Travels on Mainland Japan {Part 1}

{taking the cable car up to...}

 {Iwakuni Castle}

{Stella is thee most angelic baby alive. Even while traveling!}

{Prayers hanging from trees and posts around the temple}

We just got back a few hours ago. Ah, it's good to be home! Now I'm just waiting for my honey to get back home too. We're all making it just in time - Okinawa is supposed to get hit Saturday by the biggest typhoon it has had in 13 years. If we don't lose internet this weekend, I will definitely keep you updated.

This was such an awesome trip.
Japan is easily one of my most favorite countries to travel in.  I've never felt so safe {or clean!!} or come across such polite people and fascinating landscapes and towns all in one place. We absolutely loved getting to see part of Southern Japan. As soon as we landed last Saturday, we headed for Kintai Bridge, which was built in the 1600's without a single nail {!) for Samurai. They lived in the village across the bridge and were the only ones allowed to use it. Today, you can walk across it and through their former village. There's an expansive, gorgeous park around it with tall Pines & Japanese Maple trees, streams and peaceful walkways. At the end of it, you can take a cable car up to Iwakuni Castle where the view was absolutely stunning of the surrounding mountain range and city below.

More to come... (: