So Day 3 was in Nara with the awesome deer. Our day consisted of delicious lunch:

… green tea mochi whilst walking down the narrow streets of Nara:

… climbing another set of stairs to Kofukuji Temple

… and the highlight of the day: meeting the local deer who strut around like they own the place.

And then we met a kindly monk, ate some mitarashii dango, and then it was off the Todaiji temple: home of the largest Buddha in the world.

And finally, we went to Kasuga Shrine, which is like something straight out of the Project Zero games. The whole walk up to the grand shrine is lined with over 1000 stone lanters that used to be lit during the Heian period. It was absolutely stunning. It was a cold afternoon when we were there and there was a very faint mist, so the whole atmosphere was mysterious and enchanting.

I daresay I love Nara more than Kyoto when it comes to the temples and shrines!

Day 4 was spent at Nagano and Nozawa Onsen, where we skied and jumped at boiling hot springs. Yowch!

PS: Bonus lucky shot of a deer at Nara Park: