kyoto Temples and osaka aikido

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Saturday morning was much brighter and left us free to visit 2 temples in the vicinity of our accommodation: Kinkajuji and Ryoanji, both very different from each other. It was all about bling, grandeur and crowds in the former and calmer more muted ambiance in the latter. Both have to be experienced!
We then headed off to Osaka, the main reason for our trip, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the creation of Shodokan Aikido.
Food on Saturday night was local delicacies takoyaki (grilled dumplings with octopus) and okonomiyaki (Japanese omelette with cabbage and other toppings) in lively dotombori area, Namba.

Sunday was a great event with seminar from Nariyama Shihan, lots of friends from Japan and abroad, inspiring demonstrations from primary school children, secondary school, University, general aikidoka, aikidoka from abroad, Shodokan instructors and Nariyama shihan.
One of the highlights of the party was the taiko drumming demonstration, while the beer was poured by friends...

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