Today we ventured out to our first temple and restaurant. We are still not fully recovered from our jet lag, but wanted to start exploring the area more. Prior to going to the temple we researched appropriate attire and behavioral expectations. Shoulders and knees should be covered, it is customary to bow before entering the temple, and to just overall be respectful while you are there. Temples are a space of Buddhist worship. They are places where people come to pray, reflect, honor ancestors, and engage in rituals that connect them to centuries of spiritual tradition.
Ekoin Temple
We visited the Ekoin Temple, which is about a 5 minute walk from our condo. It is a Buddhist temple complex and burial site commemorating thousands of lives lost in a 1657 fire. They have morning and evening services to offer prayers for all kinds of lives.
There are also memorials and monuments for various animals within this temple. They hold memorial services for deceased’s souls (including animals). The fee for the service is simply a donation.
The architecture throughout was amazing and it will be interesting to learn more about Buddhism during our time here.
Sushi With a Side of Kindness
After visiting the temple, we went out for lunch. Dave had picked out a place, but once we got there we realized it was closed on Tuesdays. Rather than research another place, we walked towards the train station and along one of the busier streets in the neighborhood that is lined with a lot of food options. We decided just to wing it and pick whatever looked good. We saw a sign in the window of a sushi place that said “English menus available” and felt like it was a good sign.
The staff greeted us very warmly as we walked in. Such a stark contrast to some of our Soda experiences in Costa Rica. Through the little bit of English they spoke and gestures we were quickly seated and ordered lunch. Braxton got the ramen with clams and loved it. I was proud of him being so adventurous and trying the clams. Dave, Alexis, and I got various sushi options, along with ramen and udon soup. Our entire meal cost $30! We have all been using chopsticks for every meal and our skills are improving. The food was delicious and the entire experience was enjoyable!
Even Errands Feel Like Exploration
We stopped at a 7-11 on the way home to restock some supplies we have run out of. It’s a good thing none of us are picky about our products because almost nothing is familiar.
The kids thought it was fun crossing this suspended pedestrian bridge. I feel like there’s something new and different around every turn!
We completed another day of homeschool, despite our various degrees of brain fog. The kids have an assignment to research a local place they would like to visit. They have to figure out all the details regarding cost, hours of operations, and how to get there. I’m excited to see what they come up with!
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Sounds like you guys are having a blast and learning so much!
Oooo this would have been a dream day for me. You know me and my love for learning about all religions and going to their sacred places. So cool! Also, I am so impressed Braxton tried the clams!