Okunoin Cemetery, located in Koyasan, is a most astonishing cemetery. Founded in 805 by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan’s most important religious figures. Koysan is the center of the Shingo Buddhist sect. Kobo Daishi mausoleum is at the center of Okunoin Cemetery. [...]
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Located an hour or so by car from Koyasan in the small Onsen village of Ryujin, Kamigoten is a small ryokan with a unique history. Built in 1657, Kamitogen was actually designed to please Yorinobu Tokugawa, a Japanese Feudal lord of Kinokuni. [...]
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Koyasan Daimon Gate was originally built in the 11th century in the Tsuzuraori Valley and was moved a century later to its current location, marking the entrance to the city of Koyasan. Danjo Garan is another important place of worship in Koyasan and where Kobo Daishi is also worshiped. [...]
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The Kumano Hongu Taisha is one of Wakayama Kumano region's three famous shrines. Enshrining its own deity, Hongu Taisha and also the deities of the other two Kumano shrines, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha, and the sun goddess Amaterasu. It serves as the head shrine of over 3000 Kumano shrines […]
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Located in the heart of Koyasan, Kongobuji was originally constructed in 1593 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to commemorate the death of his mother. Later Kongobuji was merged with a neighboring temple and reorganized into the head temple of Shingon Buddhism, the sect introduced to Japan by Kobo Daishi in 805 […]
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What once was a popular sento (bathhouse) in the center of Yuasa city in Wakayama, Jinburo is today a free to visit open-air museum where you will not only have the chance to discover an old Japanese sento looked, but also enjoy Jinburo’s annex full of memorabilia of […]
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Also known as Chichibu Yomatsuri, the Chichibu Night Festival is the festival of the Chichibu Shrine in Chichibu. It’s just over 150 km away from central Tokyo and is considered as one of Japan’s top three festivals to feature both majestic floats and fireworks. [...]
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Essential to Japanese cuisine, shoyu, or soy sauce originated from the city of Yuasa in Wakayama. Legend has it that in the 13th century, the Zen Buddhist monk Shinichi Kakushin discovered the wonders of soy sauce totally by accident while making kinzanji miso, a type of bean paste. [...]
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One of Wakayama’s geological wonders, the Sandanbeki rock formation, known as the Sandanbeki Cliffs hide one of Wakayama’s most interesting secret temples in a cave full of history and pirates! [...]
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Uwajima Castle, located in Uwajima city Ehime, is one of only twelve original castles that survive intact from the Edo Period (1603-1867). Built around 1596 by the daimyo Todo Takatora and later refurbished in 1615 by the Date clan, Uwajima Castle was the pinnacle of the Date family [...]
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Built by the seventh feudal lord of the Uwajima domain, Date Munetada, also known as “Shunzan”, Tensha Park is a small garden located in the center of Uwajima city. Date Munetada used it for his own personal pleasure as a place for him to rest during his retirement. [...]
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Located near the river in Uwajima City, Ehime, Taga Shrine is small and quite particular. Indeed locals come and pray at the shrine not only for longevity and good health but in particular, fertility. The shrine is famous among foreign tourist for its many phallic ornaments, including a two meter […]
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