Mishima Shrine is a small shrine north of the Nishinasuno area. I have been there before, but a while back. It looked pretty today with the lush green of summer, so I stopped by to take some photos. While I was there a couple of people came and opened it, and so I got a… Read More Mishima Shrine
To No Hetsuri literally means cliffs shaped like towers. The popular sightseeing spot near Shimogo in Fukushima prefecture is a naturally created valley, where the erosion from wind, rain and water have shaped the rocks along the Ōkawa river. The rocks or “towers” have been assigned names like Eagle Tower, Hawk Tower, Lion Tower, House Tower,… Read More To No Hetsuri
Unshoji – a Shingon Buddhist Temple in Nishinasuno area also known as the Cloud temple. This beautiful temple in wooded grounds north of Nishinasuno station, is a peaceful and lovely walk. The entire woods are dotted with amazing statues including an large and impressive Fudo-myo near the main entrance In all there are 33 buddha… Read More Unshoji Temple
Nikko National Park is in Tochigi prefecture and about an hours drive from home.. It a huge area containing many interesting sights, walks, historical buildings and other tourist spots. Nikko is a town within Nikko National Park which is probably most famous for its World Heritage temples and shrines. The main temples and shrines being… Read More Nikko
This lovely Shinto shrine and grounds is very close to the centre of Tokyo, hidden behind the DIET building. Its open most days from 5 am – 6pm and is a really tranquil place in one of the worlds busiest cities. The original shrine was built in 1478 in the grounds of Edo castle,… Read More Hie Shrine, Tokyo
April in Tochigi is like most of Japan, Cherry Blossom time and Nogi Shrine is one of the lovely viewing spots in this area. Despite the on and off rain, I went to Nogi shrine to see the Sakura. Nogi shrine is in the Nishinasuno area and is one of Tochigi prefectures historical sites. At the… Read More Nogi shrine & Lake
The Oya-ji Temple, is close to the Oya stone museum and cavern (separate post) and so also a bit north of Utsunomiya, in Tochigi Prefecture. The Temple dates back to 810 and is famous for a number of things, firstly that it is carved into the rock face as part of a natural cave, the… Read More Oya ji Temple, Utsunomiya, Tochigi prefecture
Ive visited Daoji a number of times,its one of my favorite temples. The gardens are wonderful regardless of the time of year, they look stunning, but each time it looks so different, depending on the season. It’s a working Soto Zen temple that is more than 600 years old – established in 1404. Within… Read More Daoji Temple, Kurobane, Tochigi
TerayamaKannon-ji is a Buddhist temple northwest of Yaita, Tochigi prefecture heading up the mountains. It was originally founded around 720 but has been rebuilt a number of times (as often happens in Japan). While I was there the entrance gate building was under wraps while it was being rebuilt/repaired. There is a 350 year old… Read More Terayamkannonji Temple, Yaita, Tochigi
Not far from Mashiko is area that contains a temple, 2 shrines and a cemetery – All related to the Utsunomiya clan.. There’s a lot of history in this one small area. Jizoin Temple (1338-1574) Okura Jinja (807) Tsuna Jinja (1194), Cemetery of the Utsunomiya Clan (1194). The cemetery has 33 generations of Lords of the… Read More House Utsunomiya
Just Life in Japan 