Miyajidake Shrine: The Three Number Ones

My flight from Fukuoka to Kansai was mid morning, which gave me enough time to make a quick trip out to Miyajidake Shrine. The three gods of Empress Jingu, Katsumura Okami and Katsuyori Okami are enshrined here and many people come to pay their respects and to pray for business success and for their family's safety. My interest in coming was to see the oshimenawa, or giant straw rope, that decorates the main building. This is the largest rope in Japan, weighing in at five tons. Yep, a massive five TONS. It was gigantic and impressive. There is also a giant drum and bell which are the largest in Japan, giving them the title of "The Three Number Ones". Unfortunately, I was unable to get photos of the last two because of time constraints (missing my flight wouldn't have been very good...), but I was still grateful to be able to finally see the giant straw rope up close! Can you imagine how the shrine manages to hold up all that weight for years and years? O.o I just can't fathom it! Japan's shrines and temples never cease to constantly amaze me :)

Amazing view of the city from the top of the stairs.

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Nanzoin Temple: Reclining Buddha

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! It hasn't been as hot in Kobe as it usually is so I have absolutely no complaints here :) Onto today's post now! ^^

Many people know about giant bronze Buddha statues in Kamakura and Nara, but the reclining Buddha at Nanzoin Temple isn't as well-known despite being one of the largest bronze statue in the world. Nanzoin Temple is about a twenty or twenty-five minute ride from Hakata and only a few minutes walk from Kido Nanzoin-mae Station. Numerous shrines are scattered around its complex (although I didn't have enough time to visit them. The mosquitoes did a wonderful job of keeping me away as well...) and the temple was actually moved from Mt. Koya, a famous pilgrimage destination located in Wakayama, in 1899. Nanzoin is also a famous for its Sasaguri Pilgrimage which is a 1,200km course that includes 88 temples.

While the daibutsu at Nanzoin may not be as tall as the ones in Kamakura and Nara, it has an impressive length of 41 meters and weighs in at 300 tons. Pay 500 yen and you can go inside the body! The reclining Buddha is quite rare to see in Japan since many of the statues seen are in a sitting pose so it was a first for me to see a daibutsu in this pose. 

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

Hidden Secrets: Shinnyodo Temple

Shinnyodo is one of those off the beaten track temples in Kyoto and while it is known for its autumn leaves, it's still relatively empty during the year. While I was walking around, I saw maybe a total of fifteen people, so if you're looking for a very quiet and peaceful temple, this is your place. It was established in 984, but was destroyed during the Onin War before being relocated to its present location. The grounds are free to roam around, but a fee of 500 yen is required to enter the inner chamber where you can walk around and see the gardens. Taking pictures inside the chamber and the rooms is prohibited, but you are more than welcome to take pictures of the gardens outside. 

To get there, I walked to Shirakawa-dori from Tetsugaku-no-michi and spotted a sign right next to an ice cream and sweets shop on a corner. Follow the arrow and walk past the neighborhood in the picture above towards the mountain. The road will gradually go uphill and continue for a couple of minutes. On your left side will be a small sign right next to some stairs that'll point you in the direction :) It's quite easy to miss so keep your eyes open! There's also a rather nice hydrangea garden just before you reach the temple ^^

Had this view to myself for awhile and just enjoyed the tranquility of the place :)

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you all have a wonderful week! :)

Tenjuan Temple: Stepping Stones

Tenjuan Temple is one of the many sub temples of the Nanzenji precinct and is one of the few that are opened to the public. It's known for its gardens as well as its lotus pond and was dedicated to the Zen master who served Emperor Kameyama. Unfortunately, part of its main hall is under construction so I wasn't able to go inside, but the gardens and ponds outside were well worth the visit. 

Reminds me of the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter where an elderly man found a tiny baby inside of a bamboo plant who was actually the princess from the moon :) 

Poor fish thought I had food to give him, so I took the opportunity to snap this picture! 

Thank you so much for reading and have a wonderful week :) It's rainy season here in Japan so don't forget to bring your umbrellas with you!