From the Kenchoji Temple we walked downhill to the main site in Kamakura. The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine is about 15 mins by foot and is the most important Shinto shrine. Therefore it is also the most crowded and packed place that we visited in Kamakura. Everyone wanted to see the lucky charm in the shape… Continue reading Kamakura: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and Great Buddha at Kotokuin Temple
Tag: Shrine
Takayama: Yatai, miniature temple and Sakurayama Hachimangu shrine
Takayama is known for its two famous festivals, which date back to the 17th century. One in autumn and one in spring, when 11 (autumn) or 12 (spring) huge elaborate yatai (floats), adorned with medical dolls are paraded around town, a spectacle that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. The yatai are symbolic of the… Continue reading Takayama: Yatai, miniature temple and Sakurayama Hachimangu shrine
Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Shrine
This is the most amazing shrine I've visited in Japan so far, it is very beautiful with fox statues and thousands of red torii gates lining the hills. It is one of the oldest (founded in 711 AD) and most revered Shinto shrines, and dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, sake, and prosperity. While… Continue reading Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto: Yasui Konpiragu Shrine and relationships
This little shrine is tucked away in Gion and we just found it by coincidence. It is just outside the grounds of Kenninji Temple. At this shrine, you break with undesirable things – either an unwanted partner, or just some plain bad luck. You do this at this interesting looking monument. It is actually made… Continue reading Kyoto: Yasui Konpiragu Shrine and relationships
Hiking: Lantau Trail Stage 10
Stage 10 is very similar to stage 8, as it is just a continuation of a previous stage. Apart from a few steps in the beginning it is a really flat 6.5km walk from Shui Hau to Tung Chung road, along a catchment area. However, there are a few things that set this hike apart.… Continue reading Hiking: Lantau Trail Stage 10
Tokyo: Sake barrels at Meiji Jingu
Down the path from the main entrance are two racks of ‘offerings’ to the Emperor and Empress. On the right side are beautifully decorated barrels of sake, donated each year for generations. The barrels are called 'kazaridaru', which means decoration barrels, as they are empty. I've read in one of the guide books that in… Continue reading Tokyo: Sake barrels at Meiji Jingu
Tokyo: Meiji Jingu
Our main reason to visit the Yoyogi Park was to visit the Meiji Jingu, Tokyo's premier Shinto shrine, which was built in 1920. It is also called the Imperial Shrine and is a memorial to Emperor Meiji, who died in 1912, and his empress Shoken, who died in 1914. Their tombs are in Kyoto. The… Continue reading Tokyo: Meiji Jingu