I'd really like to get some pictures up, but unfortunatley, most of the internet cafes I go to don't have a usb connection that I can use, or, when I show up to one that does, I don't have my camera or USB cable. So no pictures for a while.
After spending a few nights in Osaka, enjoying the nightlife and playing pachislo(Japanese version of slots), I decided that it was time to get moving, Japan ain't cheap, and a day here costs me as much as a week in China.
So far I've been to Koya-san, Ise-Jingu, Nara, and I just arrived in Kyoto. Not including Kyoto, I've enjoyed Koya-san the most.
Koya-san is the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Buddhism in Japan. It's located on top of a mountain, which to get to after getting off the train, you have to take a trolley that's been built at a 60 angle.
Shingon is the Japanese version of Tantric Buddhism. In terms of doctrine it's closest to Tibetan Buddhism, but a lot less colorful, and without books by the Dalai Lama that sound like extended Hallmark greeting cards.
I stayed overnight at the temple there, attended the temples mediatation, morning services, and fire puja cermonies, then went exploring. Koya-san has one of the most beatufil graveyards I have ever seen in my life(yes, I know that sounds creepy). Actually, I won't try to describe it, I'll put pictures up when I get a chance.
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