29/07/2024 / Last updated : 29/07/2024 d.d Temple / Shrine

Henro Trail Ryozenji temple　霊山寺

April 3rd. 2024 The rain in the night at michi no eki Itano was of little consequence, stopping and starting in an opportune manner but the day ahead is a wet prospect. We set off to a coin laundry so as not to waste a fine day. Ryozenji temple After the laundry, we go to see temple number 1 of the Henro trail, Ryozenji. This temple is of some interest. It has a solid wooden gate not large but elegant and immediately inside a pond across which is a view of a hall topped with gold ornamentation. The pagoda is of particular interest having a rounded mid-section. I am sure […]

29/07/2024 / Last updated : 29/07/2024 d.d Temple / Shrine

Negoroji (Henro 82) and Ritsurin Koen　根香寺、栗林公園

April 2nd. 2024 A second night at Takarada no Sato is uneventful but we linger and explore the shop when it opens. It has an impressive selection of local veg. The asparagus and shiitake being particularly tempting but useless to us. The bonsai were interesting, and we did buy bread from the bakery for tonight’s dinner. It has the seal of approval. Negoroji temple From the michi no eki we went to Negoroji Temple, Henro number 82. This was a well-maintained place with interesting and unusual features. Notably, a kind of rectangular corridor housing thousands of small figures dimly lit by ornate lanterns. I have never seen anything similar. There […]

25/07/2024 / Last updated : 25/07/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Shiude-yama cherry blossoms　紫雲出山

April 1st. 2024 Luckily, the thunder and rain eased well before mid-night so no frantic dash to the toilets in a downpour. Michi no eki Takarada no Soto is on the noisy side, a lot of traffic in and out and trucks running engines all night. Ichinomiya Park　一の宮公園 Now we have a day to kill as we have a reservation to drive up Shiude-yama to view the cherry blossom. We must be at the fishing port at the foot of the mountain around 4.30pm. First, we take a look at Ichinomiya Koen(park). This is an ordinary sort of park but with a swimming beach. There are people taking advantage of […]

22/07/2024 / Last updated : 22/07/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Iya-kei, the remote gorge beyond Kazura bashi, to Unpeiji temple　祖谷渓から雲辺寺

March 31st. 2024 Early on Sunday morning michi no eki Konoka becomes decidedly less quiet. Numerous people arrive to use the facilities, hikers, bikers, and families. The Radio Taiso (calisthenics) was also something of a shock. A good place that has, nevertheless, withstood the test of a second visit. Nikobuchi　にこ淵 As usual, we are the last of the overnighters to leave as we set off for Nikobuchi. This is a waterfall and blue pool. It has become more well known of late, but the parking is still haphazard at the top of the usual narrow, winding road. There is now a set of prefabricated steps to take you down to […]

17/07/2024 / Last updated : 14/08/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Matsuyama Castle, an original castle tower. 松山城

March 30th. 2024 Michi no eki Nakayama is very busy from early morning. I can only ascribe this to the excellent facilities. The day is warm and hazy as we set off for Matsuyama Castle by way of Unozaki Toge (Pass) and Tobe town(PR53). The pass provides an interesting, narrow, winding drive with typical Shikoku steep mountainsides and narrow valleys. We were hoping for spectacular views from the top of the pass but were hemmed in by trees. Nevertheless, a good route to choose. Dropping down into Tobe town we were expecting a village, but it is quite a substantial place warranting a dual carriageway. The central meridian decorated with […]

16/07/2024 / Last updated : 16/07/2024 d.d Temple / Shrine

Fukoji temple Magaibutsu (Buddha)　普光寺磨崖仏

March 28, 2024 The morning in Michi no eki Harajiri no taki is grey and overcast. Only the swallows are energetic, swooping and weaving in and out of the overhanging roofs and skimming the car park, oblivious to the various devices set to deter them. We take another gentle tiptoe though the tulips and down to the Harajiri waterfall. Here are Oriental Greenfinches, wagtails, and dippers. Fukoji Temple The intermittent drizzle becomes more insistent, and we leave for Fukoji temple to view a large Buddha carved into the rock face. This takes us on an interesting drive mostly along narrow, winding roads strewn with dead sugi foliage. Arriving at Fukoji […]

12/07/2024 / Last updated : 12/07/2024 d.d Hiking / Walking

Shiramizu and Harajiri waterfall　白水の滝、原尻の滝

March 27th. 2024 Aso　阿蘇 Leaving Minami Aso michi no eki Kugino, we set off for Mt. Aso itself. In recent years, sadly, it has not been possible to approach the active crater and peer into the bubbling cauldron. At the topmost car park, still some distance from the crater, the buildings are deserted and derelict. There is still an amazing landscape all around but nothing to the spectacle we could wonder at some years ago. That said, the colour of the dead grasses, bushes in nascent bud, the seams of soil and ash black, orange and red are wonderful. We did not visit Kusasenri this time, but there is good […]

12/07/2024 / Last updated : 12/07/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Scenic Drive R. 442 from Yame to Aso　八女から阿蘇へ

March 26, 2024 A leisurely start to this trip – the first for a year – in that we don’t leave until around mid-day. It is cold, windy and there is persistent drizzle. Soon, before we hit the highway, we stop for lunch at Ohsho. This gyoza chain had it’s origins in Kansai and I remember it as very down market, tin tables, plastic table covers and the staff skating in white gum boots on the greasy floor. It has cleaned up it’s act and is now a very reasonable lunch spot. Cost/performance excellent and the menu extends beyond gyoza and ramen. Cherry blossoms at Hyugami Dam　日向神ダム Soon we are […]