Now that we are here in Miyauchi we're going to visit Kumano Shrine. With Emi using google maps on her phone it wasn't very difficult to find the shrine.
This place is quite impressive.
With the sound of snow crunching under our feet we walk up the slippery stone steps. Both of us used the hand rail to avoid slipping and falling down.
This is the main shrine!
The origins of the shrine are uncertain. The shrine claims to have been founded in 806 AD by Emperor Heizei as a branch of the famous Kumano Sanzan shrines in Kii Province, and the shrine was associated with the provincial temple of Dewa Province. However, an alternative history states that the shrine was built in the late Heian period by Taira no Koremori by order of Emperor Go-Shirakawa. In either case, the shrine was patronized by the successive feudal lords of the region, including the Date clan, Mogami clan and Uesugi clan. After the Meiji restoration and the creation of State Shinto, the shrine was ranked as a Prefectural Shrine.
Two main features of the shrine are a giant tree which locals believe to be several hundred years old, and a traditional tsurigane bell. The bell is unique because during World War II, most large iron bells in Japan were melted down for their material. The bell at the shrine was saved by order of the Emperor, and is thus one of the few original preserved bells in Japan.
As I wonder around the grounds I'm filled with a sense of peace and tranquility.
Emi always reads the historical information signs.
At one point I lost sight of Emi. I called her name, I walked all around and I couldn't find her.
Then she suddenly appeared. It turns out that she was on the backside of the building on the right trying to find the 3 rabbits. There are three wood carvings of rabbits hidden behind the main hall, and it's said that if you find them all, your wish will be granted. She could only find one. We went back together and looked again... she showed me the one and then we thought we might have found a second but we eventually gave up. BTW, photography is prohibited in that area.
This straw ring is a "chigaya". If one follows the instructions for walking through it 4 times a better life is guarantied. We did, and so did these two visitors.
There were only a few visitors while we were there. Now it's time to leave.
This is a nice little coffee shop located near the bottom of the stone steps.
We returned to Miyauchi train station.
It was close to noon time and a lot of school students were gathered on the train platform.
This is not our train, we're heading in the opposite direction.
This is our train!
All aboard! It's two stops back to Akayu train station for us.
Day 3: Time to go home.
After checking out of our hotel we killed some time at the local library and then we walked to Akayu station to catch our Shinkansen train back to Tokyo. As one can see in the picture, the weather was not good and the walk to the station sucked!
We happily arrived at the station.
Out on the train platform and I'm looking for the train. Emi told me I was looking in the wrong direction.
Of course, she was right. Looking in the other direction and here comes our train.
The big bullet train glides into the station.
The train is impressive.
Last shot of the trip: The doors open and we and the other passengers enter the train; within a couple of minutes the train is underway headed for Tokyo.
Thanks for stopping by!Mike
Bonus shots!
