Archive for the ‘tottori’ Category

Old Hino Bridge

Written by: adekun on 9 August, 2008 10:48 am - Filed under: tottori — No Comments »

Crossing the Hino River, Yonago

A relatively long standing feature of Yonago is the Old Hino Bridge. Completed in 1929, the bowstring truss bridge was damaged in the 2000 Western Tottori Earthquake and subsequently closed. Recently reopened to pedestrians and cyclists (incl. those motorised?), the bridge’s six arches offer a calmer crossing over the Hino River (日野川); with views of the sea, Mount Daisen and nearby paper factory.

Tags: japan

Ame no manai

Written by: adekun on 6 August, 2008 10:17 pm - Filed under: tottori — No Comments »

ame no manai waterwheel

At the base of Mount Daisen sits the tiny village of 天之真名井 (ame no manai). I’m told the name of the village has something to do with an angel appearing and bathing in the water. A tourist brochure mentions it being amongst the Environment Agency’s Top 100 Select Waters. It also lists fireflies as a famous sight. When we arrived at the old watermill the wheel wasn’t turning but soon gathered enough force to slowly start spinning.

Tags: japan, off the beaten track

35th Gaina Matsuri

Written by: adekun on 3 August, 2008 10:56 pm - Filed under: tottori — No Comments »

Mantou

Gaina is a local word for big. The weekend played host to Yonago’s big festival. Over the two days the event included taiko drum performances, dancing and mantou.

Mantou team looks on

Kento especially liked the last; watching as teams balanced mounted lanterns high in the air.

Tags: festival, japan

Nichinan

Written by: adekun on 21 July, 2008 11:54 pm - Filed under: tottori — 3 Comments »

Just off route 180 in the town of Nichinan is a small set of waterfalls near an old ryokan. It’s just a short walk from the road. Inside the former hotel we watched a weaver at work on an old loom. Hanging on the walls were many traditional patchwork pieces. Coffee was served with a danshaku potato and miso wrapped in hoba. (more…)

Tags: japan, off the beaten track

Sanbutsuji

Written by: adekun on 6 May, 2008 9:46 pm - Filed under: tottori — 6 Comments »

Nageiredo Hall, Mitokusan

A little way from nearby Kurayoshi is the town of Misasa. While the town is famed for it’s radon spas, Sanbutsuji set upon Mitokusan (Mt. Mitoku) really draws the crowds. The temple’s pinnacle is Nageiredo hall. Back in 706 it is said to have been thrown in the mountain by a monk. It rests between two and three hundred metres above a steep gorge, seemingly defying gravity.
Having just visited you have to wonder. To reach it from the main complex takes half an hour; up tangles of exposed tree roots, chains and ropes. In bloom were yama tsutsuji (mountain azalea) and fuji (wisteria). The last Sunday in October the entrance fee is waived for yamabushi (fire walking festival).
At the entrance, those lacking sufficient grip on there footwear are sold wara-zori (straw sandals). It’s not difficult and doesn’t deter people of all ages and sizes - if it’s busy expect the clamber to take a lot longer.

Tags: japan, off the beaten track, temple, travel

Kiyomizu Temple

Written by: adekun on 30 January, 2008 6:18 pm - Filed under: tottori — 4 Comments »

Over the New Year we visited the nearby Kiyomizu Temple. Recently rebuilt, it not as impressive as the one in Kyoto (of the same name), but we came for a different reason, as did hordes of other people. I only got rough idea of the history and have since forgotten most of that. Over 1200 years ago some holy lightning appeared above a mountain. A temple was built at the site to venerate the god(dess) of mercy; bodhisattva Kannon. During the Edo period the temple was enlarged under Lord Matsudaira. There has been a history of fires, hence the reconstruction. It forms part of the Chūgoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.