Home Archive by category "Chubu Region" (Page 3)

Category: Chubu Region

Takayama Betsuin Shorenji

Takayama Betsuin 古井神社 Takayama (高山市) March 24, 2019 Takayama Betsuin Shorenji is a splendid Jodo Shinshuu Otani sect temple in the scenic town of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. Jodo Shinshuu is by far the most common kind of Buddhism in the Hida area of northern Gifu. The text in the center reads “Kueissho”, a phrase in Japanese Buddhism meaning that everyone will meet again in the Pure Land. As we drove up this chilly morning in March, we passed piles of snow on the side of the tollway before flurries started falling. Most of Japan was already warming up and…

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Inuyama Naritasan

– Inuyama Naritasan – 犬山成田山 – Inuyama（犬山） – January 6, 2019 Inuyama Naritasan is a branch temple of Naritasan Temple near Narita Airport in Chiba. It’s located in the northern part of Inuyama near Inuyama Castle and the Kiso River. From the top, you can see  a stunning view of the castle with the river in the background. One thing you notice upon entering is the size of the parking lot. There are two reasons for this. One is that in this part of Japan, most people drive. The second is that Naritasan is particularly famous for car protection charms…

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Enshuu Shigisan Betsuin (Hamamatsu)

Enshuu Shigisan Betsuin 遠州信貴山別院 Hamamatsu (浜松市) October 6, 2018 About Enshuu Shigisan Betsuin Shigisan is the oldest temple in Japan devoted to Bishamonten. Bishamonten is the heavenly king of the north and one of the seven lucky gods. He is a god of war and is often prayed to for victory. As a lucky god, he’s assiocated with bringing safety to the home and prosperity to businesses. This temple is one of its branch locations. So in addition to being a good mini sightseeing trip, it was an appropriate place to go before a martial arts competition. My Visit I…

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Gujo Hachiman Castle

Gujo Hachiman Castle 郡上八幡城 Matsumoto (松本市) September 17, 2018 The gojoin for Gujo Hachiman Castle in Gujo, Gifu Prefecture. I had no idea castles could have goshuin unitl I got this one. Gujo Hachiman Castle is high up on Mt Hachiman above the city of Gujo and can be seen from the tollway there. It was originally built in 1559 but demolished by the Meiji government in the 1870s in accordance with the Haijo Edict, however the tenshu, or castle keep, was later rebuilt as a museum based on Ogaki Castle’s design in 1933. Gujo is also famous for their…

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Anyo-ji (Gujo)

Anyo-ji 安養寺 Gujo（郡上） September 17, 2018 About Anyo-ji Anyo-ji is located near the base of Mt. Joyama under Gujo Hachiman Castle. It is the largest wooden structure in Gifu Prefecture. It also has a treasure room that you can enter. The nearby Joyama Park is one of the locations for Gujo Odori in the summer. My Visit to Anyo-ji The day we stopped by the temple was unfortunately under construction. A typhoon hit us recently and the roof was in need of repair. You can see other goshuin from Gifu Prefecture here. Links Temples and Shrines of Gujo Hachiman (EN)…

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Onsen-ji

– Onsen-ji – 温泉寺 – Gero（下呂） – September 1, 2018   One of the top three onsen towns in Japan is Gero Onsen in Gifu Prefecture. It’s a lovely river-side city with many onsen to visit. If you venture little ways up the mountain away from the river, you can visit the onsen temple, Onsen-ji. One story form Gero Onsen’s history of over 1000 years is this. In 1265, the onsen’s hot water stopped. The following year, the villagers noticed a the flashing white wings of a white heron dancing on the riverbed of the Hida River every day. When…

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