Onsen ryokan

We moved to our third and final touring destination, Hiraizumi, today and got to ride our first shinkansen.  At Utsunomiya station the shinkansen sometimes don't stop so we got to see just how fast they speed by before we actually got on one.  We arrived by noon, took a leisurely 15 minute walk (somewhat uphill) to our lodging, which is a traditional inn with a hot spring bath, or an "onsen ryokan."  Once we settled into our traditional rooms with low tables, tatami mats, green tea service, and futons folded neatly, we ate our "eki-ben," or train station bento box lunches, and went out into the beautifully sunny (and actually quite warm) day to Motsu-ji.  The whole city has so many important cultural assets that it was recently name a UNESCO World Heritage site.  This temple has the only remaining garden from the Heian Period of Japanese history.  The garden has remained unchanged for over 800 years!  It is so different from most Japanese gardens in its expansiveness and look.  At first glance, it hard to understand its beauty, but with patience and contemplation, it was really a very inspiring place.  Most of the temples have been destroyed, but we were lucky enough to be here for their iris festival.  We spent over two hours at the temple reflecting on the past 6 days and journaled, sketched, or wrote poetry to capture and process some of what we've been through together so far.  After returning, we do what visitors to onsen ryokans do, which is relax in a soothingly hot bath, wear the provided yukata (cotton kimono), and eat a wide variety of traditional Japanese foods in a washitsu, or room with tatami mats.  With all the exercise and healthy food, we are certainly going to return home fit.