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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome back to JapanesePod101.com.
I’m Eric.
In this lesson we will talk about the ​"Top 5 tourist spots in Japan".
The first topic on the list is the (J: Fushimi Inari) shrine in Kyoto, which is often ranked within Japan’s top attraction for foreign tourists.
This shrine was built some 1,300 years ago, and it
is famous for its thousands of vermilion (J: torii) or gates that arch over a narrow and twisting path
up the hill to the main shrine complex.
After a few hours of walking along the whole (j: torii) or gate trail, you can enjoy wonderful views of Kyoto city from the top of the mountain.
The next topic is the Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Museum, known as
(J: Hiroshima Heiwa Kinen Shiryokan).
This museum was built to show how Hiroshima was
devastated after the atomic bomb attack in
1945, and as a symbol to wish for a peaceful
future.
The museum’s displays includes photos and
belongings left by the victims, as well as a
life-sized diorama of the bomb victims to show the tragedy of the event.
The museum is known to be very balanced in its
presentation of the controversial event, and
well worth a visit regardless of your nationality.
The next topic is about a magnificent
floating shrine, called (J: Itsukushima Jinjya)
shrine in Hiroshima.
This shrine, built about 900 years ago, is
well-known for its architectural beauty and its
structure of being built in the sea.
During high tide, the shrine and its 16-meter-high
“great gate” appear to be floating on the water.
When the tide is low, you can walk closer to the
gate to experience its magnificence.
The next topic is the gold-plated
temple, known as (J: Kinkakuji) in Kyoto.
Formally known as (J: Rokuonji), the temple was
originally built in the 14th century as a
retirement villa for (J: Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu).
The villa is said to be designed to realize Buddhist
paradise on earth, and each gold leaf has
been hand-crafted and applied by specialists.
On a clear day, you can enjoy the striking beauty of
the reflection of the golden pavilion on the calm
pond. The temple also looks elegant when it is
covered in a blanket of snow.
Last but not least is the (J:
Todai-ji) temple in Nara Prefecture.
Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, this temple was built in the 8th century by
the Emperor (J: Shomu tenno) to protect the country against
horrible epidemics and disasters.
(J: Todaiji) is famous for its Great statue of Buddha
which is known as (J: Nara no Daibutsu). It is
18 meters high, and is the tallest bronze statue
of Buddha in Japan.
Another popular attraction is a rear pillar of the
temple that has a small hole in its base.
Legend says that the size of the hole is the same as
the Great Buddha’s nostrils, and if you could
squeeze through this hole, you could attain
enlightenment in your next life.
That’s all we have for this lesson.
Japan has a lot to do and see, but where would you like to go the most?
Leave us a comment and let us know!
Thank you for listening and we’ll see you next time. Until then, bye!

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