*Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (May 7, 2019)

Himeji Castle (姫路城 Himeji-jō) is a hilltop Japanese castle complex situated in the city of Himeji which is located in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan. The castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, comprising a network of 83 rooms with advanced defensive systems from the feudal period.[7] The castle is frequently known as Hakuro-jō or Shirasagi-jō(“White Egret Castle” or “White Heron Castle”) because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.

Himeji Castle dates to 1333, when Akamatsu Norimura built a fort on top of Himeyama hill. The fort was dismantled and rebuilt as Himeyama Castle in 1346, and then remodeled into Himeji Castle two centuries later. Himeji Castle was then significantly remodeled in 1581 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who added a three-story castle keep. In 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu awarded the castle to Ikeda Terumasa for his help in the Battle of Sekigahara, and Ikeda completely rebuilt the castle from 1601 to 1609, expanding it into a large castle complex.[3] Several buildings were later added to the castle complex by Honda Tadamasafrom 1617 to 1618.[5] For over 400 years, Himeji Castle has remained intact, even throughout the extensive bombing of Himeji in World War II, and natural disasters such as the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake.

Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and it was registered in 1993 as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country.[2]The area within the middle moat of the castle complex is a designated Special Historic Site and five structures of the castle are also designated National Treasures.[5][10] Along with Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle, Himeji Castle is considered one of Japan’s three premier castles.[11] In order to preserve the castle buildings, it underwent restoration work for several years and reopened to the public on March 27, 2015.[12] The works also removed decades of dirt and grime, restoring the formerly grey roof to its original brilliant white color.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himeji_Castle)

Himeji Castle’s construction dates to 1333, when a fort was constructed on Himeyama hill by Akamatsu Norimura, the ruler of the ancient Harima Province.[3]In 1346, his son Sadanori demolished this fort and built Himeyama Castle in its place.[3][13] In 1545, the Kuroda clan was stationed here by order of the Kodera clan, and feudal ruler Kuroda Shigetakaremodeled the castle into Himeji Castle, completing the work in 1561.[3][14] In 1580, Kuroda Yoshitakapresented the castle to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and in 1581 Hideyoshi significantly remodeled the castle, building a three-story keep with an area of about 55 m2 (590 sq ft).[5][14]

Following the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu granted Himeji Castle to his son-in-law, Ikeda Terumasa, as a reward for his help in battle.[3] Ikeda demolished the three-story keep that had been created by Hideyoshi, and completely rebuilt and expanded the castle from 1601 to 1609, adding three moats and transforming it into the castle complex that is seen today.[3][5] The expenditure of labor involved in this expansion is believed to have totaled 2.5 million man-days.[3] Ikeda died in 1613, passing the castle to his son, who also died three years later.[4] In 1617, Honda Tadamasa and his family inherited the castle, and Honda added several buildings to the castle complex, including a special tower for his daughter-in-law, Princess Sen (千姫Senhime).[4]

In the Meiji Period (1868 to 1912), many Japanese castles were destroyed.[2] Himeji Castle was abandoned in 1871 and some of the castle corridors and gates were destroyed to make room for Japanese army barracks.[5][14] The entirety of the castle complex was slated to be demolished by government policy, but it was spared by the efforts of Nakamura Shigeto, an army colonel.[5] A stone monument honoring Nakamura was placed in the castle complex within the first gate, the Hishi Gate (菱の門 Hishinomon).[5][15] Although Himeji Castle was spared, Japanese castles had become obsolete and their preservation was costly.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himeji_Castle)

*Tottori Castle Ruins and Nagata Shrine, Tottori, Tottori Prefecture, Japan (May 5, 2019)

Tottori Castle (鳥取城 Tottori-jō) was the central castle of the Tottori han (fief) in feudal Japan. It was a yamashiro, or “mountain castle”, built into the mountain itself, using natural obstacles and defenses to a greater extent than man-made walls. Little remains of the castle aside from parts of the stone wall and one gate, reinforced with iron and featuring spikes on the outside of the doors to help protect against attackers.

In the late 12th century, following the Genpei War, the new shōgun Minamoto no Yoritomo granted the Tottori han to Nasu no Yoichi, the hero of the battle of Yashima. He lost it soon afterwards to Kajiwara Kagetoki, a spy for Yoritomo, in a hunting competition.

Tottori is perhaps best known for its siege in 1581 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, which lasted 200 days. The defenders, led by Kikkawa Tsuneie, were forced to surrender due to starvation, coming just short of resorting to cannibalism, according to some accounts. When they surrendered, Hideyoshi provided food for the garrison, but many survivors ate too quickly and died from overeating.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tottori_Castle)

There’s a beautiful view of the nearby mountains.

While I was here embracing the beautiful view of the mountain range, I felt this calmness and overwhelming connection with the universe. Later that night I heard my grandmother had passed away in the U.S., right around the time I was here. I feel that my grandmother was letting me know everything was going to be okay as she departed this earth. Te quiero abuela.

*Watanabe Museum, Tottori, Tottori Prefecture, Japan (May 5, 2019)

This museum, located near central Tottori City, has a collection of almost 30,000 items that were amassed over a period of 60 years by local doctor Hajime Watanabe. One of the most impressive parts of the collection is the 250 sets of Japanese armor, with at least 100 sets on display at any time.
The sheer variety of armor in the collection gives visitors the opportunity to see how armor changed over time, adapting to each new style of battle. Many fans of Japanese history and samurai, both from within the country and from overseas, make the pilgrimage to visit this holy land of Japanese armor. However, that is not the only appeal of this museum. Many exhibits on display here have been put together following the museum’s philosophy that items strongly connected to the lives of everyday people are also works of art. So the museum gives visitors an opportunity to gain a new perspective on the lifestyles of Japanese people, and to find a greater appreciation for the art that exists around us in our everyday lives.

(Ref: https://sanin-japan.com/featured/watanabe-art-museum)

This museum had a lot of historical artifacts. Thank you Michiko Fukazawa, for taking the photos of me wearing an authentic samurai helmet, from the 1600s.

See more information at:

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*The Sand Museum, Tottori, Tottori Prefecture, Japan (May 5, 2019)

The Sand Museum

Nature created the “Tottori Sand Dunes,” a formative beauty created over the years. We want to create an unprecedented creative man-made beauty here and to excite and impress people who visit this site. This desire came to life as the “Sand Museum” which opened at the Tottori Sand Dunes on November 18, 2006. The museum is Japan’s only open-air museum exhibiting sculptures made of “sand.” Katsuhiko Chaen, who is now active domestically and abroad as a sand sculptor and producer, is attracting attention as one of “100 Japanese individuals the world respects,” is the executive producer of the museum. The highest level of sand sculptures in the world are exhibited every year, inviting sandsculptors from around the world. Sand sculptures eventually collapse as the material is sand. You can see for a brief time, in that place. The transience is the attraction and beauty of sand sculpture.
(Ref: http://www.sand-museum.jp/en/)

The Vast of Sand, one of Japna’s heritages

National Park Tottori Sand Dunes
Sanin Coast National Park was designated as a semi-national park in 1955, and was promoted to a national park in 1963. As for Tottori Sand Dunes, 131 hectares, offering good scenery of dunes were designated as a special protection area, where harmful acts have been strictly restricted. Moreover, in 1955, Tottori Sand Dunes were designated as a national natural treasure being evaluated as scientifically valuable, due to its undulation as a coastal dune, unique geographical features and plant communities peculiar to dunes, including wind ripples, Saren (stripe pattern on sand), sand poles, and roundleaf chastetree (vitex rotundifolia).
Japan’s Greatest Sand Ground–Tottori Sand Dunes
Is this a trick of nature? — We put our feet on the art which wind and the earth have woven. The great dunes measures 16 kms from east to west, and 2 kms from north to south. The feel of the sand on your feet relaxes you with its soft texture after being on asphalt. “The hill of sand,” carried by wind and Sendai River that flows from Chugoku Mountains, has been accumulating for 100,000 years, and thus the expansiveness fascinates 1.3 million people who visit annually. Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest dunes in Japan. There are many unique geographical features and tourist spots, and you can see their various expressions that change according to the seasons and the time of the day. It’s just like a natural theme park.
Northwestern seasonal wind ease and dune plants begin to come up from sand, and then the spring sky changes the sea and sand into brighter colors, with a the light feel of the wind passing through the Dune. When spring comes, the Dunes start to show various expressions. The morning or evening is the best time to see wind ripples. Since the sun light enters obliquely, the shadows clearly come out and the beauty is highlighted.

Tottori Sand Dunes Sand Museum (tottori city)
Tottori Sand Dunes Sand Museum, “located in Fukube-cho, Tottori city, continues its operation from the 1st exhibition held in 2006.
The museum is Japan’s only open-air museum exhibiting sculptures made of “sand”.
Katsuhiko Chaen, who is now active domestically and abroad as a sand sculptor and producer, is attracting attention as one of “100 Japanese individuals the world respects”, is the executive producer of the museum.
The highest level of sand sculptures in the world are exhibited every year, inviting sand sculptors from around the world.
The Fukiage-hama Sand Festival (Minami-satsuma city, Kagoshima)
The first “Fukiage-hama Sand Festival” was held at Kaseda city (now Minami-satsuma city), Kagoshima Prefecture, in 1987, as the Japan’s first sand sculpture event, with the expectation of Kaseda citizens who wanted to utilize its beautiful local sand beach to revitalize the city.
After that, the festival was held every year (it ceased in 2002).
There are more than 80 exhibits made of the sand of Fukiage-hama, which is one of the three largest sand dunes in Japan.
Sand sculptors throughout the world, local people, and local elementary/junior high school students make sand sculptures jointly, in cooperation with 1000 or more volunteers.
The festival is such a big event that the whole city gets involved.The headquarters of the Japan Sand Sculpture Association is located here, making the city the pioneer of sand sculpturing of Japan.

This was a beautiful museum. Very detailed sand sculptures. Every year thesand sculptures are based on a central theme. This year’s theme was South Asia.

*Shishizakiinari Shrine, Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (April 22, 2019)

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”, or “the Sesshu View”.

(Ref: http://www.amanohashidate.jp/lang/en/spots/shiizaki-inari-shrine/)

*Seirinji Buddhist Temple, Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan ( April 22, 2019)

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/)

*Kanabiki Waterfall, Amanohashidate-Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (April 22, 2019)

Kanabiki Waterfall

Selected as one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan, Kanabiki waterfall is 40m tall and 20m wide. The waterfall lies on a hill in Miyazu(the waterfall is located at the top of a staircase). Due to its forest location and high elevation, Kanabiki waterfall is a popular spot in the summer as it is cool and refreshing. It is also a good place to visit in the spring and fall to enjoy the change of seasons.

The waterfall used to host a fire festival in which the citizens would pour large amounts of oil into the waterfall and set it on fire. Today, this festival has been abolished due to environmental concerns.

The waterfall is very peaceful and soothing located away from the town area. There is a small shrine where visitors can pray. It is said that those who visit Kanabiki waterfall and pray at the shrine, will be blessed with financial prosperity. There is also a gazebo and benches making it a great family picnic spot.

Ref: http://www.amanohashidate.jp/lang/en/spots/kanabiki-waterfall/)

(This is a beautiful and peaceful site. Breathtaking scenery.

*Chigenji Temple, Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan ( April 22, 2019)

Chigenji Temple

Chigenji Temple is a temple belonging to the Sotoshu sect of Buddhism and is an official training center for young monks. There are currently about 10 young monks training at the temple.

The temple itself was constructed in 1625 by Takahiro Kyogoku for his mother. The main temple hall was constructed in March of 1804.

The principal object of worship at the temple is a golden Shokanzeon Bosatsu (Bodhisattva). Every year on July 27th, the day of the Kannon Festival, it is a custom for the monks at the temple to hold the golden statue up to the heads of each visitor and bestow them with virtue.

The flower painting on the ceiling of the temple main hall is designated cultural property of Kyoto Prefecture.

(Ref: http://www.amanohashidate.jp/lang/en/spots/chigenji-temple/)

*Chionji Temple, Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (April 21, 2019)

Chionji Temple

It is one of the three temples in Japan dedicated to the Monju Bodhisattva(Bodhisattva of Wisdom).  It is believed that you can gain wisdom from visiting this temple so many students and their families visit here to pray for help passing exams.  The temple has many old paintings including a 300 year old painting of Heaven and Hell, a 300 year old painting of vassals taking revenge on a feudal lord, and a 210 year old painting related to Chinese history.

The Tahoto Pagoda that stands on the temple grounds is a National Important Cultural Property and enshrines a statue of the dainichi nyorai whois the Buddha believed to be the creator of all life.

The temple gate that faces Chaya Street is registered as Cultural Property of City and is the biggest temple gate in the Tango area.  Building of the gate began about 260 years ago in 1762.  It took a total of 7 years and 8,780 carpenters to finish.

Fan -shaped fortunes, the result of a recent trend, are also sold at Chionji Temple.  The fortunes are tied to tree branches to pray for expanding fortune.  Motoise Kono Shrine in the Fuchu area of Miyazu has umbrella-shaped fortunes for sale.

There is also an iron bath tub that was casted around 730 years ago in 1290.  It has a diameter of 1.7 meters and a height of 0.6 meters. It was originally used as a bath for monks and is now used as a washbasin. In Japan, people usually wash their hands at shrines and temples before approaching the main building.

(Ref: http://www.amanohashidate.jp/lang/en/spots/chionji/)

This was a beautiful temple, very busy on the weekends with tourists and local visitors. It’s right across the famous crossing in Amanohashidate, and there are many shops and restaurants surrounding the temple. There are also boat rides available on the shoreside. Anybody in the area should visit this location.

*Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (April 21, 2019)

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 and is ranked among Japan’s three most scenic views.

Several other attractions can be explored on foot or by rental bicycle at either end of the sandbar. They include a couple of temples, a shrine, a small amusement park and observation decks from which to enjoy the view. Visitors can further take sightseeing cruises around the bay or enjoy the sand beaches along the sandbar.

(Ref: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3990.html)

Amanohashidate is known as a place to do “Matanozoki ( Upside down looking through your legs )” 
The first thing to do at Amanohashidate view land is “Matanozoki”. 
Amanohashidate itself is already beautiful, however, when you do “Matanozoki”, you will see the land and sky upside down, and the view looks like a dragon ascending to the heavens. 
It is this view that gave the Hiryukan its name, view of the skyward dragon.

Amanohashidate is known as the place you can see white beautiful sandy beach and vivid green pines. On winter morning, pine tree leaves get frosted with snow on top. You can see a dreamy silver world. 
When the sun rises, they melt and you can no longer see them. 
We call it a “Gensetsu no Hiryukan (Hiryukan with dreamy snow)”.

(Ref: http://www.viewland.jp/en/hiryukan/)

Tangokunininomiyama Omiyau Shrine, Kyotango, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (April 16, 2019)

This is a nice local shrine in a small town in Kyoto Prefecture. Kyotango is approximately 2 hours, driving, from Kyoto City. It’s a small, country town with agriculture as it’s main source of income. The local beaches here are nice and frequently visited by locals and outsiders in the summer season.

*Ryozen Kannon Statue, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (April 16, 2019)

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 the statue contains an image of Bodhisattva Ekādaśamukha and images of the god of wind and god of thunder. Memorial tablets of 2 million Japanese who died in World War II are also stored here. Four times a day services are conducted in their memory. Also on the site is a memorial hall in honour of the unknown soldier killed in World War II.

(Ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryozen_Kannon)

Bishamon-do Temple, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan (April 15, 2019)

i

Nice temple with Sokuras/cherry blossoms. Unfortunately I got here late and couldn’t go inside.Nice temple. Unfortunately I got here a few minutes late and couldn’t go inside. There’s a shrine right next to it with a beautiful zen garden, which will be the next photo album, tomorrow.