TRAVEL

pattyfloresreinhar
Apr 20
3 min read

Updated: May 3

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/7911bb_9c6d072cd48b47ca88f7e2ab3965f33e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Yokohama Station - And this wasn't even during the busiest time of day.

I believe the experience of traveling helps us develop a meaningful philosophy of life. Awe often comes from novelty. It's easier to trigger our "wonder nerve" and fall into a state of appreciation when engaged with something new.

JOURNEYS by Patty Flores Reinhart

This blog post has been a looong time coming. I was in Japan at the end of February, have been back home for almost TWO MONTHS, but life - Oh life! - has kept me busy and traveling some more. So, here is a brief synopsis of my fabulous trip to the beautiful, fascinating, awe inspiring country of Japan, where I visited Yokohama, Kamakura, Tokyo, and Kyoto.

Although, it was still technically winter, and we were too early for Cherry Blossom Season, we did manage to find a few places where the trees displayed a little teaser of the spectacle to come.

I loved all the different Buddhas. And I mean no disrespect, but I had to give them nicknames so that I could remember them.

BIG Buddha - This is not a nickname. That's actually what it's called.

Red capes, bibs, or hats (called maekake) are placed on Jizō Buddha statues primarily to protect children, ward off evil spirits, and cure illness.

Okay, so I was yesterday years old when I found out about this "Smiling" Moon phenomenon. I freaked out when I saw this in Yokohama. I thought it had to do with our location on the planet. And since I've never traveled that far East before, I thought this was just how the sickle moon appeared in Japan. Who knew?

"Wet" or "Smiling" Moon seen from Yokohama.

One of my absolute favorite things to do was to spot and take photos of all the examples of "loss in translation." If you've traveled to any foreign lands, you're probably familiar with this anomaly: Titles and names in English that look like strange results of a Google Translation.

This one is my favorite because it makes zero sense. The Japanese people do have quite an affinity for cats, so maybe. . . ?

I mean, come on! This has to be a bad Google Translate result. Would anyone intentionally name their restaurant this?!

On our final morning in Kyoto, we went in search for a place to have breakfast. How could we resist this?

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple in Kyoto is most famous for its collection of 1200 Rakan statues that represent the disciples of the historical Buddha. These statues are a relatively recent addition to the temple.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Tokyo Station - This doesn't even look real. Such an interesting juxtaposition of old architecture and new.

I LUV when my favorite things follow me on my travels!

Impromptu street celebration in Tokyo with lots of cats, of course.

Kiddie play area at base of the Tokyo Sky Tree. Did I mention that they love cats?

Bob wants one of these little cars so bad!

How in the world did they squeeze that in there? Better question: How are they gonna get it out?

I walked around Kyoto "stalking" all the beautiful people in their kimonos. There was something humorous about seeing them in their traditional dress, staring at their cell phones and taking selfies.