So last weekend, the entire IES group journeyed out to Kanazawa for a two day trip of sorts. We set out Saturday morning on our bus and traveled a good 3 hours to reach Eiheiji Temple. The most interesting part about the journey were the rest stops. They’re not simply rest stops. They’re not simply gas stops or a place to pop in and get coffee. They’re full out stores. A combination of grocery store, bakery, and souvenir shop all in one with some of the most advanced bathrooms I have ever seen in my life. Clean, organized, efficient. How very Japanese.
Eiheiji, a Buddhist temple. “Eiheiji is the head temple of the Soto Sect of Zen Buddhism. It was founded in 1244 by Dogen Zenji, the Buddhist scholar who introduced Soto Zen to Japan in 1228, after studying in China for several years. Eiheiji stands in the wooded hills, about 15 kilometers outside of Fukui City. It consists of over 70 buildings and structures, connected with each other by covered walkways. Eiheiji is still an active monastery with around 150 practicing Zen monks. It is also possible for foreign visitors to stay at the temple for one or more nights and follow the monks’ daily routine.”
It was honestly stunning. There was a small mountain down just below the temple that was most full of souvenirs, but we ate at a small hotel restaurant that had some of the best soba I have ever eaten.
From there, it was back in the bus with another hour ride to a gold/silver leaf sticking experience, or the Hakuokan. We all received a box, tape to create a design, then a two sheets, one of gold and silver leaf, to create our designs. I assume it should have been a wonderful sort of activity, but it ended up being more frustrating than anything else because the silver and gold stuck to everything. Still, my end result came out rather delightful.
The way to our inn was nice as well. The countryside in Japan is just breath-taking. The mountain ranges are constantly in sight, various shades of blue, and we even got a chance to drive past the ocean, which was a new but welcome sight. The hotel itself was lovely once we got there.
Tatami mats, mattresses, traditional dinner, the works. The best part were the 3 sets of onsens. Two outside, one inside, with one of the outside baths being co-ed with all members being required to wear special green towels for obvious reasons. Doing the onsen thing was one of the things I was looking forward to the most in Japan, and while we already did it in Geihanrou in Inuyama, being in an outside onsen really completed the effect. An added bonus being that the caretaker of the onsen let us sit once we got out and poured us all some cold green tea. And that was the end of day one!
Location: Kanazawa, Japan
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