Iwami ginzan
Written by: adekun on 27 May, 2008 11:15 pm - Filed under: shimane — 4 Comments »
If you want to see a couple of sights in Japan it usually works out cheaper to sign up to a package tour. The downside is they run a tight schedule to allow plenty of shopping time at the numerous ‘gift’ stops. We got a call the previous evening to say the visit at the most interesting point on the itinerary was cancelled. There was still Iwami Ginzan a significant silver mine that operated during the 16th and 17th centuries. After being set down in the bus park the old folk (everybody else) took another bus up to Ryugenji Mabu; one of the mine shafts.
The two of us walked, quite briskly up a street through Omori Town which housed many of the people the profited from the mines. On the way we passed a couple of temple guardians; the one on the left UN, and right A(ah). The entrance of the shaft was a welcome relief as the midday sun was approaching the thirty degrees. It only takes a few minutes to walk through and back out. You can stop to peer in the nooks and crannies, and look at old sketches depicting scenes of the mines in operation. After hurrying back we were whisked off to a rather tame replacement stop at a sand museum. Last stop was at wada-chinmi (the latter meaning rare taste or delicacy). It specialises in dried fish. I got hooked on the dried fugu at thought it would make a good gift.
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.
Miyajima
Written by: adekun on 4 February, 2008 6:05 pm - Filed under: hiroshima — 3 Comments »
Early Saturday morning accompanied (and funded) by my wife’s aunty, I boarded a bus bound for Hiroshima. Instead of the expressway we took a route that meandered south through small snow covered towns. Even half way through the four hour journey the signs outside read 0°C. By lunchtime, having been collected by her boyfriend, we were aboard the JR Miyajima Ferry. Since the island is sacred trees are not cut for lumber. Aside from the vista, the first surprise were wild deer roaming about. From the terminal it was only a short walk to the Itsukushima Shrine.
It would be great to spend more time in the autumn, when the leaves turn.
Or see the place set under a bluer sky.
The heavy rain washed away the plan to visit Iwakuni, as did the traffic to the plan to visit the naval museum at Kure. I did get to bed early though.
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.
Kiyomizu Temple, Tottori-ken
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