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The Mysterious Connection Between Kagurazaka and Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site

The Mysterious Connection Between Kagurazaka and Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site I have written several times in my blog that Kagurazaka was built by the 3rd Shogun of the Edo Shogunate, Tokugawa Iemitsu, as a path (Onari-dori) from Ushigome Gate of Edo Castle to the residence of Senior Minister (Tairō) Tadakatsu Sakai. Today, I would like to write about the connection between Kagurazaka and Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site. Kagurazaka and Himeji Connected by the Sakai Family The Senior Minister (Tairō) was a top position temporarily placed above the Senior Councillor (Rōjū) to assist the Shogun. In other words, it was the No. 2 position in the Edo Shogunate. Only four families were eligible for the position of Senior Minister, who were close retainers of the first Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu: the Ii, Sakai (main branch of the Uemon-no-kami family), Doi, and Hotta families. However, the Sakai family was further divided into the main branch of the Himeji Domain (now Hyogo Prefecture) and the separate branch of the Obama Domain (now Fukui Prefecture), both of which had Senior Ministers, making it effectively five families. The first lord of the Obama Domain was Tadakatsu Sakai, the fourth lord to hold theread moreThe Mysterious Connection Between Kagurazaka and Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site

yakushiji

Tourist attractions in Nara Prefecture1

Tourist attractions in Nara Prefecture1   In February, I went on an inspection trip to Nara. This inspection trip was to finalize the use of Google My Maps, which we plan to use for clothing rental logistics and concierge. As it turned out, everything was running smoothly, which was a relief.   Table of Contents 1: Nara Palace Site 2: Toshodaiji Temple 3: Yakushiji Temple 4: Horyu-ji Temple 5: Hokiji Temple   1: Nara Palace Site After arriving in Nara, I rented bicycles from the hotel and visited famous tourist sites, including World Heritage Sites. Sightseeing by train is difficult in Nara as there is no underground system, and the railway network is poorly developed. Sightseeing is possible with the “Gurutto Bus,” which costs 100 yen per ride. But the “Gurutto Bus” don’t have routes to places such as Yakushiji Temple and Horyuji Temple. It depends on where you want to go, but this time I am convinced that a bicycle is the best way to see Nara after touring the sights by bicycle. First, I went to the Nara Palace Site near our hotel. The Heijo Palace Ruins were the center of the Heijo-kyo Capital, which was relocated fromread moreTourist attractions in Nara Prefecture1

Toji

June itinerary in Japan Day 2 (Kyoto prefecture)

June itinerary in Japan Day 2 (Kyoto prefecture) (Thursday, June 9)   Table of contents 1. Toji Temple 2. Fushimi Inari Taisha 3. Hotoji Temple 4. Tofukuji Temple 5. Saisho Kongoin Temple / Funda-in (Sesshuji Temple) 6. Unryu-in 7. Sennyuji Temple   1. Toji Temple I went to Toji Temple at 8:00 in the morning on June 9. Toji Temple is registered as a World Heritage site as a component of “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities),” and its Kondo and five-story pagoda are designated as national treasure buildings. The five-story pagoda of Toji Temple is visible from the Shinkansen, making it the most viewed temple by visitors to Kyoto. Toji Temple was founded in 796. It was built as an national temple for the protection of the Heian-kyo capital. Later, in 823, Emperor Saga bestowed Toji Temple to Kukai (Kobo Daishi), who made it the Konpon Dojo (fundamental training hall) of Shingon esoteric Buddhism. Toji Temple is the only remaining structure from the Heian-kyo period. Due to several fires, no buildings from the time of its foundation remain in Toji Temple. However, the orderly arrangement of the temple buildings in a straight line from south toread moreJune itinerary in Japan Day 2 (Kyoto prefecture)

manda

May itinerary in Japan Day 3 (Kumamoto prefecture)

May itinerary in Japan Day 3 (Kumamoto prefecture) (Thursday, May 19)   Table of contents 1. Einoo Tsurugi Shrine 2. Misumi Port Ferry Terminal (Pyramid of the Sea) 3. Misumi Station 4. Misumi West Port 5. Miike Coal Mine Manda Pit 6. Miike Coal Mine Miyanohara Pit   1. Einoo Tsurugi Shrine I went to “Einoo Tsurugi Shrine”, which is about a 10-minute walk from the accommodation “Kappo Ryokan Shoukin-kan” on the morning of May 19th. Einoo Tsurugi Shrine was founded in 713. It is said that Kaidogami (Tamayori-Hime) came on the back of a huge “Ray (Batoidea)” and was enshrined. At the dinner I had at Nishiki Sushi the day before, the master told me about Einoo Tsurugi Shrine. Residents around Einoo Tsurugi Shrine still do not eat “Ray (Batoidea)” as a god’s companion. A torii stood in the sea overlooking the Shiranui Sea. The precincts of Einoo Tsurugi Shrine (Uki City) are known as a viewing point for the Shiranui phenomenon. It has been designated as a national scenic spot as “Shiranui and Mizushima”. In 2022, the Shiranui phenomenon is scheduled to appear on the night of August 26th.   2. Misumi Port Ferry Terminal (Pyramid of theread moreMay itinerary in Japan Day 3 (Kumamoto prefecture)

Myooin

Summary of March itinerary in Japan (Hiroshima, Okayama)

Summary of March itinerary in Japan (Hiroshima, Okayama)   I traveled to Hiroshima and Okayama prefectures from March 22nd (Tuesday) to March 25th (Friday). I was able to eat a lot of seasonal fish and shellfish and local dishes, and visited wonderful tourist destinations such as World Heritage Sites, National Treasures, National Important Cultural Properties, and National Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings on this trip. It was the most visited tourist destination in the four-day domestic trip so far. I was able to enjoy fresh seafood such as seasonal oysters and agricultural products unique to the production areas such as Kuwai (sagittaria rhizome, Fukuyama City) and Yellow Chinese chives (Kurashiki City), which are overwhelmingly produced in Japan on this trip. In addition, I was able to eat Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and Onomichi ramen, which are typical local gourmet foods. This is the March Japan itinerary that I highly recommend to everyone. Here is a summary of this trip and some notes.   Table of contents 1.”100 best of local dishes” and “Local dishes loved by the nation” by this itinerary in Japan 2. Seasonal “PRIDE FISH” by this itinerary in Japan 3. Travel precautions for itinerary in Japan 4.read moreSummary of March itinerary in Japan (Hiroshima, Okayama)

厳島神社

March itinerary in Japan Day 2 (Hiroshima prefecture)

March itinerary in Japan Day 2 (Hiroshima prefecture) (Wednesday, March 23)   Table of contents 1. Hokoku Shrine, Five-storied Pagoda 2. Mt. Misen 3. Hayashi family residence 4. Daishoin Temple 5. Itsukushima Shrine 6. Daiganji Temple 7. Kokuzenji Temple   1. Hokoku Shrine, Five-storied Pagoda I went to Miyajima (the Island of Itsukushima) on March 23rd. The public transportation I used is as follows. Depart Hiroshima Station at 7:50,  Sanyo Line “bound for Iwakuni”,  arrive at Miyajima-guchi Station at 8:18 Depart JR Miyajima Ferry at 8:30,  “bound for Miyajima Pier”,  arrive at Miyajima Pier at 8:40,  Total fare Yen 600 I left early in the morning, but Miyajima Ferry was quite crowded with junior high school and high school students on school trips. Miyajima is famous as one of the three most scenic spots of Japan. Matsushima in Miyagi and Amanohashidate in Kyoto are also the three most scenic spots of Japan. I went to Matsushima in September 2021 and Amanohashidate in October 2021. Therefore, by visiting Miyajima this time, I was able to go to all the three most scenic spots in Japan within a year. The statue of Kiyomori Taira is located just off Miyajima Pier. Itsukushima Shrineread moreMarch itinerary in Japan Day 2 (Hiroshima prefecture)

Fudoin

March itinerary in Japan Day 1 (Hiroshima prefecture)

March itinerary in Japan Day 1 (Hiroshima prefecture) (Tuesday, March 22)   Table of contents 1. Fudoin 2. Memorial Cathedral for World Peace 3. Shukkeien (Asano Park) 4. Hiroshima Castle 5. Atomic Bomb Dome 6. Children’s Peace Monument 7. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum 8. Shirakami-sha Shrine   1. Fudoin I traveled to Hiroshima and Okayama prefectures from March 22 (Tuesday) for 3 nights and 4 days. This time as well, I sent my luggage to my travel destination and enjoyed the “luggage-free trip”. I flew from Haneda Airport to Hiroshima Airport. The planes I used are as follows. Depart Haneda Airport at 8:15,  ANA673,  arrive at Hiroshima Airport at 9:45 I arrived at Hiroshima Airport and went to Hiroshima city by limousine bus. The limousine buses I used are as follows. Depart Hiroshima Airport at 10:05,  arrive at Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit at 10:55,   Fare Yen 1,370 After arriving in Hiroshima city, I ate okonomiyaki and headed to Fudoin. The public transportation I used is as follows. Depart Hiroshima Station at 12:00,  Sanyo Line “bound for Onoura”,  arrive at Shin-Hakushima Station at 12:03 Depart Shin-Hakushima Station at 12:10,  Astramline “bound for Chorakuji”,  arrive at Fudoin-mae Station at 12:14,  total fareread moreMarch itinerary in Japan Day 1 (Hiroshima prefecture)

ouchijuku

Create an itinerary to tourist destinations by JNTO No.1

Create an itinerary to tourist destinations recommended by JNTO   No.1 The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)’s wonderful Japanese guidebook “100 EXPERIENCES IN JAPAN” does not include “traffic information” for public transportation. In order to make a better itinerary for overseas travelers, we will post traffic information for arriving at the tourist spots listed in “100 EXPERIENCES IN JAPAN” from Tokyo Station and Osaka Station by 12:00 noon. For tours that start before noon, we will post an example of traffic information in time for the tour to start. Traffic information, travel time, and fares are based on Google map and Yahoo route information. Please contact us if your desired arrival time is different or if you have traffic information from places other than Tokyo Station and Osaka Station. TRADITION OUTDOORS CUISINE CITIES NATURE ART RELAXATION   Table of contents for TRADITION 1. An enticing evening with authentic geiko awaits (Ishikawa Prefecture) 2. Train with a true mountain mystic in Yamagata (Yamagata Prefecture) 3. Dance like no-one’s watching in historic Tokushima (Tokushima Prefecture) 4. Watch sacred dance and feel yourself whisked away to bygone times (Hiroshima Prefecture) 5. Learn lost arts at the ancestral home of the ninja! (Mie Prefecture) 6. Experience oneread moreCreate an itinerary to tourist destinations by JNTO No.1

Oshima

November itinerary in Japan Day 4 (Fukuoka Day 2)

November itinerary in Japan Day 4 (Fukuoka Day 2) (Thursday, November 18)   Table of contents 1. Munakata Taisha “Hetsu-miya” 2. Munakata Taisha “Takamiya Saijo (Festival place)” 3. Munakata Taisha “Shinpokan” 4. Munakata Taisha “Okitsu-miya Yohaisho” (Oshima) 5. Munakata Taisha “Nakatsu-miya” (Oshima)   1. Munakata Taisha “Hetsu-miya” On the morning of the 4th day, I went to Munakata Taisha “Hetsu-miya” from Hakata Station. The public transportation I used is as follows. Depart Hakata Station at 8:07,   Kagoshima Line Rapid train bound for Moji Port,    arrive at Togo Station at 8:36,   fare Yen 570 Depart Togo Station at 8:56,   line 1 Nishitetsu bus bound for Konominato Wharf,   arrives at Munakata Taisha at 9:05 ,   fare Yen 240 Munakata Taisha “Hetsu-miya” is a 1-minute walk from the bus stop of Munakata Taisha. Munakata Taisha is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, which is also mentioned in “Nihon Shoki” and “Sequel Nihon Shoki”. It is the head shrine of more than 7,000 shrines in Japan that enshrine the Three Goddesses of Munakata, Itsukushima Shrine. Munakata was the first international port in Japan. As a port to the Korean Peninsula and China, it played the role of diplomacy, commerce, and national defenseread moreNovember itinerary in Japan Day 4 (Fukuoka Day 2)

geibikei

September itinerary in Japan Day 3 (Iwate Day 1)

September itinerary in Japan Day 3 (Iwate Day 1) (Tuesday, September 28)   Table of contents 1, Genbikei Gorge 2, Takkoku no Iwaya 3, Motsuji Temple 4, Kanjizaiō-in ruins 5, Chusonji Temple (Golden Hall, Main Hall) 6, the ruins of Mukyoko-in 7, Geibikei boat ride   On the 3rd day of the itinerary in September (1st day in Iwate prefecture), I visited Chusonji Temple and Konjikido in Hiraizumi, which is a World Heritage Site and a national treasure. I rented a bicycle next to Hiraizumi station and went around the sightseeing spots around Hiraizumi. It was very pleasant to ride a bicycle through the countryside. As expected, the area around the tourist spots on the rental cycle was very efficient. However, due to lack of time, I couldn’t go all around as originally planned. I couldn’t go to Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center, Kinkeizan this time. https://edokagura.com/en/local-cuisine/402/ After all, Takkoku no Iwaya (about 6km from Hiraizumi Station) and Genbikei Gorge (about 9km from Hiraizumi Station) are far away, so it is impossible to go to Takkoku no Iwaya and Genbikei Gorge in half a day to visit all the sightseeing spots in Hiraizumi. It will take a whole day to visitread moreSeptember itinerary in Japan Day 3 (Iwate Day 1)