Spring Break part 3

So you know the movie CARS?!   When they cars are put into an elevator. That is what happened to our car. We pulled in onto a turn table, it turned us 90degrees and then you dove into the elevator. You leave your vehicle and get a ticket. Bye Bye car. It was tucked safely in. Then when we returned you push some buttons pay your money and your car is returned in the elevator. CRAZY! But AWESOME.

 

Then for the last adventure of Wednesday we went to see big Buddha.

 

This is not big Buddha but it is on the same grounds. This is a five story Pagoda. Pagodas were originally shorter and used for enshrining Buddha's remains. India brought it into Japan along with Buddhism. The most famous Pagoda is in Kyoto and is 180ft high. This one is 120ft high and is the highest north of Kyoto. It is made of Japanese cypress trees.  The center pillar at the top is actually hanging from the very top it helps it to be resistant to earthquakes by absorbing the tremors by swinging back and forth like a pendulum. They have never had one destroyed by and earthquake do to its design.

A little farther down the path you find these beautiful pin-wheels. Pinwheels are traditionally toys for children. The hillside is covered in many pinwheels. These are for unborn children. Their mothers come and pray to their unborn children.  They light candles, incense and leave sweets and stuffed animals for them.  They also have a guardian of the children who have passed on.

This is a statue of Kannon, if you look near his feet you can see an old man and old woman. This is a deity for older people who are beginning to forget things. Japan has the worlds highest longevity rate. They live longer, and they love living a healthy life without dementia, this protects people from dementia.

Big Buddha stands for the Japanese people to express there gratitude and Pray for their loved ones who died in war WWII. There is a place on the inside dedicated to praying for their souls and praying for their peace. This sacred structure is to lead you in the right direction. Temples are to sooth our restless minds and to lead us to peace and tranquility.

 

This path as you leave the statue is a place where you may make a wish. What did you wish for?

 

 

 

This concludes our wonderful busy Wednesday. It was fun and full of adventure.

 

Thursday morning we went to a park that reminded us of home. The good old USA. It is called Liberty Park (or at least this is what us americans call it)

 

 

 

 

What a beautiful park reminding us of America and our freedoms.

They had a rope zip line that was fun for the kids.

They also had a large roller slide. This was a big hit with the kids and they spent a long time on it.

 This is Lady liberty's baby since she is smaller.

 

It was a wonder start for Thursday. We even took our neighbors dog along for the adventure.

 

Part 4 has the last trek of our week, but it has an amazing story you all will want to read.