24/04/2019 / Last updated : 11/02/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Mt.Yoshino – Kinpusenji and a walk up to Mikunari Shrine 　吉野山

Day 82, November 2016, Yoshinoyama Kinpusenji Temple　　吉野山金峯山寺 Another chilly, damp morning and the rain, despite a contrary forecast, starts before we set off for Mt.Yoshino. We decide to walk in rain suits, if necessary, but when we arrive, the rain has stopped though it is still decidedly chilly. We park in a huge, empty car park and set off uphill for Kinpusenji Zaodo. Kinpusenji Zaoudo is the second largest wooden building after Todaiji temple. It is just as impressive as I remember it from our first motorcycle journey, in cherry blossom season, well over 30 years ago. D. is struck by the huge, wooden pillars that are labeled as wood […]

09/04/2019 / Last updated : 19/02/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Koyasan – Kongobuji and Jisonin　高野山

Day 81, November 2016, Due to the revving of car engines and people chattering, I wake early on a damp misty morning to discover that michi no eki Kudoyama is a meeting point for Suzuki Jimny fans. More and more of the 660 cc. jeeps were arriving every minute, I had no idea they were so popular. We leave the michi no eki and head for Koyasan as the rain arrives. I can feel my muscles complaining as I swing from side to side, winding the car round the incessant bends. I don’t think I have ever felt that sensation before in all my years of driving. Is it the […]

17/03/2019 / Last updated : 11/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Magose Toge, Kumano Kodo Iseji　熊野古道伊勢路

Day 76、November 2016, Kiinagashima Manbo michi no eki Wake on a dry morning in, Kiinagashima Manbo michi no eki which has rather pleasant grounds. There is large pond/sea inlet? with a wooden bridge and, on the walkway around the water, spotted a couple of Jobitaki, some Mejiro and grey wagtails. Not surprising, but pleasant on an early morning walk in T-shirt weather. Miyama michi no eki After a drive of around an hour, we pull in to another road station where one of the Kumano Kodo (Ise-ji) trails begins. At the road station (michi no eki Miyama), they make onigiri for us and provide boiled eggs and tea. Thus provisioned, […]

28/01/2019 / Last updated : 10/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Shirakawago　白川郷

Day 71, November 2016, This morning there is a thin layer of ice all over the car. I had expected the windscreen to be frozen but, not the whole car. Nor had I reckoned on ice on the inside of the windscreen. I think the temperature was -3 C. degrees. We had expected -6 C., as forecast, and were quite warm enough. We began our day with a short drive to Shirakawago but, the weather grows darker and darker. As we arrive, there is a steady drizzle and the temperature has risen only to 6 degrees, so a bit raw. Shirakawago Protected by numerous layers and rain suits we set […]

13/01/2019 / Last updated : 10/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Shiraito no taki and Aokigahara　白糸の滝、青木ヶ原

Day 68, November 2016, Asagirikogen michi-no-eki Despite being 900 meters high in November, it was a warm night. Fujisan looks grey and ominous this morning. The michi-no-eki Asagirikogen is busy though it is before 7am. Even tour busses are pulling in to unload, mainly elderly, passengers to use the toilets. What time did they leave their hotels? We head out early, though clearly, not as early as some. Shiraito no taki – Shiraito Waterfall D. is anxious to get to Shiraito no taki before the crowds as it is a very famous spot. We succeed in this and get to the parking area before the attendants so, free parking for a […]

06/01/2019 / Last updated : 16/03/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Fujisan – Mt.Fuji　　富士山

Day 67、November 2016, Leaving Tokyo Up around 7:30, to get our stuff together and repack the van after 2 nights in Tokyo. At first, we do well heading out of Tokyo but, after entering a long underground section of highway, the navi stops working. It takes a little while for this to become apparent by which time, although still underground, we now have absolutely no idea where we are. We have to surface to establish our whereabouts. It turns out we are around Aoyama and we join the Tomei highway. This was not the one we planned to use but, it is not so congested and soon we can see […]

19/12/2018 / Last updated : 16/03/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Nikko, Senjogahara hiking　日光

Day 61, November 2016, The morning is cold in michi-no-eki Nikko. There is ice on the windscreen for the first time. The michi-no-eki (road station) is not very large but very busy as people visit the toilet and the convenience store. Toshogu, Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is time for us to pay our respects to Tokugawa Ieyasu, so we head out to his shrine, Toshogu. This shrine, where Tokugawa Ieyasu was enshrined as a god, was re-constructed in 1636 by his grandson the third Tokugawa shogun. We have some trouble finding the car park but, eventually, walk to the shrine. The entrance fee is an exorbitant 1300 yen, especially as most […]

05/12/2018 / Last updated : 08/02/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Chusonji Temple　中尊寺

Day 55, November 2016, Chusonji Temple There was rain in the night and the morning is damp and overcast. We set off for Chusonji, which is a heritage site. There are few people about as it is still quite early when we arrive. Rain is threatening, so we take umbrellas and start up the steep approach road to the temple. There are the usual large cedars on either side but the land drops away to the right, giving, as we ascend, an intermittent view of the farmland spread far below. The avenue is dotted on either side with small shrines and, on the way up, we decide to take a […]

world heritage