NARITA AND MY FAVOURITE TONKATSU

Hello from Narita, Japan! - A city where you will find loads of airline crew and airport staff!

Nevertheless, the city has a history of over 1,000 years, here you will find a famous temple - the Naritasan Shinshoji.

To get to the Naritasan Shinshoji, you will alight at the Keisei Narita Station. If you are travelling by the JR rail, you will most likely find yourself at JR Narita station, which is walking distance from the Keisei Narita. At this exact spot turn right and you will see a few stretches of roads, take the next right and you will see a couple of shops. Walk towards the restaurants and you will find yourself strolling through the famous walks of Naritasan Omotesando. One of the points of interest in Narita.

And here, you will find many traditional shops, souvenir shops and local restaurants. Here the restaurants are really famous for its unagi don also known as "eel rice" (many non-operational on Mondays).

If you see this - Omotesando Street sign you very likely are in the correct direction, but if you don't. Don't fret! You could always spot a few touristy people with their touristy outfits and touristy gadgets. Just follow them, I'm sure you'll pretty much find yourself in the right track in no time.

They sell a lot of really cute items, I didn't manage to buy anything or take any pictures because I was too shy, or maybe I was just really too excited pointing and 'waaa'hing at things all the time.

This Azuki Bean Pancake costs 120 Yen, tastes amazing!

And some Japanese Rice Crackers will be a savoury plus. The aunty kept speaking to me in Japanese and I suppose she was trying to recommend some choices, but apparently I couldn't understand anything. And I was like... "Ano, ano, ko ko...", "hai hai" and "arigato gozaimasu" and finally "sumimasen" and "nihongo wakaranai". Well we ended up laughing, the people in Japan are just so friendly and lovely.

The street is approximately 15mins walk (about 800m) to the Shinshoji Temple.

When in town check in at one of the restaurants and try some eel.

Checkout the sensei's awesome eel slicing techniques, freshness guarenteed!

Apparently almost every shop in the area are trip advisor certified.

And the waiting took 40mins for the fresh unagi meal box. Great company plus great food. Okay la, we were chillin anyways.

And here's my eeeeeeeel meal box.

And here we are at the main gate of the Naritasan Shinshoji!

Needless to say, our selfie adventure down the spiritual road begun.

Amazing view of the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple Main Hall photobombed by me on a Monday crowdless afternoon.

The Three-Storied Pagoda

And we were very lucky to be able to witness the special Goma Fire Ritual at the Naritasan Temple. I got shocked when the large drum was sounded along with the chanting. Meanwhile there were two monks collecting bags from the people and waving them over the fire. This fire prayer ceremony is a prayer to the god of fire which known in Japanese as 'Fudomyoo’ or Achala a 'a god servant of Buddha’. The prayer ceremony 'Goma' at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is held several times each day. An amazing ceremony to witness when at the temple.

Know more here: http://www.naritasan.or.jp/english/goma.html

The Kōmyō-dō

We found japanese sandals hanging at the entrance as well as on the statues. But I did not had a chance to understand the purpose of the hanging sandals.

The Daito Pagoda

Next we took a leisure 1 hour stroll in Naritasan Park. The view is spectacular, alot of Japanese people and tourist come here to do the same.

Hydrangea, the flower of Narita

and beautiful Dandelion

Stole a picture of a young lady doing yoga by the lake,

Another enjoying the afternoon breeze

And a young couple chit chatting by the lake accompanied by the amazing naritasan scenary.

Don't you just love Narita!

After the day we spent at the Naritasan Shinshoji and the Omotesando, we took the next shuttle bus to the Aeon Shopping mall in Narita. When around, that's the best place to do some shopping. They have groceries, beauty products, liquers, medication and a whole lot more of stuff. Before you leave make sure to get something to eat! My personal favourite would be Tonkatsu (Fried Pork Cutlet rice)!

Till then!