We took a train to Dazifu, only having to switch trains at another station one time. The weather that day was beautiful and sunny, with a slightly cool breeze, but compared to our frozen mountain home of Matsumoto, it felt heavenly.
When we first got off the train I was surprised to see so many people out in the streets. It really was a sea of people. The main avenue was lined with beautiful shops selling everything from local specialty foods, to glass wares, and other local souvenirs. With the street full of good smells, happy people, and warm sun-light, we were off to a good start.
The temple grounds were beautiful, and to be there with Soo Jeong on such a beautiful day, was the best part of the trip. We took a lot of pictures of the trees, each other, the temple, and all of the other sights that made our trip one to be remembered. We ate lunch our lunch of okonomiyaki under the blooming plum trees. It was a perfect unplanned lunch picnic.
After lunch we took off on foot to other parts of the town, looking at the trees in bloom, the country fields, and old buildings along the way. We made our way to a museum where we were given a free explanation in Japanese, of the history of the land there. A long time ago it was a very important military and administrative center of Japan. The buildings are no longer remaining, but the recreation models, along with the artifacts on display, show that it was an impressive area.
After our walk along the temple grounds, we set off back to the temple for a last glimpse and to take a walk along the plum tree lined sidewalks. We took a train back to Fukuoka, talking about our trip and looking at pictures along the way.
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