Archive for the ‘tottori’ Category

36th Gaina Matsuri

Written by: adekun on 12 August, 2009 9:39 pm - Filed under: tottori — No Comments »

The city summer festival was held over the past weekend. Unsurprisingly, it was humid. There was quite a breeze at times and several spills during the lantern balancing. Continue reading

Tags: festival, japan

World Sand Festival

Written by: adekun on 1 May, 2009 10:43 pm - Filed under: tottori — No Comments »

Back in March on the television, there were a few foreign sand sculptors being interviewed over at the eastern side of Tottori prefecture. They were competing against each other, a deadline, and the unexpected rain. From the Tottori Sand Dunes, the centre is a short shuttle bus ride down the road.

There’s more info and photo’s on the Sultans of Sand website.

Tags: japan

Mount Daisen: Beech Forest

Written by: adekun on 16 September, 2008 11:45 pm - Filed under: tottori — 4 Comments »

Emboldened by last week’s adventure, I set off with the intention of following the popular route to Misen Peak (弥山). From the other end of Motodani dam, the Gyojadani course (行者谷コース) immediately begins to rise. At first, there’s a little weaving through forest. Thereafter, the path climbs up a ridge. Meeting another path, it continues up the adjoining ridge, passing a hut (六合目) at stage six. The condition of my boots deteriorated as quickly as the mist had appeared. Continue reading

Tags: hiking, japan, off the beaten track

Mount Daisen: Utopia and Sankohou

Written by: adekun on 10 September, 2008 9:14 am - Filed under: tottori — 2 Comments »

Yesterday, I was fortunate to go walking with experienced Tsutomu around Mount Daisen (大山). He celebrated his sixtieth birthday this year and has recently retired.

We followed the usual course past Daisen-ji (a Buddhist temple) and Ōgamiyama Jinja (a Shinto shrine) to the Motodani dam. From there we took a steep, overgrown route toward Sankohou (三鈷峰). It was very much a clamber over moss covered rock, decaying logs, disguised deep under leaves.
There was some uncertainty in view of what lay before us. After some progress the nettles became less thick. I passed a discarded bottle of Pocari Sweat and an empty 35mm film canister. It was all the more unfortunate to see the matching top several paces ahead. Joining a path, Mount Sankohou was soon visible. Undulating and curling around were soon closing upon Utopia (ユートピア) lodge. Continue reading

Tags: hiking, japan, off the beaten track, weather

Old Hino Bridge

Written by: adekun on 9 August, 2008 10:48 am - Filed under: tottori — 2 Comments »

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 »

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 »

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 manto.

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

Tags: festival, japan