During your stay at Morioka, there are a couple of temples and shrines that we highly recommend you visit, even if you are an atheist or already have your fill of the Japanese shrines and temples. While they are all religious facilities, what makes them interesting and unique aren’t the gods enshrined but the unusual […]
The Must-Visit Temples and Shrines in Morioka Read More »
When the Gautama Buddha was alive, he had many disciples. While they are commonly known as the Five Hundred Disciples (五百羅漢). The number, five hundred, illustrates the greatness of the quantity. Because each of them had learned directly from the Gautama Buddha and was on the way to enlightenment, they were worshipped and enshrined in
Hōonji Temple and the Rakan Statue Doing the Big Heart Pose Read More »
Not very far from the city center of Aomori, Japan’s largest bronze sitting Buddha statue is quietly sitting in the precinct of Seiryū-ji Temple (青龍寺). The statue is called Showa Daibutsu (昭和大仏). It is the statue of Vairocana (大日如来), completed in 1984. The gigantic statue weighs 220 tons and is 21.35 meters (27 meters if the pedestal is
Showa Daibutsu: The Best Temple to Visit in Aomori City Read More »
If you visit Sendai between late February and late March, head to Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangū Shrine (榴岡天満宮) to adore the lovely plum blossoms. Just like all the Tenmangū shrines in Japan, Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangū enshrines Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真). Because plum blossom is Michizane’s favorite flower, plum trees are planted here and there in the shrine’s precinct.
Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangū and the Plum and Cherry Blossoms Read More »
One of the best attractions in Sendai that is scenic all year round is Zuihōden (瑞鳳殿), the mausoleum complex of Sendai Domain’s first lord, Date Masamune and his heirs. The temple’s precinct is filled with stunning nature, and the buildings are intricately decorated with vivid colors and various auspicious images. In fact, when Hanyu Yuzuru was asked for recommended places to visit in Sendai in
Zuihōden – Date Masamune’s Splendid Mausoleum Read More »
Lake Tazawa isn’t just a scenic lake close to Kakunodate. The lake has a legend that a couple of the attraction on the lakeshore is related to it. And the center of the legend is associated with Gozanoishi Shrine (御座石神社). Not only can you worship the guardian god of Lake Tazawa here, but there are
Gozanoishi Shrine: Where Lake Tazawa’s God Is Enshrined Read More »
Saijō Inari (最上稲荷山妙教寺) in Okayama City is a special place as it is one of the only few spots in Japan that combine Buddhism and Shintoism. It is also one of the major Inari Shrines in the country (the other two are Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) in Kyoto and Toyokawa Inari (豊川稲荷) in Aichi).
Saijō Inari – One of the Top Three Inari Shrine in Japan Read More »
For those who know a bit about Japanese folktales, you most likely have come across the story of Momotarō (桃太郎, “Peach Boy”). And if you haven’t, familiarise yourself with Momotarō’s heroic life before you come to Okayama, especially if you are paying a visit to Kibitsu Shrine (吉備津神社)!
Kibitsu Shrine – The Shrine that Represents Okayama Read More »
If you are looking for a shrine to visit when you come to Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, we recommend the Achi Shrine (阿智神社) at the top of Mt. Tsurugata (鶴形山) in its north. Not only the shrine has a history of more than 1,700 years, but there is also a super old and huge wisteria
Achi Shrine: The Must Visit Shrine in Kurashiki Read More »
When people talk about Himeji, they talk about the beautiful all-white Himeji Castle and the castle’s garden – Kōkōen. Both attractions can be easily accessed from the Himeji Station and are highly recommended. But if you have a day to spend in Himeji, extend your visit to one of Japan’s hidden gems – Engyōji Temple
Mt. Shosha – The Beautiful Mountain Overlooking Himeji Read More »
