Nara and Osaka-Namba Trip

For my last hurrah in Japan, I decided to go to Nara and Osaka!

It had always been my dream to go to Nara since I had learned about the significance of the area as the old capital and the adorable deer!
Also other foreign exchange students had told me that Nara was one of their favorite places in Japan.

I enjoyed my time in Nara to the fullest! I saw most of the temples there like Toudaiji Temple, ate matcha ice cream, feed senbei to deer, and ate a deer themed cupcake!

The friend I went to Nara with also lives in Kansai, so we went to Osaka-Namba to eat dinner.
I really loved Osaka-Namba the energy seemed so fun and lively, and it has actually been compared to New York City because of all the signs and light.

In Osaka-Namba I ate kushikatsu at a well-known restaurant there and Osaka famous, fluffy cheesecake! I also got to take picture of the Dōtonbori canal and in front of the Olympic runner bill board.

The Olympic runner billboard is a popular tourist spot to take photos. The billboard is actually for the confectionery company Glico, displaying the image of a runner crossing a finishing line.

I had no idea that this famous spot was in Osaka-Namba, and I was super excited my friend showed me the way there.

Please check out my photos below~

It also costed 500yen or 5$ to get into Toudaiji Temple!

Ocean Day! 海の日

Sorry I have not posted in a while! My email had suddenly gone down!

Sunday was 海の日 or Ocean Day! Nagoya has a huge festival down at the port where at least 39,000 people come every year.

https://www.aichi-now.jp/en/spots/detail/1076/

I took several pictures and videos of the dance and parade floats that were part of festivities!
At Western Carolina University, my previous Japanese professor, Megumi Otake had us learn the Bon Odori Dance. My friend told me that at this festival they were doing the So-odori dance! The performance was beautiful, especially since the sun was just going down.

Please check out my videos and pictures below!

Thank you!

Aubree

Ise Jingu

Last month, I was able to visit Mie Prefecture, which is the prefecture south of Aichi. Aichi prefecture is where I live in Nagoya! My friends and I actually were able to drive there because a friend had a car!

I had a wonderful experience at Ise Jingu, and also able to eat many famous Mie prefecture foods.
I also found out the previous President Obama had also visited this shrine for diplomatic reasons - he met Prime Minister Abe. As an International Studies and History major I thought this was fascinating.

Please check out my photos below of the Shrine and food!

Thank you,

Aubree