A form of dance accompanied by ancient court music.

Kyogen, a short comedy play. This is "Boshibari". A lord is going to town and ties up his servants so they can't steal his sake.

But the servants are resourceful and figure out a way to get drunk

In their horror, the servants see that the lord has returned by his reflection in their sake bowl

A maiko performed two Kyomai dances

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Bunraku, a puppet play manipulated by three pupeteers

Display of intricate geiko hair styles

The neighborhood shrine passes through Gion, carried by dedicated festival participants

Two maiko offer refreshments for the shine bearers

A maiko offers refreshments to one of the festival participants

A party being entertained by geisha looks out the window at the festival below

Lanterns outside a restaurant in Gion.

I've never seen this before, but it's okomiyaki on a stick! Much easier to eat on the go!

Two girls admire the lit lanterns at Yasaka shrine

Yasaka shrine's lanterns illuminated at night

Nara was littered with deer, regarded as messengers of the gods.

Kofukuji Temple

A ferocious looking stag lazily waits to be fed.

The park had these warning signs all over. Just like pokemon, these deer have 4 attacks!

A stag hungrily eyes a box of deer cookies. (for deer, not of deer!)

The first gate to Todaiji temple

As soon as someone starts feeding the deer, they flock like pigeons

Poor kid was terrified as the deer rushed him

Todaiji temple, housing the largest buddha in Japan and one of the largest in the world. The current building is 33% smaller than the original which was burnt to the ground in a fire.

The buddha of Todaiji temple

He has some ferocious escorts!

Illustration of a temple destroyed by fire.

This shrine was overflowing with prayers for love.

Deer forming up for replenishment in motion. Lima 2, 6 and 4!

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A school girl feeds one of the park deer.

Kushi-katsu, which is simply vegetables or meat fried on stick. Delicious!

One of my favorite Japanese dishes, Okonomiyaki! The Osaka-style has the cabbage mixed in with the pancake, while the Hiroshima-style is layered with the pancake, cabbage and meat seperated instead of mixed. Honestly it all tasted the same to me but I think Hiroshima style is easier to eat.

Osaka Castle. Like Hiroshima's, it's a modern reconstruction since the original burnt down in a fire (of course).

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View from the observation level at the top

Diorama of a samurai battle.

The walls of the moat were pretty impressive, and was mostly original.

Osaka Castle from the Osaka Museum of History across the street. I'm always fascinated by the new-old contrast in Japan.

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More delicious kushi katsu

Osaka's notorious Shinsekai nighlife district, much like Shinkjuku in Tokyo.