The Yagoto Neighborhood Walkin Course; Nagoya, Japan

 Most of this walk was through a quiet area. There wasn't too many cars or shops. Closer to the station there are some shops and the "Buratto: Osanpo Ko-su" guidebook does take you past some cafes and restaurants. But, for the most part it is peaceful.

 Residential streets

 This is the Showa Museum of Art. I didn't have a chance to go in on this day, but maybe on a different day.

 This road follows along a river that, unfortunately, didn't have any fish or turtles.

 I stopped for lunch at Samadei coffee shop. It's run by a friendly old couple. The food is cheap and the service is friendly. It has a old mom and pop feel to the cafe.

 This lunch bento was recommended to me. It was made to be on the healthy side. Although, vegetable tempura might be negating the healthy factor, but oh well it was good. The big piece of melon in the small sake glass kept tipping over, so I got lucky with this photo of it standing.

 The miso soup was very good!

The lunch set came with a selection of drinks. I chose the iced coffee and it came in this copper cup! I kind of wanted to take it home.....just because it was copper.

Yagoto, Japan: Walking Course #2 at White Beard Shrine (Shirohige Jinja)

These Irises aren't in the best of shape, but I liked how they had designed the pond. With tall green leaves surrounded by rocks and then water, it's my image of a pond.

This very narrow walkway is a public walkway! It's at the end of a dead end, but I saw a few people walk through here (originally I thought it was someones' house that they were visiting, but there were just too many people walking through here). I walked up to the pathway and saw that it led between the houses.

I ended up at this shrine. I wonder if it's a good thing that people constantly walk through this shrine to reach the street....

I just happened to notice this bars sign, because instead of "Jazz & Drinks" it says "Jazz & Booze".

I'm not sure what this is. It sits above the coin box. Any ideas?

This is called the "Shirohige Shrine" or "White Beard Shrine".

Lots of fox figurines at this shrine!

Walking Course #2: Yagoto Neighborhood in Nagoya

My first stop after getting off the train at Yagoto was this temple. There is actually quite a bit of ground to cover here.

In case you need directions of what is where this sign won't be helpful for those Kanji challenged as I am.

I am always amazed at the details put into temples and shrines.

The main pagoda.

Another prime example of the details put into the creation of a temple, that I mentioned earlier.

So, I was going to walk around the temple grounds and see what else I could find until......I noticed a funeral ceremony in progress. It's not that you aren't allowed on the temple grounds or anything (If there was a sign saying that there is a funeral in progress or to not enter I either 1. Didn't see it or... 2. Couldn't read it). I was worried that it might be rude, and the other (main) part is that it gives me the heebie-jeebies. I'm sorry if that offends anyone, but it's the truth.

So, if you would like to see the rest of the temple grounds please visit! (Hopefully, it's a non-funeral day!)

Atsuta Shrine: The Main Shrine

This is back at the pond with all the turtles and Koi fish.

I thought this couple taking a break on the bench was very cute. I think this is one of the nicer places to stop and relax at.

The 1,300 year old tree!

It is enormous and protected by special prayers to continue its life. Can you imagine the different things this tree may have been around for?

If only trees could talk....

I think this woman worked here and part of the ritual is to bow as a greeting to the work day......or I'm making stuff up out of thin air which would mean I am completely wrong. If someone knows the right answer please fill me in! I just saw this woman wearing a sash and hanging around the inside after she bowed.

This is the most popular place for people to come, bow their heads and say a prayer.

I wonder what people pray most for.....

Even from far away you understand just how big the 1,300 year old tree is.

There's always this gap on the side of the Torii gates, but very rarely do you see people walking around the gate. The majority of people walk under the gate.

Atsuta Shrine: The Roosters!

As I promised in my previous post here are the roosters at Atsuta Shrine!

I didn't expect to see roosters here. There were about 4 of them walking around this area.

This guy walked around from behind me and was looking at me like "Well, aren't you going to take MY picture?".

This lantern was huge! I had to look up to see the top of it.

Sake casks for the Gods.

There were some really great designs on these casks.

I think my favorite one is the Oni Koroshi.

In my next post I will show you the thousand year old tree and the main shrine that everybody goes to.