Ginkaku-ji/Jisho-ji Goshuin

Ginkaku-ji / Jisho-ji 銀閣寺・慈照寺 Kyoto (京都) March 27, 2022 About Ginkaku-ji Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion in English, is the more common name for Jisho-ji. It is a Rinzai sect Zen temple on the east side of Kyoto. The temple was built during the Muromachi Period by Ashikaga Yoshimasa as a retirement villa. Some people hear the name and immediately think of the shinier, more famous Kinkaku-ji, but it is a different temple entirely, though there is a connection. Kinkaku-ji was built by Yoshimasa’s grandfather and he used it as a model for his Ginkaku-ji My Visit Like…

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Kogane Shrine – Gold

Gold goshuin for Kogane Shrine

Kogane Shrine 金神社 Gifu (岐阜市) March 21, 2022 About Kogane Shrine Originally established in the year 135AD during the 5th year of Emperor Seimu’s reign, people have come to Kogane Shrine to pray for financial success for a long time. It is also one of the three shrines that participate in the Gifu Matsuri, the other two being Inaba Shrine and Kashimori Shrine. My Visit to Kogane Shrine It has been a while since I last visited in 2018. I didn’t know about Premium Gold Day (プレミアム金デイー) at the time and got my goshuin on regular paper. Their special gold…

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Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine Goshuin

Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine 石切劔箭神社 Osaka (名古屋) January 3, 2022 About Ishikiri Tsuruga Shrine Ishikiri Tsuruga Shrine has a long history dating back to 659BC (over 2,000 years ago) during the reign of the first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu. Both Umashimade-no-mikoto and Nigihayahi-no-mikoto in Miyayama are worshipped here. The power of the gods were said to be able to cut stone, thus the name “Ishikiri.” The deities are also believed to be able to help cure tumors. Locals often call the shrine “Ishikiri-san” It also houses the sword known as Ishikiri-maru and is a popular stop for fans of Touken…

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Matsumoto Castle – Toda Family Version

Matsumoto Castle 松本城 Gujo (郡上市) August 13, 2020 About Matsumoto Castle Like Inuyama Castle and Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle is one of only 12 remaining original castles still standing today. Unlike many castles where I live in Gifu, it was built on a plain instead of up on a hill or mountain. It sits surrounded by a moat, which reflects the castle beautifully. There are a few gojoin designs here. This one is the Toda family design. My Visit My husband and I came to get out of the house and enjoy some semi-outdoor activities during the pandemic. I still…

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Kotoku-ji – Enmei Jizo Goshuin (Tsumago Juku)

Kotoku-ji – 光徳寺Tsumago（妻籠） – August 13, 2020 Many people come to Japan for Kyoto to experience the old buildings and history of Japan, but one place I recommend visiting is the old post town, Tsumago Juku, that was one of many stops along the Nakasendo that connected Kyoto and Tokyo. The old style of the town is carefully preserved, so it feels as if you’ve stepped back in time to the Edo period of Japan. Kotoku-ji is a temple located in Tsumago. Me being me, I had to stop my husband when I saw the temple to see if we…

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Naegi Castle Ruins

Naegi Castle Ruins 苗木城跡 Nakatsugawa (中津川市) August 13, 2020 About Naegi Castle Ruins Looming on the north side of the Kiso River in Nakatsugawa, Naegi Castle once demanded an impressive view from atop Mt. Takamori. Its layout and use of the mountain’s natural stone as is make it quite unique among Japanese mountaintop castles. Also, according to records it was made out of red clay instead of the usual white. Unfortunately, the castle was torn apart and the materials sold to pay off debt during the Meiji period. The main struts that we see now are a reconstruction and there’s…

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Kotoku-ji – Yakushinyorai (Tsumago Juku)

Kotoku-ji – 光徳寺Tsumago（妻籠） – August 23, 2020   Many people come to Japan for Kyoto to experience the old buildings and history of Japan, but one place I recommend visiting is the old post town, Tsumago Juku, that was one of many stops along the Nakasendo that connected Kyoto and Tokyo. The old style of the town is carefully preserved, so it feels as if you’ve stepped back in time to the Edo period of Japan. Kotoku-ji is a temple located in Tsumago. Me being me, I had to stop my husband when I saw the temple to see if…

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Kotoku-ji – Ebisu Goshuin (Tsumago Juku)

Kotoku-ji – 光徳寺Tsumago（妻籠） – August 23, 2020 Many people come to Japan for Kyoto to experience the old buildings and history of Japan, but one place I recommend visiting is the old post town, Tsumago Juku, that was one of many stops along the Nakasendo that connected Kyoto and Tokyo. The old style of the town is carefully preserved, so it feels as if you’ve stepped back in time to the Edo period of Japan. Kotoku-ji is a temple located in Tsumago. Me being me, I had to stop my husband when I saw the temple to see if we…

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Matsumoto Castle – Ogasawara Family Version

Matsumoto Castle 松本城 Gujo (郡上市) August 13, 2020 About Matsumoto Castle Like Inuyama Castle and Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle is one of only 12 remaining original castles still standing today. Unlike many castles where I live in Gifu, it was built on a plain instead of up on a hill or mountain. It sits surrounded by a moat, which reflects the castle beautifully. There are a few goshuin designs available. This one is the Ogasawara Family design. My Visit My husband and I came to get out of the house and enjoy some semi-outdoor activities during the pandemic. I still…

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