Big Buddha

Friday 1st February

I was a bit dubious at first about just how impressive this Buddha (Daibutsu) was going to be. However you emerge from the trees to see it stood there weathered over time and at 11metres tall it was still quite something. Plus you could even climb inside it which reinforced just how huge it was.

I also visited a few of the must see temples including Tokei-ji, which was originally founded as a nunnery and known as the divorce temple. This is because up until mid 19th century (when women were given the legal right to seek divorce) it was one of the few places where women could seek refuge from their husbands and be granted a divorce after 3 years.

A number of the temples were also preparing for the Setsubun festival on Sunday where soybeans are thrown to drive away goblins and then eaten to wish for good health. I also saw Mount Fuiji today from a shrine set at the top of a cedar forest which was cool. Although I was out of breath when I finally reached the top.

On way back I stopped off at the food market a type of foodhall/deli which puts to shame anything back in the UK. I wasn't exactly sure what I ordered but most things were delicious with the exception of the chicken livers...

Preparations for Valentines day are also in full swing now. But unlike in Europe the 14th is the day when only the men receive gifts. Not just from their wives/girlfriends/admirers but from every women in their lives including collegeagues etc. Then on March 14th it is the mens turn to buy gifts (typically white) for the ladies hence the name 'white day'. An excuse for the shops to make more money in my opinion.