A stop a Fukusenji while exploring the land of folklore - Tono in Iwate Prefecture. The main hall of this temple houses the largest wooden statue of Kannon Bosatsu, built from a single tree.
Category: Temple & Shrines
Gates to the Netherworld, or is it Paradise? Osorezan and Bodai-ji Temple
Exploring Osorezan and Bodai-ji Temple, believed to be one of the gates to the afterlife due to its resembling landscape of fuming sulphuric gases and barren ground next to a poisonous lake. Founded by famous abbot Ennin, the temple worships the Jizo Bosatsu, the guardian of children.
Michinoku Coastal Trail: Hachinohe Section (Part 1)
Walking the Hachinohe Section of the 700km Michinoku Coastal Trail which runs along the Tohoku Pacific Coast. In this post, I cover the start of the trail to Kabushima Island known for being a breeding ground of black-tailed gulls, to Samekado Lighthouse.
Nishinotakiryusui Temple in Shodoshima
A somewhat scary trip to Nishinotakiryusui Temple, one of the temples on the 88 Shodoshima Temples Pilgrimage, mainly due to fact that no one was around. Failed to explore the especially interesting rock cave behind the main hall, which has legends surrounding the encounter between Kukai and a dragon.
Yamanobe no Michi, The Oldest Road in Japan: Part 2
In Part 2 of my coverage on the Yamanobe no Michi hike, I explored the rest of the shrines and temples after Omiwa Jinja, all the way to Isonokami Jingu.
Yamanobe no Michi, The Oldest Road in Japan: Part 1
A pleasant hike from Omiwa Jinja to Isonokami Jingu along what is said to be Japan's oldest road - the Yamanobe no Michi which is mentioned in the Nihon Shoki.
Yashima-ji, 84th Temple of the Shikoku 88-Temples Pilgrimage
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.
Onoji and the Giant Miroku Magaibutsu Carving
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.
Abe-Monjuin, one of the 3 temples worshipping Monju Bosatsu in Japan
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.
Women’s Koyasan – Muroji in Uda, Nara Prefecture
Visiting the vast complex of Muroji located on Mount Muro in Uda, Nara Prefecture. Also known as Nyonin Koya (Women's Koyasan) due to its acceptance of woman worshippers back in the day when most temples forbade women, the temple is a popular spot for autumn chasers thanks to its fiery red maple leaves.
Final Resting Place of Izanagi: Izanagi Shrine
Visiting Izanagi Shrine, said to be the final resting place of the god Izanagi, who gave birth to the Japanese archipelago with Izanami. Located on Awajishima, the first island born during the kuniumi process, this shrine is also said to be the oldest shrine in Japan.
Japan's Wonders 