body!! Haha!

Love this one of Jill & me!!

The sun was setting when we were leaving and it cast a nice glow on the castle!

That concludes our day...more pictures to come soon!

Japan - Lake Stars Basketball

Another exciting thing that I got to experience while I was in Japan was seeing Mikey play. I never got to see him play while he was at Texas Tech, but I always heard about him from one of my college classmates (What up Will!!)...so I couldn't wait to see the man in action! Mikey plays for the Shiga Lake Stars and I believe they're currently tied for first in their division. I got to see two wins while I was there, so that was even more exciting!! Here are a few pictures from the games!

Jill with Camdon & Mecailin heading to the game

Look who's on his own shirt!

Me, Mecailin & Camdon with Magnee...the Lake Stars' mascot

Tip off!!

The opposing team's sponsor made me laugh!

Mecailin having fun at the game!

Jill & I with her man!

Lovin' being at the game!

Camdon is such a little cutie!

I love this picture of Jill, Camdon, and me!

Sarah with one of her twins...Sol

Mecailin had fun drawing during the game

And of course a win for the Lake Stars!

On the second day, there was a neat drum show during halftime

Camdon being the little stud that he is!

It was lots of fun and I really enjoying being back inside of a basketball gym! I love watching basketball so it was great for me!! Maybe I'll have to check out basketball in Korea and see how it compares!!

Japan - Fushimi Inari w/Jill & Sarah

As most of you know, I've just returned from a week-long vacation to Japan...and let me tell you, it was one of the best vacations I've had! It was so much fun, and I had a wonderful time! I feel like I made so many great memories, and I couldn't be happier with the vacation!!



A few months ago, I found out than an old friend of mine (and also fellow Wayland alum), Jill Stout Marshall, was going to be in Japan at the same time I was going to be in Korea. Since Korea & Japan are neighbors from across the sea, we thought it'd be a great opportunity to reunite and explore some of Japan together. Before this past week, I hadn't actually seen Jill in about 6 years...yea, crazy I know!! It was so great to see Jill and finally meet her husband, Mikey, and her adorable children, Mecailin & Camdon. We had so much fun together, reminiscing about old memories and making new ones together! I feel so blessed that I was able to spend the week with the Marshalls and couldn't ask for a more hospitable family!

So this blog begins a short series of blogs covering my trip to Japan. The first full day that I was there, we (Jill, Sarah [Jill's friend & fellow basketball wife], & myself) spent the morning exploring what was probably my favorite sight in Japan...Fushimi Inari Shrine. It was so amazing and I hope you can get a sense of the place from the pictures. If you're ever in Kyoto, please go to this place because it's really incredible!

We started the morning at a cute little coffee that is owned and operated by the mother of the Lake Star's announcer. She was so sweet and the coffee was delicious! It was the perfect start to our morning!

Jill & Sarah ready to explore Fushimi Inari

So from my understanding, businesses buy these torii gates (huge orange things) for luck to their businesses...and let me tell you, there are tons of them!! Here's Jill inside some of the huge ones!



 The three of us near a lake on the shrine grounds. I love this picture!



The torii gates got smaller but more abundant!

Such a cool feeling being under all of them!

Me and Jill enjoying the sights!

Posing in the sea of orange

We stopped for a little break and to enjoying some udon noodles....they were so yummy!! And who can resist a chopstick walrus!! 

Jill looking as beautiful as always with the udon noodles!

Yum!!

Ready to go through more of the torii!

Love the orange & black! (Let's Go Bears!)

There were lots of places to make wishes at the shrine. I am not sure of all of the different meanings, but it was interesting to see.

Omokaruishi -- lift the rock, if it feels light, your wish comes true...pretty sure Jill's didn't! Haha!

More torii gates!

Hilarious 'how-to' for use of the squatter toilets!

The lanterns are so pretty!

Lots of the statues had aprons or bibs or something...again, something I don't know about but picture-worthy!

One last look at Fushimi Inari

Some really yummy snacks on the way out of the shrine...they were filled with bean paste or custard and both were delicious!! (And yes, better than 붕어빵!!)

Jill & Sarah on the train ride home

It was such a spectular start to my trip and a great 'girls' day!! More pictures to come!!