Category: Shrine and Temple

Posted in Feelings, Food, Mt. Fuji, Nature, Place, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Sunrise and Sunset, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Mt. Fuji and Odaiba

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friend treated me a kebab for breakfast @ Asian Kebab, Roppongi.


I ordered Otsumami (snacks); this menu is Kebab meat and cabbage only (no rice or a pita bread).

It’s delicious and good portion.

I think I will take out this when I feel lazy to cook. hahaha


I took Chuo Highway to Mt. Fuji 5th Station.

We can go up to 5th Station by car.

There is a rest area to take a break and to admire Mt. Fuji. 


Rest area. 



Restaurant


The menu is displayed.


But purchasing meal tickets is challenging because words are written in Japanese. Hummm


I had a shaved ice.


There is a local Mt. Fuji Beer vending machine.

I bought one for my sourvenir.



If you run out Japanese yen, don’t worry.

There is a money changer machine for many currencies.

The service is better than ordinary banks.


I prayed Fujisan Komitake Jinjya (Mt. Fuji Komitake Shrine).




We can also admire a lake view.

I think this is Kawaguchiko (Kawaguchi Lake).


I enjoyed being ON the Mt. Fuji, but I struggle with a traffic jam. Ahhhh

It was 7 pm when we arrived Tokyo; therefore, decided to go to Odaiba for ocean view and dinner.



Kaisendon (Seafood Bowl) for dinner @ Genchan, Odaiba.


After getting energy, walked the area to enjoy night view of Tokyo Bay.





It is not my first time to post about Mt. Fuji and Odaiba.

Well, these are my favorite places; I will continue to post whenever I can to share the view of the day with you.

Posted in Exercise, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Pilgrimage, Place, Shrine and Temple, Travel

The Second Trip to the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (3rd Day)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, we are scheduled to visit 4 temples and needed some energy.

As mentioned yesterday, the exterior of hotel is very western; but a room is Japanese style.

No. 25 Banshu Kiyomizudera (Banshu Kiyomizu Temple)


We stopped by at Yakushido: God for health.



There are twelve gods of Chinese Zodiacs.

These are designed by Mr. Satoshi Yabuuchi who designed Nara’s Mascot: Sentokun.


We prayed at Daikodo (auditorium).


We visited Konpon Chudo (Main Hall).


Then visited Konjosui. 

This temple is named Kiyomizu (clear water) because of this well.

When you look into the well, if you can see your face, you receive additional three years to live; if you cannot see your face….otherwise….

I’m happy to see my face on the water.


No. 27 Engyoji (Engyo Temple)

Engyoji is located on the summit of Shoshazan (Mt. Shosha).


First, we need to catch a rope way.

Then catch a bus.


We prayed at Maniden (Wish Hall).


Then we went to the area where Jyogyodo (a stage), Jikido (cafeteria) and Daikodo (auditorium).

Jyogyodo might look familiar because Last Samurai was filmed here!


Jikido


Daikodo


We walked further to Okunoin.


This is Kaizando where shrines Shoku Shonin who opened this temple.


At the four corners, there suppose to be four Rikishi (heavyweight wrestlers) to hold a heavy roof; but one ran away.


We had late lunch, local food: Himeji Oden (fish cakes and others in soup. In this region, they eat with ginger soysauce).


No. 16 Ichijoji (Ichijo Temple)

There are few stairs…


We can enjoy a unique scenery: looking down the three-stories Pagoda here.

Some maples are already in red even it’s still spring…?


No. 24 Nakayamadera (Nakayama Temple)

The last temple of this trip.


At back of the gate, two dogs are protecting this temple.


This temple is for pregnant women; therefore, this temple is equipped with escalators.

This is my first time to try an escalator at the temple!



Fun time flys fast.

It’s time to return home.


On the way back, I enjoyed Kansai cuisine obento (packed food).



I also enjoyed nice dessert, actually this is a survivor for Dad. 



It was fun and I’m charged! 

But, now I’m ready to go to bed. Zzzzzz

Posted in Exercise, Family, Feelings, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Mt. Fuji, Pilgrimage, Place, Shrine and Temple, Travel

The Second Trip to the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage 

Posted on by sonokotchi

I woke up early at 5 am to visit Kusuhara Jingu (Kusuhara Shrine) before departs for temples.

It’s a power spot.

This Shrine was built in 1890 to shrine the first emperor, Jinmu Tennoh (Emperor Jinmu).

This street leads straight to the shrine; therefore, this is Omotesando (Main Street to the Shrine) for Kashihara Jingu.

It looks different from Omotesando in Tokyo.


Soon I reached Torii (gate) of Kashihara Jingu.


Getting excited to walk through more gates.

Finally, reached to the main building!

It’s so quiet and peaceful in the morning.


Local people gather from morning to exercise together at the shrine.

So nice.


I’m glad that I woke early to visit this beautiful shrine.

I returned to hotel and went to take my breakfast.

I was hungry.


We departed Kashihara Royal Hotel for Sefukuji (Sefuku Temple).


This is Katsurayama (Mt. Katsurayama).

This mountain often appears in Japanese poem, Manyo.


No. 4 Sefukuji (Sefuku Temple)

I need to be fit to visit this temple because there are many stairs!





This temple is for health, especially legs and back.

Yes, climbing these stairs is a good exercise.

Today, we had obento (packed lunch) for lunch.


The lunch was delicious and just right – many varieties and right portion.


No. 23 Katsuohji (Katsuoh Temple)

This is front of gate with the name of mountain.


At the back of the gate, a board of temple’s name in original kanji (Chinese character). 

This temple is for victory; in 880, Buddhist Priest cured Seiwa Tennoh (Emperor Seiwa) by defeating illness.


Daruma (this) is a good luck charm to make a wish come true.

These Daruma successfully made a wish come true.


The garden is so beautiful.


This is the main building.


Extra Temple Kazanin

This is the last temple of the day.



This is Arima Fuji (Mt. Arima Fuji), Mt. Fuji in west Japan.

We can look down this Mt. Fuji! hahaha


Looking up Arima Fuji.


Checked-in Fruit Flower Hotel.

This hotel is part of Fruit Flower Patk.

The exterior of hotel is very western, but a room is Japanese style with futons.



I had buffet dinner and ate many dishes.


After dinner, watched a New Half (shemale) Show.


It’s been a long day today.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Flower, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Mt. Fuji, Pilgrimage, Place, River, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Travel

The Second Trip of the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage 

Posted on by sonokotchi

On the way to Nara for the Second trip of the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

It’s nice sunny day and Mt. Fuji is so beautiful with rice field.

This stage of rice field is a symbol of spring, getting ready to be planted.

I had a candy of Ise Kusuri Honpo (Ise Medicine Shop).

It’s black sugar flavor, but it tastes a bit of herbal medicine.

Well, the name of shop already gave me the assurance because it’s from Ise where there is Ise Shrine, Japan’s first shrine.

Kyoto


Again, I took a Shinkansen for Shin-Osaka, then changed to a bus for Nara.

Yodogawa (Yodo River), Osaka 

Nara is basin and a historical city.


There are many temples and shrines because Nara used to be  the capital over 1300 years ago (in 701).

No. 7 Okadera (also known as Ryugaiji)

To reach the main temple, we need to go up the steep slope to reach a main temple.

This temple is famous for dissociate from bad luck, and temple’s Buddha is the largest Buddha made by clay.

On the way to the main temple, I hit a bell to dissociate bad luck.


Then, prayed at the main temple.

This temple is also know as Ryugaiji.

The direct translation for Ryugaiji is Dragon-Cover-Temple.

A Buddhist Monk, Gien shoho, got rid of a bad-spirit-dragon into a well and covered it.


After visiting Okadera, I had a simple and nice lunch.

I opened covers…..nice.


Rice is akamai (direct translation is red rice) – ancient rice!

This ancient rice is delicious!


After lunch, I still had time to visit Ishibutai Tumulus, a stone chamber – the tomb of Umako Soga.


No. 6 Minami Hokkeji (also known as Tsubosakadera)



This is not a Pagoda, Tahoden – a building to keep a treasure such as a Buddha.



This is a three-stories pagoda next to the main temple.


This temple is good for eyes.

I asked for a special prayer for my eyes and bought an eye drops.

Eye drops is very refreshing.



After praying at the main temple, I walked through Tenjikumon (Old India Gate) to see a big standing Kannon (she is 20 m tall) and sleeping Buddha (8 m)!



No. 8 Hasedera

This temple is very famous for many stairs and a tall Hasedera Style Kannon (10m).

Kannon is a goddess but she holds a stick that Jizo holds.

She can function as Kannon and Jizo.

I regret I’m not allowed to take any photos of Kannon but I’m so blessed that I could touch her.


This is the main temple today.


This is the original temple.


When I was going down, I could see many stairs that I climbed from this point.


Extra Temple. Houkiin 

This temple is small and feel cozy.



This tree is a good luck tree against evils.


It is a nice season to take a break because the weather is just nice – not cold nor hot – and the area is so green and air is fresh.



I checked-in at Kashihara Royal Hotel, one of Royal Hotel Group Hotels.

I’ve been introducing a room from other Royal Hotel Group hotel.

A room might look familiar because the style is almost the same; however, a room is spacious and equipped with basic needs.



Dinner was nice; I have no complaints.


I enjoyed local sake: Miyokiku.

This sake is donated to Kashihara Shrine, the largest shrine in Nara.

Of course, it’s verrrrrrry nice.


Okay, time to go sleep now.

Posted in Beauty, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Health, Movie, Place, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Travel

Trip to Taiwan (Day 3)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Unfortunately, it was raining in the morning.

But it didn’t discourage me to enjoy Chinese breakfast at the Grand Hotel.

First, I visited National Revolutionary Marty’s Shrine to pay a respect for people who lost their lives for the WWII.

A war will create many victims and they are all victims.

We should not start any war.


Next I went to National Palace Museum.


There are so many great things there and I could share some great master pieces with you.

I have no idea how these were created.

This is must to see at this museum: Jade Cabbage.


And a set of carved openwork concentric ivory balls with cloud-and-dragon decoration.

There are 24 layers and each layer/ball can move! 

There are many more.

I don’t mind to visit the museum again to spend more time admiring these arts.

Next, I visited Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan.

He is a Mascot of Taipei 101.


It is 101 floors building and it takes only 37 seconds to reach observation floor, 89F.

There are many unique buildings in town according to Feng Shui.

There is a twisted green building that is currently under the construction.



It’s lunch time!

I really look forward for Din Tai Fung (Dim Sum) and I enjoyed, really enjoyed every bites!

Their XiaoLongBao (soup dumplings) is highly recommended! 

MUST EAT!!!

I ate five today. hehehe



I requested additional dessert.

I wanted to try a famous Taiwanese style Mango Snowflake Ice.


Since I didn’t have time to eat there, I asked for a take away.

It supposed to look like this.


It’s so Mango because ice is not normal water ice, it tastes Mango!!! 

And it’s so soft and melt like snow!

A take away style is like this.



After lunch, I visited Longshan Temple.


The stone curving on pillars are just amazing.

I’m here to pray, but at the same time, I get anazed by these breathtaking arts! 


After praying, I watched the ceremony of changing the guard at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.




Last stop was Jiufun.

This little town is located in the mountain because it used to be a gold mining town.

Now it became a hot tourist spot because it’s traditional looks and there is a rumor that Mr. Hayao Miyazaki, Japanese Animator, got an inspiration from this town to design a town for a story of Spirited Away.



We need to go up stairs to go to a main road.


A main road is narrow.


I tried Taiwan’s Stinky Tofu!!! Mmmmmmmm

I think trying once is enough for me.

To my surprise, many people, even youngs, like these Stinky Tofu. 


Well, I love Chinese tea and one of my missions for this trip is to get nice Chinese tea.

This tea house strictly controls quality of products and I love their products: smooth, delicate, nice aroma and delicious.

I bought varieties of tea and even bought new kinds.

Chinese tea is like herbal medicine; it can assist to detox, beautyfy and slimming.

After tasting Chinese tea, my skin improved drastically.

My parents already asked me to mail order before I open my tea.

I haven’t touch my stock! 

I can enjoy them for quite some time.


I continued to walk the town.


I reached the building/area that Mr. Miyazaki got inspired…

This is a tea house, but in the movie, it’s a bath house.

If you watch a movie, you can easily spot the scene.




I left Jiufun for dinner for a nice Taiwanese local food at Shin Yeh, Taipei.

It’s very delicious or was I too hungry…? hahaha

Earlier I achieved one of my missions.

Now I’m achieving another one: to try papaya milk.

My friend recommended me to try papaya milk.

(Hummmm, same friend recommended to try Stinky tofu…ahhh.)

Papaya milk is nice and I also recommend it to you.

I also tried a nice dragon fruit smoothie; it’s not a guava juice.


Guava Juice is the name of shop. hahaha

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Japan Technology, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Tokyo, Travel

Short to Trip to Osaka and Kyoto

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friends bought a JR Pass to get unlimited access to JR train.

It is advisable to get this pass if you plan to visit many places in Japan.


We planed to visit Osaka and Kyoto this weekend!


It’s sweet to have a Coffee break on bullet train.


First, we visited Osaka.

We went to Dotonbori, Osaka for lunch.


We can find many casual dining places in Dotonbori.

We decided to dine at Genkizushi, Dotonbori, Osaka because varieties of food are served: sushi, soba/udon, tempura,  obento (set menu), etc.


I had a steak and steak only. hahaha


After lunch, we shopped at Shinsaibashi shopping arcade.

It’s fun to hop in and hop out shops.

I bought two pairs of eyeglasses which cut 38% of blue light for heavy user of PC and mobile and 60% suitable for night, especially, before bed time.

I’m trying 60% now and my eyes are not hurt. 

I recommend to buy J!NS SCREEN.

It’s functional and reasonable, JPY 3,000 each.


I saw few Pablo cheese cake shop and at this restaurant, line was short!

We decided to get one for dessert after dinner.


We took a Shinkansen to reach Kyoto (15 mins).

We went to dinner after checked in at hotel.

Kyoto Style Tempra Yasaka Endo.


Let’s get ready!


Kyoto Style means using unique ingredients and cotton seed oil, instead of sesame oil in Tokyo.


After dinner, walked in Gion area and visited Yasaka Shrine.


I love visiting Osaka and Kyoto.

I would love to come back again!

It’s just unfortunate that Sakura is yet to bloom.

Soon Kyoto would be beautiful decorated by Sakura.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Pilgrimage, Place, River, Shrine and Temple, Travel, Waterfalls

Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Sayonara Kushimoto Royal Hotel.


And I enjoyed varieties of food at breakfast.

Wakayama is the largest production of sour plum in Japan; I tried my first sour plum porridge.


We are at the tip of the Kii Peninsula; therefore, we need to drive back over 200 km.

We stayed in bus for long; but I enjoyed scenery from a window.

I looked at Hashigui from the other side.


The scenery is so peaceful.


First we stopped at Nachi no Taki (Nachi Falls).

This is the tallest waterfall in Japan (133 m).

No. 1 Seigantoji

This is the World Heritage Site.


Main Temple


We can view Nachi Falls from here, too.


This temple is next to Kumano Nachi Taisha (shrine).

There is a simple gate to divide the two.


This Miagatahikosha is for safe travel and safe drive.

Obviously, I love traveling so I need God’s blessing.

In addition, Yatagarasu gets me excited.

This shrine is for Yatagarasu as well.

If you look carefully in a picture, you will find a crow with three legs.

Yatagarasu is used in design of Japanese national football team’s uniform because it plays a role as a guidance.

There is a hope that Yatagarasu would lead a Japanese national team to a victory.

Go Japan!


I also prayed for my good health by writing a wish board and to walk through 1,000 year old tree.




Time’s up!

I rushed back to the bus.

I continued enjoying scenery from a window again.

The water of Kumano River is so blue!


There is a boat to enjoy a river cruise, but we didn’t have time for that.

Perhaps, next time.


This is my lunch today.


I bought my own dessert: sour plum ice cream!


Next is the final destination of this trip.

No. 5 Fujiidera

Last sutra recite at the temple.

I love to visit Temples and Shrines because I can feel and touch real Japanese culture.

Many of them are located at peaceful places (mountain with full of trees, scenic ocean, etc).

I feel refresh visiting these temples and shrines and blessed.



We reached Shin-Osaka Station to catch a  shinkansen back home.



Ate dinner on Shinkansen.


Once I reach home, I take a shower and go to bed.

I plan to visit other 29 temples later this year.

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Pilgrimage, Place, Shrine and Temple, Sunrise and Sunset, Travel

Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage 

Posted on by sonokotchi

Last November I conducted the Shikoku 88 Temples Pilgrimage.

This time, I came to Saigoku (the Western region of Japan) to visit 4 temples in weekend for the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.


Thirty-three temples are located in as many as six prefectures such as Gifu, Shiga, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, Osaka and Hyogo.

I departed Tokyo for Osaka by Shinkansen (bullet train) early morning at 7:20 pm.


I had pork sandwich for breakfast.


Last November, I also started the Pilgrimage from here.

Bus departed from here, the same place.


First, we went to No. 3 Kokawadera.

This temple is located in Wakayama Prefecture.

I don’t remember visiting Wakayama; this could be my first trip to Wakayama.

For Shikoku Pilgrimage, we followed the number of Temple; however, for Shikoku, I was told we don’t need to follow number.


This temple is huge and beautiful.

Main temple looks far left.


This is the Main Temple.


Kawazu Zakura is beautiful.


The town is nicely decorated with Hina Ningyo.

Every 3 March, Hina Ningyo is decorated to wish for health and happiness for daughters.

Hina Ningyo is passed down to generations.

This must be antique Hina Ningyo.


We had a lunch box on bus for lunch.


No. 2 Kongoji (Kimiidera)


We climbed many steep stairs to Main Temple.


Main Temple


The ceiling is decorated with celestial maidens.


There is a Pagoda.


We could specially view the largest wooden Kannon today.

I hope you are blessed, too.


Before we check-in hotel, we stopped by to see amazing nature – strange stones: Hashigui Iwa.

It does look like as if these are foundations of bridge.

Hashigui means foundations of bridge and iwa means stones.

Amazing and beautiful.


We reached to the tip of Kii Peninsular to check-in at Kushimoto Royal Hotel.

A room is spacious.



I could see sunset from my room before dinner.


Dinner is nice.

Fresh, delicious and the right portion – not too little, not too much.

Continued enjoying local food at the room: ponkan orange, ume (Japanese apricot) and Kinkan (kumquat) juice, and water.


Wakayama is nice place to visit.

I’m Japanese; but there are still many places to be explored!