Kagurazaka 神楽坂
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Shirakawago Onsen
白川郷の湯
For a different view of the natural wonders of Shirakawago, you can always explore the natural hot springs. With a nice view over the river (lower right portion of this photo), we were the only ones enjoying this spacious onsen.
Sakurayama Hachimangu in Takayama
桜山八幡宮
There are two walking courses in Takayama. You want to take them both. I took the first (Higashiyama Walking Course) with the family on the day we arrived. On the second day, I set out early on the Kitayama Walking Course and enjoyed the most wonderful walk in the rain that I think I have ever experienced. Along the way I stopped in at this shrine.
Apocalyptic Mt. Fuji
Tokyo and Mt. Fuji
Swastika water
As I’ve mentioned previously, the swastika was commonplace before the Nazis. Now you don’t see it much, except in Japan where it is still usual to see the swastika represent a Buddhist temple on a map or in religious architecture like at this Shinto shrine. Today’s photo is from Nezu Jinja (根津神社) in Tokyo. I’m not sure when this particular temizu basin was created, but this Shinto shrine has been in existence for over 300 years.
Notice the senja fuda (千社札) or stickers on the posts of the covering over the temizubachi (手水鉢). These name stickers were much more common in the Edo Period than they are now, but you still see them. Shrine visitors paste or stick senjafuda on the temple gate or shrine buildings to prove that they visited that temple or shrine and to obtain good luck or good fortune.