Category: Japan

Shiizaki Inari Shrine Shiizaki Inari Shrine is famous for its azaleas that bloom every year mid-late April. The spot is also popular because the view of Amanohashidate seen from the top resembles the famous painting “Amanohashidate-zu” (National Treasure) made by the famous artist, Sesshu. This is why this location is also referred to as “Sesshu-kan”, […]

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Seirinji Temple Located in the Kamimiyazu area of Miyazu, Akechi Mitsuhide(famous historical figure)`s head is said to be buried here. The temple was originally built in 1577 in Okubo Valley. The temple was moved to the Kamimiyazu area in 1603 and its current location in 1685. (Ref: http://www.amanohashidate.jp/lang/en/spots/seirinji-temple/)

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Amanohashidate (天橋立) is a pine covered sandbar that spans the mouth of Miyazu Bay in the scenic, coastal region of northern Kyoto Prefecture. Viewed from the mountains at either end of the bay, the Amanohashidate Sandbar (which roughly translates to “bridge in heaven”) looks like a pathway between heaven and earth. The scene has been admired for centuries […]

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The Ryōzen Kannon (霊山観音) is a war memorial commemorating the War dead of the Pacific Warlocated in Eastern Kyoto.[1] The concrete and steel statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (Kannon)was built by Hirosuke Ishikawa and unveiled on 8 June 1955. The statue is 24 m (80 ft) high and weighs approximately 500 tons. The shrine beneath […]

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Sanboin was built by the 14th Archbishop, Shokaku, in 1115. The building has since been used as the residence of successive archbishops of Daigoji Temple. Most of Sanboin’s buildings are deisgnated as important cultural properties. Of those buildings, Omote-Shoin, which commands a view of the entire garden, is designated as a national treasure for it’s […]

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What is Goshuin? Goshuin can be received by visitors in Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines. It is a large stamp, written in ink that proves your visit to a particular temple. Shuin is often called “goshuin”, “go” being a Japanese honorific prefix. The style of shuin is different in every temple. Usually, it is the temple’s priest […]

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Nanzen-ji (南禅寺 Nanzen-ji), or Zuiryusan Nanzen-ji, formerly ZenriNanzen-ji (南禅寺 Nanzen-ji), or Zuiryusan Nanzen-ji, formerly Zenrin-ji (禅林寺 Zenrin-ji), is a Zen Buddhisttemple in Kyoto, Japan. Emperor Kameyamaestablished it in 1291 on the site of his previous detached palace. It is also the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen. The precincts of Nanzen-ji are a […]

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Higashiyama (東山区 Higashiyama-ku, meaning “east mountain”) is one of the eleven wardsin the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It was created in 1929 when it was split off from Shimogyō-ku. During the years 1931 to 1976 it also covered the area of present-day Yamashina-ku, which was an independent town until its merger into the city in 1931. The name literally means “Eastern Mountain District”. Due to […]

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