Chill Walk in Narita – Temples, Food, and Hidden Vibes

Chill Walk in Narita – Temples, Food, and Hidden Vibes

Hi. Hi. This is two Japan trips. We’ll be introducing Japan in a laid-back, easygoing way on this channel. Make yourself at home. Hello, this is Laymouth. I’m currently at Narita Airport Terminal 1. Hi, I’m Marissa. When you think of Narita Airport, it’s like the gateway to Japan. It’s kind of exciting to be at an airport, isn’t it? So many people here, all with different stories and destinations. It really makes you feel something special. Yeah. Let’s make the most of it and take a walk around the airport. There are so many people around and I might be the only one who’s not here to catch a flight. You’re probably the only one who came to the airport just to take a walk. [Music] There’s a familiar plumber wearing a red hat in the distance. I wonder how many people actually know that Mario is supposed to be a plumber. [Music] looks fun. So, whatever. That’s true. Still, when I first saw Mario, I never imagined he’d become such a hugely popular character. So, that’s the Mario you grew up with. Now, we know how old you are. No, this is the one I first saw. And that’s enough talk about age. Hey there, Mr. Mario. There’s even a Pokemon store here. Nintendo really dominates. They’ve got games like Splatoon, Zelda, Kirby, Animal Crossing, and Pikmin. Stuff that people of all ages enjoy. [Music] Hey there, Mr. Pikachu. Mr. Pikachu. [Music] Hey there, Mickey and Minnie. As expected of Narita Airport, there are so many characters here that are famous all over the world. Mickey and Minnie are in a league of their own. They’re true legends. [Music] I’m [Music] This is a poster for the Osaka Expo. I’m Makuyaku. Was there something? Don’t know. That character we just saw is Myakuyaku, the official mascot of the Osaka Expo. Its design is quite bold. So when it was first revealed, it sparked a lot of debate and became a hot topic. It’s not making big headlines anymore, but its design still gets mixed reactions. I’maky. [Music] I’maky. Got to say, I kind of like it. Me, too. That’s Kavatoyo, a famous ill restaurant. I didn’t know they had a branch at the airport. I’ll be visiting their main location on the approach to Narita San Shin Shoouji Temple later, so please look forward to it. There’s a Lego store here. I used to play with Lego a lot when I was a kid. This pilot is made out of Lego, too. It has a message that says, “Welcome to Narita. Thank you. You know, stepping on a Lego barefoot really hurts, especially when you don’t even notice it’s there. I used to forget to put my Lego and my mom would step on it and get mad at me. Not that I remembered because of this phase or anything. [Music] There’s a small bamboo grove and a water wheel at the bus rotary. It’s a nice touch to give visitors a sense of Japan. [Music] It’s great weather today. All right, let’s get ready to leave the airport. What? It’s a train, not a bus. That’s right. After about 10 minutes on the train, I arrived at Ques Narita station. From K Narita station, I’m heading over to the JR Narita station rotary to visit the Kuroa Mangju shop. Kuroa Mangju is a famous local sweet from Narita and is very popular. Just a heads up, it only stays fresh for about 3 days, so make sure to eat it soon. All right, let’s walk along the approach toward Narasang Shinshoi Temple. This street actually becomes the route for festival floats during the Gong Festival. Here’s what it looks like during that time. [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Along the approach, you’ll find stone statues of the 12 zodiac animals. They’re easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. So, make sure to look around as you walk. [Music] Wait, that’s not part of the zodiac. While walking along the approach, you’ll suddenly come across this Yakushido Hall. believe it or not is the oldest surviving main hall of the temple. Nobody seems to know why it was relocated outside the temple grounds. They say even the first Ichawa Danuro and Mitoon came here to pray. [Music] This is the main store of Kavatoya. same restaurant we saw at the airport. It was a scorching hot day with temperatures over 35°, but many people were still lining up to get number tickets. The building itself has a traditional historical feel, so if you ever visit Narita, I highly recommend stopping by. The video of the eel being cut and prepared is coming up soon. If that’s not your thing, I recommend skipping ahead a bit. While we’re impressed by the craftsmanship of the chef, we’re also reminded that eating a meal means receiving the life of another living being. That’s right. We usually don’t think about it because food comes to us already prepared or neatly packaged at the supermarket. We should never forget to be grateful for the food we receive. [Music] The eel rice box has arrived. Let’s open it and take a look. As I lift the lid, a sweet aroma of sauce and rice gently wafts up. The glaze on the eel looks perfect. No doubt about it. This is going to be seriously good. This is kimosu, a clear soup that usually comes with eel. The lid was a little hard to open with one hand. I was holding my iPhone in my left hand to film, so I was a bit worried I might knock over the bowl. I might have focused more on using my right hand today than I have all month. Glad I managed to open it without any trouble. All right, then. Is that a must? That’s Surugaya. Another well-known spot for eel. It really looks so hot. The craftsman and the customers both are amazing. For sure. We’ve arrived at Naritasan Shinshoi Temple. First, here’s the main gate called the Som. It was built in 2007 as a commemorative project marking the 1,070th anniversary of the temple’s founder with a construction cost of $2 billion yen, about $14 million. I totally forgot, but the salmon gate has carvings of all 12 zodiac animals. They say it wars of bad luck for anyone who walks through it. By the way, 2025 is the year of the snake. [Music] This is the New Gate reconstructed in 1830. It’s a nationally designated important culture property. A massive lantern hangs from the center weighing about 800 kg. Just beneath the lantern, you will find an intricate carving of a dragon. [Music] Looks like the focus went to the mesh. It’s not quite turning out the way I wanted. [Music] It said that if your coin lands on the turtle-shaped rock, your wish might come true. Why do people everywhere feel like throwing coins into fountains or ponds? Maybe it’s a universal habit. [Music] After climbing the stairs, the main hall came into view. [Music] This is called kokakut and it gives off a pleasant incense scent. People use the fragrance to purify their minds before entering the main hall to pray. It’s also said that wafting the smoke onto parts of your body that are in pain can help them heal. Maybe if I waft some of this smoke over my head, it’ll make me smarter. I see people putting the smoke on their heads sometimes, but honestly, I don’t think it’s working. Yeah, right. [Music] This three-story pagod was built in 1712 during the mid ado period. If you look up from below, you can see a pattern called unsu or swirling cloud design. [Music] Behind the three-story Pagod, you’ll find the Isako Do Hall and the bell tower. The Isakio do Hall dates back to 1722 and is believed to contain a large collection of Buddhist sutras. [Music] The bell tower was built in 1701. It seems the bell is rung three times a day. In the morning, at noon, and in the evening. But I’ve never actually heard it myself. The timing just never lines up. [Music] Let’s head to the main hall. It was built in 1968. Inside there is a statue of Fudo Mu which is said to have been carved by Kobo Daishi. Photography inside the main hall is not allowed, but anyone can enter the hall behind the glass. The hall’s interior is really something special. When you come to Naritaan, be sure to take a look inside. [Music] Next is the Chicago Hall. This used to be the main hall before the current one was built. Nowadays, it’s used as a place for prayers to ward off bad luck. [Music] It’s helpful that they’ve placed these descriptions for visitors. You’re right. There’s another kokaku here, too. In this heat, keeping it going looks almost as tough as working at an eel restaurant. You can really feel its presence. It has a dignified look, which makes sense since it used to be the main hall. [Music] We’ve come around to the back of the Chicago Hall. On the rear wall, you’ll find intricate carvings of the 500 Arhats. Arhats were disciples of the Buddha who attained enlightenment after undergoing strict spiritual training. These impressive sculptures were carved over a period of 10 years by the sculptor Ryzen Matsumoto. It said that among these figures, you might even find one that resembles a deceased loved one. There are also other carvings at the Chicago Hall, and these ones are based on the Chinese classic tale called the 24 filial exemplars. Both sets of carvings are truly impressive. So, I hope you take your time to appreciate them. [Music] [Music] Let’s head up the stairs to the area behind the main hall. Many visitors leave after paying their respects at the main hall, but there’s still plenty to see on this side, too. [Music] This is the Gakudo Hall. It’s actually the second one. The original was sadly lost in an arson attack. It seems that even in the past, there were people who did such disrespectful things. They say the original Gakudo Hall was built with a donation of 1,000 Rio from the first generation Kabuki actor Ichawa Danjiro as a gesture of gratitude for being blessed with a child. In today’s money, that would be around $700,000. It’s said that he also donated that stone statue we saw earlier. Back then, it was likely seen as a sincere act of faith, but from a modern perspective, the strong desire for recognition feels a bit overwhelming. Times have changed. After all, maybe we should aim high and try to get a statue of ourselves, too, someday. I think it’s a great goal. But let’s be real, we’re just free internet memes. Oh my god. All right, jokes aside. This here is Kaisando. This hall enshrines a statue of great master Koncho, the founding monk of Naritasan. It was built in 1938 as part of the thousandth anniversary celebration of the temple’s founding. This is Kyodo Hall. It was the main hall before the construction of Chicago which is often referred to as the genraku era main hall. Eisen mu is enshrined here and is believed to bring good connections not just in love but also in other relationships. Let’s go to Naritasan Park. It’s a large garden about the size of 30 football fields built on the hills behind the main hall. [Music] With all the trees around, the atmosphere feels completely different. It was a hot day, so the shade was a real blessing. [Music] Just ahead is Senshindo, a hall built in 1928 for traditional water purification rituals. It’s no longer in use today. [Music] It’s almost 100 years old, so yeah, it definitely looks its age. Doesn’t seem like anyone’s using it now. If you asked me to spend the night here, I’d really have to think twice. I’m less scared of ghosts and more worried about the bugs. [Music] The great pagoda viewed from the park is truly majestic. Built in 1984, this fivestory tower has a time capsule stored in its basement. Since we’ll be coming back to the Great Pagota after walking around the park, we’ll skip it for now and head to the right. [Music] This is the Ukimeido Hall. If you search for Ukimido online, you’ll probably find the one at Mangetsuji Temple by Lake Biwa in Shika Prefecture. Of course, there’s no comparison between a pond in a park and Japan’s largest lake. The Chica is quite far from here. So, in terms of accessibility, this one definitely wins. It has an impressive name like Ukimito Hall, but honestly, it feels more like a simple gazebo. You’re right. The Yukimito Hall in Shiga looks something like this. This is truly magnificent. I think so too. [Music] Be careful not to fall. It was a bit scary while filming. [Music] [Music] Oh, you don’t fall. I’m not a comedian, you know. [Music] Across from the Okimido Pavilion, there’s a restaurant called Notoriite. Since it’s located away from the main approach, it has a calm and quiet atmosphere. The restaurant has been in business for 90 years, making it quite wellestablished. Despite its long history, the handwritten signs displayed outside make it feel very approachable. The prices are on the higher side, but the food seems to be very satisfying. I was surprised to see that koi food cost over $2. [Music] [Music] Here is the naran calligraphy museum. Opened in 1992, the museum houses a collection of over 6,000 works ranging from ancient sutra transcriptions and Chinese rubbing to masterpieces from the ado period and works by contemporary calligraphers. They have a well-developed English website, so feel free to check it out if you’re interested. If you turn left without entering the museum, you’ll see two signs. One of them is for the brush spirit monument. [Music] What is this? This mushroom is so creepy. There are more of these. What is this? [Music] Let’s forget about those creepy mushrooms. The other sign is for a suic, a traditional Japanese water harp. It says, “Please put your ear to the bamboo tube and enjoy the sound.” I wonder what’s ahead. That looks like it. [Music] Ramu, I’m starting to get a little bored. Marica, this is Wabishabi, the essence of Japanese aesthetics. No way. That’s way too hard for me. Got to keep training. You’ve returned to the Great Peace Pagoda. It was originally built in 1984 and was simply called the great pagoda at first. However, in 1990, its name was changed to the current great peace pagod. The change was made in response to the frequent occurrences of terrorism and conflict around the world as a reflection of the hope and desire for peace. Beneath the great peace pagod, there’s a time capsule that holds messages of peace from world leaders, including Pope John Paul II and US President Ronald Reagan. These messages were sealed with the hope for a peaceful future. And the capsule is scheduled to be opened in the year 2434. The year 2434, huh? I wonder if we’ll still be around by then. Maybe it has a better chance of lasting than we humans do. That’s true. There are still conflicts happening in various parts of the world today and threats of violence lurk close to us as well. As long as humans live, conflicts may never completely disappear. But even so, I hope the world moves a little closer toward peace. If there’s no peace, we can’t even travel. That’s right. Thank you so much for watching all the way through. I’ll keep making videos that you’ll want to come back for. Talk to you soon.

We’ll be sharing Japan in a laid-back way. Hope you’ll sit back and enjoy.