 Last additions - Ena 恵那市 |
Bus to Ena Station (about 15 min.). They run very infrequently, so be sure to check the return bus schedule.Dec 15, 2021
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Statue of Buddhist priest Kobo Daishi near the bus stop. Built around 1932 in memory of those who died while building Oi Dam. It was also built to attract tourists. Kobo Daishi founded Shingon Buddhism.Dec 15, 2021
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Gift shops on the way back to the bus stop.Dec 15, 2021
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Going back down from Sazanami Park.Dec 15, 2021
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Also a playground for kids.Dec 15, 2021
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From Germany where he bought water wheels for his hydroelectric power plant, Momosuke brought Hana peach flowers (hanamomo) to Japan.Dec 15, 2021
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About Fukuzawa Momosuke and Kawakami Sadayakko. Momosuke was inspired by father-in-law Yukichi who said electricity was necessary for Japan's economic development and mechanization.Dec 15, 2021
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Relief of Kawakami Sadayakko (or Sada Yacco 1871–1946) who was Momosuke's mistress and former geisha who was also previously mistress to Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi. She helped Momosuke build and design seven dams along Kiso River. 川上 貞奴Dec 15, 2021
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Momosuke Square at the top of Sazanami Park. Statue of Fukuzawa Momosuke, son-in-law of Fukuzawa Yukichi. Momosuke built the Oi Dam that created this Enakyo reservoir and hydroelectric power.Dec 15, 2021
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Small hill called Hanamomo-no-Oka.Dec 15, 2021
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Lookout point on Sazanami Park.Dec 15, 2021
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View of Benten Island.Dec 15, 2021
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Upper level of Sazanami Park.Dec 15, 2021
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Pray to Benzaiten for success in life, passing exams, love, and art and design.Dec 15, 2021
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Benten Island is the tip of a mountain now submerged by the dammed river.Dec 15, 2021
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Statue of the goddess Benzaiten, protector against floods and water accidents. Goddess of anything that flows, including music.Dec 15, 2021
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Statue of the goddess Benzaiten and shiny offertory box.Dec 15, 2021
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Benten Island has a statue of the goddess Benzaiten.Dec 15, 2021
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Bridge to Benten Island.Dec 15, 2021
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From Sazanami Park, a bridge to Benten Island.Dec 15, 2021
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Map of Sazanami Park. You can walk around it in 15-20 min. (Longer if you like to take pictures.)Dec 15, 2021
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Big maple tree.Dec 15, 2021
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Flowers grown and groomed by Ena Agricultural High School students studying landscape design.Dec 15, 2021
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Definitely the right place for red maple leaves. Most were already very red.Dec 15, 2021
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Most maple trees aren't that large, but the river in the background makes them scenic.Dec 15, 2021
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Red maple leaves on the right side of Sazanami Park.Dec 15, 2021
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About the tanka poem by poet Kitahara Hakushu.Dec 15, 2021
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Tanka poem monument for poet Kitahara Hakushu.Dec 15, 2021
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Tanka poetry monument on the tip of Sazanami Park. Lower monument commemorates the development of Enakyo.Dec 15, 2021
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On the upper level of Sazanami Park, looking toward the tip.Dec 15, 2021
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On the upper level of Sazanami Park, looking toward the tip.Dec 15, 2021
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On the right side of Sazanami Park, Ena-kyo Wonderland can be seen on the mountain. An amusement park, closed for winter from Nov. to Feb..Dec 15, 2021
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Upstream toward Enakyo Ohashi Bridge.Dec 15, 2021
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View of the river from the right side of Sazanami Park.Dec 15, 2021
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View of Kiso River from the tip of Sazanami Park. Right below Shinonome Ohashi Bridge (東雲大橋) in the distance is Oi Dam built in 1924 as Japan's first hydroelectric dam. The dam created this reservoir in Ena Gorge.Dec 15, 2021
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Rocks on the tip of Sazanami Park.Dec 15, 2021
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Approaching the tip of Sazanami Park.Dec 15, 2021
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The park has two levels. Lower level is a path along the riverside, and this upper level is a park-like lawn.Dec 15, 2021
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Left side of Sazanami Park facing the boat pier.Dec 15, 2021
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Entering Sazanami Park lined with red maple leaves in mid-November.Dec 15, 2021
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Sazanami Park has a small peninsula with a walking path lined with maple trees (and cherry trees).Dec 15, 2021
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Entering Sazanami Park lined with red maple trees in autumn. "Sazanami" means "water ripples."Dec 15, 2021
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Gift shops at Enakyo.Dec 15, 2021
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Sights and wildlife in Enakyo Gorge.Dec 15, 2021
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Sights in Enakyo Gorge.Dec 15, 2021
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Inside Enakyo Visitors Center.Dec 15, 2021
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Enakyo Visitors Center has tourist information counter and air-conditioned rest area with tables and chairs.Dec 15, 2021
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On the right is Sazanami Park lined with autumn maple leaves in November and cherry blossoms in spring. Everything is within a short walk. These photos were taken in November.Dec 15, 2021
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On the left is a pier for sightseeing boats taking tourists to see the unusual rock formations on the gorge. Cruise is 30 min. and fare is ¥1,500. Runs often during autumn. https://www.tohsyoh.jp/shipDec 15, 2021
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Most tourists visiting Enakyo will first arrive here, a short walk from the bus stop and parking lot. The "Y" is missing here. Maybe it was designed to have a human posing as the "Y" in a selfie.Dec 15, 2021
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Map of Enakyo. There's a sightseeing boat pier on the left, a few hotels, and a small spit of land that is Sazanami Park, one main attraction.Dec 15, 2021
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Cross the road and there's the starting point to explore Enakyo. Building on the left is the Visitors' Center.Dec 15, 2021
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From the bus stop, there's a short path down to the riverside.Dec 15, 2021
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On this map of Enakyo Gorge, No. 3 and 4 are Sazanami Park, No. 5 is the boat cruise pier, and No. 2 is Oi Dam which created this river reservoir.Dec 15, 2021
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If you take a bus, get off here at Enakyo Koen-mae. Also check the return bus schedule. Buses run very infrequently.Dec 15, 2021
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Enakyo bus stop.Dec 15, 2021
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Enakyo marker sign.Dec 15, 2021
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Finally, the Enakyo sign.Dec 15, 2021
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Although I was rewarded with these red maples, one-hour is kind of a long walk. Slight uphill too.Dec 15, 2021
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Pampas grass too.Dec 15, 2021
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There were a few maple (momiji) trees along the way.Dec 15, 2021
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Agi River.Dec 15, 2021
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Walking to Enakyo. The tourist information lady gave me a map to walk to Enakyo. Easy to follow.Dec 15, 2021
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There are buses running from JR Ena Station to Enakyo Gorge, but they run very infrequently. Since the next bus was a one-hour wait (and 15-min. ride), I decided to walk it and not miss the sunny day. I was told it would take 1 hour. Or ¥2,000 by taxi.Dec 15, 2021
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Manhole in Ena, Gifu.Dec 15, 2021
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JR Ena Station has a tourist information center right inside and outside.Dec 15, 2021
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Nearest train station is JR Ena Station on the JR Chuo Line. It's about 70 min. from Nagoya Station in Aichi Prefecture.Dec 15, 2021
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JR Ena Station platform and JR Chuo Line.Dec 15, 2021
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Enakyo or Ena Gorge is in the city of Ena (pop. 47,000 as of Nov. 2021) next to Nakatsugawa in eastern Gifu Prefecture.Dec 15, 2021
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Enakyo is a scenic, gorge-like area along the Kiso River. Noted for cherry blossoms in spring, autumn colors in November, and unusual rock formations.Dec 15, 2021
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