I went to photograph the garden of Rurikoin in Kyoto this November.

This is the Hiwatari Festival at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

This is the garden of Rurikoin Temple in Kyoto City

A small worshipper I met at Kusubian Kannonji Temple, the 20th site I visited on the Kawachi Saigoku 33-temple pilgrimage.

Photographed on November 10, 2025. These are the floral water displays at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. I took another shot from a different angle.

Photographed on November 10, 2013. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

Notice of the Special Exhibition of the Treasure Hall at Hyuga Yakushi This fall, an exhibition will specially display precious temple treasures that delve into the history of Hyuga Yakushi. Organized by the Isehara City Council for Preservation and Use of Local Cultural Properties, the exhibition centers on the city-designated cultural property, the woodblock printing plate of the Den Myosawa Fudo (Den Myosawa Fudōson), and generously exhibits many temple treasures that are not usually on view. Come and see for yourself the breath of a long history and the crystallization of faith and craftsmanship that have been passed down. ◆ Exhibition Period October 31, 2025 (Friday) to November 13, 2025 (Thursday) Open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed in severe weather) ◆ Venue Hyuga Yakushi Hojobo Treasure Hall (1644 Hyuga, Isehara City) ◆ Admission Fee 300 yen (student rates, group rates, and other discounts available) For details, please visit the official website https://www.hinatayakushi.com/%e4%bb%a4%e5%92%8c7%e5%b9%b410%e6%9c%8831%e6%97%a5%e9%87%91-%ef%bd%9e-11%e6%9c%8813%e6%97%a5%e6%9c%a8-%e5%ae%9d%e6%ae%bf%e7%89%b9%e5%88%a5%e5%b1%95%e8%a6%a7%e4%bc%9a%e3%82%92%e9%96%8b%e5%82%ac/#news_single_body...

Kiyomi Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture. The Tokaido Line passes right in front of the Temple. It's ✨ a very idyllic place

The Nakasendo and Five Post Towns within Shiojiri City Along the Nakasendo, there were 69 post towns stretching from Nihombashi in Edo to Sanjo Ohashi in Kyoto. Although the Shiojiri area had more hills and slopes than the Tokaido, travelers could keep to their planned schedules because prolonged delays caused by river closures were rare. Within Shiojiri, the Nakasendo included five post towns: Shiojiri-juku, Seba-juku, Motoyama-juku, Niekawa-juku, and Narai-juku. 1. Shiojiri-juku (the 30th station from Nihombashi) Shiojiri-juku stood on the border between the Matsumoto and Suwa domains. A checkpoint called the kuchidome-bansho, which inspected rice and prohibited goods, was established there. Honjin and waki-honjin served officials on sankin-kotai, and by the late shogunate period the number of inns ranked second on the Nakasendo and first in Shinano. 2. Seba-juku (the 31st station from Nihombashi) Seba-juku lies at the fork between the Nakasendo and the Zenkoji Kaido. It hosted one of the Nakasendo’s three kanmearisho, offices that measured grain. A great fire in the early Showa era destroyed much of the post town’s appearance, but a stone lantern marking the old fork remains. 3. Motoyama-juku (the 32nd station from Nihombashi) Said to be the birthplace of soba-kiri noodles, Motoyama-juku prospered as the gateway to Kiso and the exit of the Matsumoto Basin. Its honjin accommodated Princess Kazunomiya when she married Tokugawa Iemochi, and later served as lodgings during Emperor Meiji’s imperial tour in Meiji 13 (1880). 4. Niekawa-juku (the 33rd station from Nihombashi) Niekawa-juku marks the entrance to the eleven post towns of the Kiso Road. Niekawa Sekisho checkpoint guarded this key transport chokepoint on the Nakasendo, and the town developed through lodging services and long-distance trade. 5. Narai-juku (the 34th station from Nihombashi) Famed as “Narai Senken” with a thousand bustling shops in its heyday, Narai-juku still preserves much of its historical atmosphere and today draws many visitors as a popular tourist destination.

Photographed on 10/14/25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

A scene in the early morning of Horen-in, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. It's late November, when the Autumn leaves is Best time to visit, and while you There is a the Philosopher's Road, which is a Famous place for tourists, if you go early in the morning, you can enjoy the quiet that is not popular, and you can also enjoy the fallen leaves that have not yet been trampled.

Daishizan Seidaiji Temple to Echizen Daibutsu! There was a big Great Buddha and many stone statues! The three of us tried desperately to count the numbers, but in the end there were so many that I couldn't figure them out lol 😆.

Photographed 10/6/25. Named after the famous moon of mid-autumn, it is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. 🎑

Autumn at Meiseiwa Temple The red spider liliies blooming around the stairs are very picturesque. Gifu Prefecture Ogaki City Meiseiwa Temple 2025/10

This is one of the photos when I was traveling to see the cherry blossoms in Yamanashi Prefecture in Spring this year. I visited this temple when I heard that there was a magnificent Cherry Blossom Tree-lined Path. Local grandpas were enjoying a banquet under the cherry blossoms in full bloom. When I saw everyone looking up at the beautiful cherry blossoms overhead, I thought that Spring had come for everyone, and I clicked the shutter.

Photographed on September 3, 25. It is a lantern of the Annual Grand Festival of Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin. 🏮

Photographed on September 3, 25. Prayer at Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin. September 22 is the Annual Grand Festival.

Light up of the former Chikurin-in Temple in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. I didn't get a good shot of the reflection of the desk. The result is a colorful photo.

Photographed on August 16, 25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

【👒Summer in Gokase 2025 Photo Submissions — Spotlight 1👒】 We are featuring photos submitted to the "#Summer in Gokase 2025" contest currently running on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account! @goto0619 @niidome2110 @sakai_0808 Thank you for your submissions 😆✨ We are still accepting entries!! How to enter (Submission period — through September 15) Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account (@gokase_kanko) and post with the hashtags "#Summer in Gokase 2025" and "#Gokase" 📸 We look forward to your entries 🙇‍♀️✨

I photographed a woman in a yukata strolling in a cool traditional charm in the shade of many hydrangeas and green trees. Surrounded by hydrangeas and green trees on the slopes, I captured a woman in a yukata with the bell tower in the background in the center of the photo, giving a sense of Japan. Shooting location: Nogo Temple, Famous for hydrangeas in Kumagaya City

I expressed the Traditional charm of a woman in a yukata taking a cool walk while looking at many hydrangeas. The bell tower and yukata in the background make you feel the Traditional charm of Japan. Location: A hydrangea Famous in Kumagaya City, Saitama prefecture Temple

Hello everyone! Today, I would like to introduce 🎶🎶🎶 a tour organized by the Minami Town Tourism Association For two days from October 12, 2025 [Sunday], in the Hiwasa area of Minami Town, "Minami Town Hiwasa District History and Culture Trip Yakuo Temple Special Inner Worship & Autumn Two Major Festivals" will be held in 😄 In addition to seeing the stall drum "Chosa" of the Hiwasa Yawata Shrine Autumn Festival, the dedication blowtube fireworks at Akamatsu Shrine, you can participate in the special inner worship of the 23rd temple of the 88 Shikoku sacred sites, Yakuo Temple! !! Please 🎵😆 enjoy the autumn hiwasa full of historical atmosphere For more information on the tour and how to apply, please see the flyer! We look forward to your participation! * This tour is for women only.

Photographed on June 21, 25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

In the past, there were "round-table discussions" and "historical walking tours" in the Tomi City Yoshizu area, where Azusa kamiko (priestesses) called "Nonou" who were said to be the "Village priestesses of No.1 in Japan" and who traveled around the world gathered. Local residents' volunteers held the "Nishinomiya-ri Development Association," which was attended by 15 people from inside and outside the prefecture, including history buffs and tourism officials. "In the Spring, a group of several to several dozen priestesses, led by the Shinto ritual Maitao, set out on a tour from Nonou Alley, and they divined their worries, sufferings, and wishes in the village where they toured," says Hirofumi Shinohara, secretary of the association. He is the "descendant family of the Shinto ritual Maitao (owner of Nishinomiya Shrine)", and Ancient documents are handed down to the house, and researchers who visit from all over the country and people who admire Nonou are accepted and visited to guide the history of the area. 　Four years ago, I held a walking priestess tour in Pre, and this is the second time. 　In March of this year, he published "Nonou's Picture Book" in order to let Local children know about it. At a roundtable discussion held at the Community Center, Mr. Shinohara said, "I would like to broaden my horizons and experience the history and culture of Jozu with Nonou." He explained his involvement with Sengoku Warlords such as Takeda Shingen, and how the area was spun by people such as the Sanada clan, Yamabushi, and Nonou of Yuzu while playing an active role. 　He also spoke about the endemic nature of Yoshizu, saying, "There were many things related to women, such as being kind to women, and there were a variety of livelihoods." Tyler Lynch, the young husband of Tokura Kamiyamada Hot Spring "Ryokan Kamekiyo," who participated in the event, said, "It is very interesting from a European and Rice perspective. Ms. Shinohara said, "There is no historical record that the priestess had a Gari of espionage activities or that she was acting as a female ninja, but since she was in a position to travel around the country and see and hear various Information, how she used it is Squid world of imagination." Kazuo Hayakawa, secretary general of the Shinshu Toumi Tourism Association, said, "I hope people will learn about the culture of Yoshitsu Village. There is also a culture where Nishinomiya and Higashimachi compete with each other." The historical walking tour was led by Mr. Shinohara and guided by Local officials such as Hiroaki Igarashi and Mr. Hayakawa of Jotsuin. After visiting Nonou's grave, the ruins of the mansion, the alley of Nonou, and the Nishinomiya Shrine, Mr. Shinohara "cleansed his body by bathing in cold Water at this well (the ruins of the mansion)." At the Nishinomiya Shrine, "I used to watch my grandfather printing bills until I was in junior high school." 　At Kanai alley, he said, "You can see Mt. Misaki from here, Mr. Kanai was in charge of the Mt. Mijayama Festival, and there were priestesses and priestesses among the hospitality, and they offered the deer caught on Mt. Misaki to the gods." Visiting the site of the Jotsu-in temple opened by Mr. Yoshitsu under the guidance of Sumitomo Igarashi. 　At the gravesite of the Yoshitsu clan, we learned about Roux and the face of the falconer sect, and the falconry ritual of the Suwa faith. 　In addition to this, we also visited the Maiden River, the megalith of the princess, the Nishinomiya Kabuki Stage, and the Higashimachi Kabuki Stage. Mayumi Castro Kagura, a priestess and writer from Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, said, "I've been interested in Yoshitsu for the past two years and have been coming here frequently. Kaori Yamazaki, a participant from Nagano City, said, "I have walked since I participated in the Walking Priestess Tour four years ago, and this is a good opportunity to listen to the explanations, so I hope it will continue in the future." Yu Takizawa, who participated from Sugadaira Highlands in Ueda City, said, "I'm planning a walking priestess tour with my friends, and I want to dress up as a priestess and walk while thinking about it." On July 7th, the members who participated this time will take the lead in holding the "Walking Priestess Tour" of the Yoshitsu Historical Walk. 　Under the guidance of Mr. Takizawa, the Traditional Culture Study Group groups, and under the guidance of Mr. Tyler, the "Ninja Project groups" will tour Yuzu. < Historical Notes> ◇ Nonou's tour of countries: Emotional support for the common people 　As a mediator between gods and people, Nonou performed "mouth-to-mouth" activities such as ringing the azusa bow and conveying oracles. 　It supported the spirit of the common people from the Sengoku period to the Edo period. The warlord also borrowed Nonou's mouth to obtain a prophecy of victory from the gods, alleviating the fear of death and giving him confidence of victory. 　In the Edo period, the largest number of nonou lived in the Village of Akizu, and there were about 50 nonou houses. With the approval of the Edo shogunate's temple and shrine magistrates, the Saiai Shinto Shinto ritual Maitao and Nonou, who presided over Azusa Jinko, formed a caravan and were able to tour the countries freely. 　In the Meiji era, activities were banned by the religious policy of the new government, and many sought new ways of life, such as closing businesses or immigrating. ◇Minamoto of Nonou Historical soil of Akizu 　As for why priestesses gathered in the Village of Yoshitsu, according to Higashimomachi magazines and magazines, it is considered that the land of Yoshitsu has been a soil for accepting priestesses since ancient times, and place names and remnants related to women and Shinto ritual. 　Tradition reminiscent of the origins of Nonou and the historical climate of Yoshitsu are listed in chronological order. 　▽ From the Kofun period to the Nara period, the central power advanced into the area, and the culture of the ancient center flourished in this area 　▽ The changes in place names that remain in ancient times (Umino Township→ Miss Village→ Maiden Township → Umino Sho) are place names that indicate the local character that has a deep relationship with "Yubu" in ancient times, and the figure of Yube, the priestesses who participated in the requiem Shinto ritual of performing Kagura dances and playing divine spirits, comes to mind 　▽ From the end of the Heian period to the beginning of the Edo period, the Shino clan of the Yoshitsu clan made a name for themselves as the best falconers in the eastern part of the country, and there are many secret traditions among the falconers, and shamanism can be seen in them. 　▽ The Yoshitsu clan is strongly associated with medieval Suwa, and the local characters "Mijakuyama", Iwai-do, and Kanai alley that remain in the former Akizu Village convey the faces of the Mijayama Shinto ritual (hunting Shinto ritual) that the Yoshitsu clan would have performed as a clan of the Suwa no kami clan. Mt. Misaki is a hunting ground, and Iwai-do is a remnant of a place (celebration hall) for divine festivals. Kanai alley is a place name that conveys the place of residence of the Kanai clan, who served as a deer priest who prepared dishes to be offered to the gods, and who served as a large city official who dedicated kagura at festivals and conveyed divine proclamations.　▽ During the Sengoku period, Chiyo Mochizuki, who was appointed as the head priestess (priestess) of both Kai and Shinano by a shuin stamp letter from Takeda Shingen, relied on her connections and settled in Yuzu Village. 　▽ In the Edo period, Yoshitsu was the main flag, so it was easy for Nonou and others to work and the backing of the shogunate. Toshin Journal electronic version2025-6-29 12:32 Theme: Quoted from Toumi News No.1 in Japan's Most Walking Priestess Village Picture book of "Yuzu no U"　 Planning and Publication: Nishinomiya Village Development Association (Nonou Research Group) Text: Hirofumi Shinohara Illustration: Hitoshi Maruyama Phone for Contact: 090-8509-5859 (Mr. Shinohara)

\ New Articles / Enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu, Nikko Toshogu Shrine ✨ in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, full of historical romance There are plenty of highlights, such as the beautiful "Yangming Gate" with its colorful sculptures and the famous "Don't See, Don't Say, Don't Hear" Three Monkeys! 🐒🌟 It is a place where you can fully feel the traditional beauty of Japan and its charm as a power spot. Nikko Toshogu Shrine for both history and photography lovers, check it 👇 out now

Photographed on July 9, 25. It is a fox lottery of Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin. It is also close to Nagatacho Station.

It is the Great Buddha of Gifu I used a kaleidoscope lens to shoot the left, front, and right side

Photographed on June 15, 25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. 🌻

Kuan Temple 697 Fushio-cho, Ikeda-shi, Osaka Opened in the Nara period, the tower gate, which is awarded as the first elegance, is designated as an important cultural property of the National Important Cultural Property. Kansai Flower Temple No. 12 Sacred Ground. Flowers are lined up throughout the four seasons, such as peonies and hirato in Spring, hydrangeas and rhododendrons in summer, Autumn leaves in autumn, and waxy Ume plums and mountain tea flowers in winter, and it is also known as the "Temple of Flowers". Please check the hydrangea kabe on the Home page.