Over spring vacation, my mom, aunty laurie, aunty kats, and aunty Sandra came to Japan to visit me (and get a free tour). While they were here, we went to Tokyo, Tochigi, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara.
This was my first time to Nara prefecture. We had one day, and decided to spend it at Nara Park, a World Heritage Site. We got there and headed to Himuro (Ice House) Jinja to take the first of thousands of Sakura pictures; it's known for its cascading sakura trees.
Himuro Jinja is dedicated the god of ice. Apparently, ice from the Yoshiki River was stored in an ice house by the mountain, and it was presented to the Emperor during spring and summer. The shrine was built over this natural freezer, but it was moved in 1217 to its present location in the city. Every May 1st, there is are ice scupltures made in offering to the ice god in hopes that he will bring on a long, hot summer which would, in turn, be good business for the ice makers.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
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