A visit to Yashima-ji, the 84th temple on the Shikoku 88-Temples Pilgrimage during my trip to Yashima Sanjo. Originally founded by Ganjin of the Risshu Buddhism school, the now Shingon-sect of Buddhism temple worships the a wooden seated statue of Senju Kannon said to be carved by Kukai.
Stopping by Onoji temple on my way back from Muroji to see the giant Miroku Magaibutsu carving onto a cliff along the river of Udagawa. While popular during the cherry blossom season, the autumn delights in the temple is also not to be missed.
As the title says, this is the final part (fourth to be exact) of my Shikoku Mura exploration, the open-air museum showcasing structures from all over Shikoku Region dating back mostly to the Edo Period. This final part covers more family houses, a soy sauce warehouse, more storehouses and a western-style house turned tea-room.
Part 3 of my exploration in Shikoku Mura, the open-air museum exhibiting traditional buildings and structures from all over Shikoku Region. This time we take a look at the bark-steaming hut, more family houses and the Marugame Official Rice Storehouse.
Part 2 of my exploration in Shikoku Mura, the open-air museum showcasing traditional buildings and structures from Shikoku Region. This post covers a sugar cane press, a tea hall previously located along a route used by pilgrims on the Shikoku 88-Temples Pilgrimage and a series of lighthouse / lighthouse keeper's residences.
First part of my exploration in Shikoku Mura, an open-air museum exhibiting traditional structures and buildings from Shikoku Region dating back to the Edo and Meiji periods.
Yashima is a good side trip from Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture. There are a number of attractions on the summit including observation decks overlooking Takamatsu city and the Seto Inland Sea, the Yashima Temple, the Yashima no Ki castle ruins, and the New Yashima Aquarium.
In my 2nd post of the Affordable Japan Series, I explore business hotels as one of the cheaper accommodation options for Japan travels. A no-frills hotel which provides the privacy not offered by hostels and guesthouses, a business hotel is reasonably priced for those looking for a place to crash for the night.
Okayama Castle, often called "Ujo" (Crow Castle) due to its black exterior was previously a very large complex, but was however mostly demolished during the Meiji period and destroyed during the WWII air raids. Today, most structures we see today including the castle tower is a reconstruction while the only original structure is the Tsukimi Yagura (Moon-Viewing Turret). Located just across the river from Korakuen, this castle makes a perfect combined visit if you are visiting Okayama.
An unexpectedly quiet stroll in Kobe City's Sorakuen, a stroll-pond garden featuring a former houseboat decorated with rich lacquer. The former Hassam House relocated from Kitano-cho and an European-style stable is unique to this garden. A visit during the azalea or chrysanthemum season is highly recommended.
Awed by the Tozai Monjuzou group of statues worshipped in this shrine, centering on the Monju Bosatsu statue sculpted by the famous Kaikei, mounted on a lion. The birthplace of Abe no Seimei, the famous onmyouji of Japanese esoteric cosmology, the shichimairi experience in Ukimido Pavilion was one-of-a-kind.
Japan's Wonders 