Last additions - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

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Last additions - SHIMANE 島根県

Inside Shisei Kuwabara Photographics Museum. The museum was originally a documentary photo museum and they asked Kuwabara if they could rename it in 2004. So it exhibits mainly his photos, although it does not preserve or possess his photos. So it's Aug 02, 2018

Entrance to the photo museum in Tsuwano. The museum also houses the local tourist information office. 桑原史成写真美術館Aug 02, 2018

In front of JR Tsuwano Station is the Shisei Kuwabara Photographics Museum that exhibits photos by documentary photographer Shisei Kuwabara who is from Tsuwano. Aug 02, 2018

I really liked Tsuwano. It's a small town surrounded by steep mountains. It feels like a Swiss resort in the Alps. It has traditional buildings and the famous Inari Shrine. Photogenic place.Tsuwano is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).
JR Tsuwano StationAug 02, 2018

Train tracks cross over the path to the Inari Shrine.Feb 15, 2018

Yasaka Jinja's centuries old zelkova keyaki tree.Feb 15, 2018

About Yasaka Jinja.Feb 15, 2018

Lion dancer was at Yasaka Jinja for New Year's.Feb 15, 2018

Yasaka Jinja in Tsuwano.Feb 15, 2018

Near Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine is anotjer Shinto shine named Yasaka Jinja.Feb 15, 2018

Way to Inari Shrine.Feb 15, 2018

Shrine's first torii in town.Feb 15, 2018

Stone lantern near the shrine entrance.Feb 15, 2018

Feb 15, 2018

From a distance, you see the shrine halfway up the mountain.Feb 15, 2018

Shrine gateFeb 15, 2018

Fried tofu, a good snack.Feb 15, 2018

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Walking back down from the shrine.Feb 15, 2018

Shrine gateFeb 15, 2018

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Inside the shrine's old worship hall called Motomiya.Feb 15, 2018

The shrine's old worship hall called Motomiya. Used before the current shrine Haiden worship hall was built in 1969.Feb 15, 2018

View from the parking lot.Feb 15, 2018

The shrine's parking lot is downstairs. If you have a car, you can skip hiking through the torii gates and drive up here. There's also a trail to Tsuwano Castle.Feb 15, 2018

Feb 15, 2018

New Year's charms.Feb 15, 2018

Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's ema prayer tablet.Feb 15, 2018

Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's ema prayer tablet for 2018, Year of the Dog.Feb 15, 2018

Ema prayer tablets.Feb 15, 2018

Shrine office and souvenirs.Feb 15, 2018

Feb 15, 2018

Shrine offices and souvenir stand.Feb 15, 2018

Inside Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.Feb 15, 2018

Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.Feb 15, 2018

Since it was New Year's 2018, a kadomatsu decorated the Haiden.Feb 15, 2018

Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.Feb 15, 2018

Finally reached the shrine.Feb 15, 2018

Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's Haiden worship hall.Feb 15, 2018

Gate to Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.Feb 15, 2018

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Wash basin to purify yourself before praying at the shrine.Feb 15, 2018

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This is what the torii looks like up close. It's a giant torii next to the mountain highway on the way to Tsuwano. Donated by someone for the shrine.Feb 15, 2018

A closer look at the torii in the mountains.Feb 15, 2018

On the mountain in the distance, you can see a vermillion torii.Feb 15, 2018

Feb 15, 2018

Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine toriisFeb 15, 2018

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View of the adjacent valley.Feb 15, 2018

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Makeshift roof over a bunch of toriis.Feb 15, 2018

Torii peg.Feb 15, 2018

Another switchback.Feb 15, 2018

Map of the torii path and shrine.Feb 15, 2018

Small shrine on the way up.Feb 15, 2018

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Nice view as you go up. Lower left shows the entrance torii.Feb 15, 2018

One of the torii switchbacks on the way up.Feb 15, 2018

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Moss growing on the top.Feb 15, 2018

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Inside the torii tunnel at Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.Feb 15, 2018

Inside the torii tunnel at Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine in Tsuwano, Shimane PrefectureFeb 15, 2018

Feb 15, 2018

Many of the toriis are very old like this one from 1926.Feb 15, 2018

Feb 15, 2018

Entering Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.Feb 15, 2018

Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's many toriis going up the mountain.Feb 15, 2018

Entrance to Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine.Feb 15, 2018

Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine's many toriis going up the mountain.Feb 15, 2018

In Tsuwano, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Taikodani Inari Jinja Shrine is on a hilltop with its many toriis clearly visible from the nearby river.Feb 15, 2018

Nicknamed Tsuwano O-Inarisan, Taikodani Inari Jinja is one of Japan's Top Five Inari shrines noted for many vermillion torii gates along the path to the shrine.The shrine worships Uka-no-Mitama, a deity associated with food and agriculture, and the goddess Izanami. It is Shimane Prefecture's second most popular shrine after Izumo Taisha. About a 20-min. walk from JR Tsuwano Station.Feb 15, 2018

About the Izumo no Okuni dancer. Quite a mysterious historical figure.Feb 08, 2018

Statue of Izumo no Okuni dancer near the first Otorii gate.Feb 08, 2018

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Iwami kagura dance masksFeb 08, 2018

Iwami kagura dance costumesFeb 08, 2018

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Haniwa figuresFeb 08, 2018

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Closeup of bronze bell design.Feb 08, 2018

Dotaku bronze bells that are all National Treasures in Shimane.Feb 08, 2018

Other museum exhibits included many different ancient artifacts like dotaku bronze bells that are all National Treasures.Feb 08, 2018

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PotteryFeb 08, 2018

BoatFeb 08, 2018

Old tsuzumi shoulder drum and koto.Feb 08, 2018

Pottery kilnFeb 08, 2018

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Models of the different shrine building architencture in Japan.Feb 08, 2018

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Rear view of the shrine scale models.Feb 08, 2018

These two models are similar to the large model.Feb 08, 2018

The five models look quite different although they are in agreement on some things like the number of pillars supporting the Honden. Feb 08, 2018

It is unknown exactly what Izumo Taisha's Honden Hall looked like during the 13th century Kamakura Period. Based on the evidence they could find, five researchers built their own scale models of what they thought the Honden Hall looked like.Feb 08, 2018

Very impressive model of the shrine.Feb 08, 2018

High wooden pillars supporting the Honden Hall so that it is closer to the gods.Feb 08, 2018

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Wonder how resistant this was to typhoons and earthquakes.Feb 08, 2018

Little priests going up the many stairs.Feb 08, 2018

The elevated shrine supposed to make it closer to gods.Feb 08, 2018

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People believe that the original shrine was on high pillars accessible by this long, sloping wooden steps. Really awesome.Feb 08, 2018

The museum's centerpiece exhibit is this scale model of Izumo Taisha's Honden Hall from the 10th-century Heian Period. Feb 08, 2018

Remains of the giant pillars of the ancient Izumo Taisha.Feb 08, 2018

Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018.Feb 08, 2018

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New Year's kadomatsu at Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. Feb 08, 2018

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Within the shrine grounds is the very impressive Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. (島根県立古代出雲歴史博物館)Feb 08, 2018

Lawn outside Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo. Feb 08, 2018

Shimane's official tourism mascot named "Shimanekko," a yellow cat with a shrine roof cap. しまねっこFeb 08, 2018

Souvenir shop selling all kinds of Izumo Taisha goods.Feb 08, 2018

Local manga figure based on the Izumo no Okuni dancer. She was from Izumo and originated kabuki in the early 17th century. 出雲阿国Feb 08, 2018

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New Year'sFeb 08, 2018

Kaguraden entrance areaFeb 08, 2018

Small dishes for a sip of sake if you give a small donation. They also had this in front of the Honden. Feb 08, 2018

Small pond next to the Kaguraden.Feb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha's Kaguraden.Feb 08, 2018

Entrance to Izumo Taisha's Kaguraden.Feb 08, 2018

Under the giant shimenawa straw rope.Feb 08, 2018

Feb 08, 2018

Rear side of the giant shimenawa straw rope.Feb 08, 2018

Closeup of the giant shimenawa straw rope.Feb 08, 2018

Giant shimenawa straw rope of Izumo Taisha Shrine's Kaguraden, the largest sacred rope in Japan. Weighs 5 tons.Feb 08, 2018

Kaguraden Hall (for sacred dances) is famous for its gigantic straw rope. It looked pretty faded and I was told that it will be replaced in 2018. They replace it once every 7 years or so.Feb 08, 2018

Kaguraden Sacred Dance Hall Feb 08, 2018

Way to the Kaguraden Sacred Dance Hall.Feb 08, 2018

West Jukusha Shrines where visiting gods lodge during the Kami-ari-zuki festival. There's also a twin building on the east side. 十九社八百萬神Feb 08, 2018

Near the gate to the Honden are souvenir tents during New Year's.Feb 08, 2018

New shrine office under construction.Feb 08, 2018

Feb 08, 2018

Lots of construction going on in jan. 2018.Feb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha ema prayer tablet for a good marriage.Feb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha ema prayer tablet for the Year of the Dog.Feb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha ema prayer tablets.Feb 08, 2018

Feb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha has many smaller shrines surrounding it. Feb 08, 2018

East Jukusha Shrines where the millions of visiting gods lodge during the Kami-ari-zuki festival in autumn. There's also a twin building on the west side. 十九社八百萬神Feb 08, 2018

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Taisha-zukuri architecture.Feb 08, 2018

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Shrine priests praying in front of the Honden on New Year's Day 2018.Feb 08, 2018

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Izumo Taisha's Honden, a National Treasure. The V-shaped roof ornaments (chigi), an unmistakable trademark of Shinto, also look slightly different from other shrine architectural styles.Feb 08, 2018

Rear side view of the Amasaki-no-Yashiro, Mimukai-no-Yashiro, and Honden shrines. 東端垣から天前社・御向社・本殿を望むFeb 08, 2018

About the shrine library. Mito Komon once donated books to this library.Feb 08, 2018

Shrine library built in 1667 and moved here in 1914. 文庫Feb 08, 2018

Soga Shrine, a smaller shrine behind the Honden. 素鵞（そが）社本殿Feb 08, 2018

Rabbits or hares at Izumo Taisha, symbol of fertility and marriage.Feb 08, 2018

Back of Izumo Taisha's Honden in the Taisha-zukuri style. National Treasure. Rabbits or hares look on too. 本殿Feb 08, 2018

Back of Izumo Taisha's Honden in the Taisha-zukuri style. National Treasure. 本殿Feb 08, 2018

Shokokan, a museum of dolls. Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. 彰古館Feb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha's Honden built in the Taisha-zukuri style as seen from the left corner. National Treasure. 本殿Feb 08, 2018

Fence surrounding the Honden.Feb 08, 2018

Smaller shrine. 氏社Feb 08, 2018

Photo of the Izumo Taisha Honden. Built in the Taisha-zukuri style. National Treasure. 本殿Feb 08, 2018

Honden (largest and tallest structure) flanked on both sides by smaller shrines.Feb 08, 2018

The Honden is flanked on both sides by smaller shrines.Feb 08, 2018

The large roof of the Honden Hall (god's residence) can be seen in the center.Feb 08, 2018

You can walk completely around the main shrine buildings outside the fence at Izumo Taisha.Feb 08, 2018

Omikuji charms.Feb 08, 2018

Carvings on the Gate to the Izumo Taisha Honden. Feb 08, 2018

Gate to the Izumo Taisha Honden. Photography was not permitted beyond this gate. It was just a small deck with an offertory box in front of the Honden's Romon Gate. They also sold small dishes of sake.Feb 08, 2018

Emblem on the gate.Feb 08, 2018

Gate to the Izumo Taisha Honden, the god's residence.Feb 08, 2018

Barrels of sake decorating the perimeter near the gate to the Honden.Feb 08, 2018

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Gate to the Honden, the god's residence.Feb 08, 2018

Back of Haiden.Feb 08, 2018

Shimenawa sacred rope Feb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha's Haiden worship hall's shimenawa sacred rope.Feb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha's Haiden worship hall.Feb 08, 2018

Map of Izumo Taisha's central buildings centering on the Honden.Feb 08, 2018

Map of Izumo Taisha Shrine. Not as huge as Ise Jingu, but large enough.Feb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha's Haiden worship hall where you can hold prayers and other ceremonies like in a church. Rebuilt in 1959 after the previous one was lost in a fire in 1953. 拝殿Feb 08, 2018

Third torii made of copper and the Haiden. 碧銅の鳥居と拝殿Feb 08, 2018

Water basin 手水舎 I got there at around 8:30 am and it wasn't so crowded. Of course, there were people, but there was no problem walking to the shrine. No stopping like at other famous shrines like Ise Jingu and Meiji Shrine on New Year's Day. Izumo Taisha was sparse in comparison.Feb 08, 2018

Water basin 手水舎Feb 08, 2018

Approaching the third torii.Feb 08, 2018

The Sando path to the shrine is actually in the center toward the left of the photo. But they have blocked off the center path to protect the roots of the pine trees. Now thay have made concrete sidewalks outside the center path.Feb 08, 2018

Second torii looking toward the exit.Feb 08, 2018

This center path is reserved for the gods visiting Izumo Taisha. Humans have to walk on the side paths to the shrine. 参道Feb 08, 2018

Sando path to the shrine. 参道Feb 08, 2018

Sign says we are not to walk along center path in order to protect the roots of the pine trees. I'm also told that this center path is reserved for the gods visiting the shrine..Feb 08, 2018

Sando path to the shrine. 参道Feb 08, 2018

Lots of people took selfies here in front of the torii and big stone pillar engraved with "IZUMO TAISHA." For Instagram of course.Feb 08, 2018

Lots of people took selfies here in front of the torii and "IZUMO TAISHA." For Instagram of course.Feb 08, 2018

This is the second and most popular torii at Izumo Taisha. With the big stone pillar engraved with "IZUMO TAISHA."Feb 08, 2018

On New Year's Day 2018, many people visit Izumo Taisha Shrine by car. Lots of parking was provided, but I always saw the "Full" sign.Feb 08, 2018

Izumo, Shimane manhole. Shows Hinomisaki lighthouse.Feb 08, 2018

On New Year's Day 2018, cars and people crowd the road to the shrine.Feb 08, 2018

Retro style building on the way to the shrine.Feb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha-mae Station trains. If you're staying near Izumo-shi Station, taking a bus is more convenient.Feb 08, 2018

Inside Izumo Taisha-mae Station.Feb 08, 2018

Inside Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Taisha Line. Opened in 1930, now a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.Feb 08, 2018

Closest train station to Izumo Taisha Shrine is Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Taisha Line. There are also buses running from Izumo-shi Station. 出雲大社前駅Feb 08, 2018

About the Otorii.Feb 08, 2018

Torii pillarFeb 08, 2018

Izumo Taisha Shrine is one of Japan's Top Three most famous and important Shinto shrines. Historically, it may be Japan's oldest shrine. The Honden hall is a National Treasure.Izumo Taisha Shrine's first torii called Otorii (Giant Torii). I visited Izumo Taisha on New Year's Day Jan. 1, 2018. 大鳥居Feb 08, 2018

Sign reads, "Izumo Taisha" (出雲大社). The shrine's officially named "Izumo Oyashiro" written with the same kanji.Izumo Taisha worships Okuninushi (大国主大神), the Shinto god of marriage and Kotoamatsukami, the very first Shinto gods born in heaven even before Japan was created.Feb 08, 2018