 Most viewed - Kora 甲良町 |
Statue of Lord Todo Takatora (in Kora, Shiga Prefecture) who became the 11th lord of Tsu Castle (Mie Pref.) in 1608. Behind it is the Takatora Waterfall.720 views
|
|
In 1604 at age 30, the Tokugawa government called him to Edo to supervise the building of Zojoji temple (where many Tokugawa shoguns are buried). He also supervised the building of the famous Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. This same statue is at Toshogu Shrine.459 views
|
|
Oda Nobunaga burned Saimyoji right after scorching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, the main hall and the pagoda survived. 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure426 views
|
|
Near Kora Town Hall is this statue of Kora Bungo-no-Kami Munehiro (1574-1646). Born here, he started a famous lineage of shrine/temple carpenters. 甲良豊後守宗廣 MAP422 viewsHe supervised the construction of many famous buildings.
|
|
Zaiji Hachiman Shrine also has wisteria which bloom in early May. Planted by Todo Kagemori, the founder of the Todo clan in the 14th century.417 views
|
|
3-story pagoda and fall colors. Photography is not allowed inside, but I highly recommend going inside. Admission 1,000 yen.340 views
|
|
Ninja show306 views
|
|
Torii gate to Zaiji Hachiman Shrine in Kora, Shiga.290 views
|
|
Cute warrior289 views
|
|
Japan's first National Treasure undergoing renovation of the roof. Saimyoji temple's Hondo hall (National Treasure) in Kora, Shiga. 本堂276 viewsIn 1571, Oda Nobunaga ordered Saimyoji to be burned down right after scorching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, this Kamakura-Period main hall and the pagoda survived.
|
|
Zaiji Hachiman Shrine, the family shrine of the Todo clan. This place in Zaiji (Kora, Shiga) was Lord Todo Takatora's birthplace. Takatora later became lord of Tsu Castle in Mie Prefecture. MAP276 views
|
|
At the top of the stairs265 views
|
|
Incredibly beautiful260 views
|
|
Saimyoji temple Hondo Hall (National Treasure) in Kora, Shiga. In 1571, Oda Nobunaga ordered Saimyoji to be burned down right after torching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, this Kamakura-Period main hall and the pagoda survived. 本堂258 views
|
|
Kora town manhole with a wisteria design taken from Zaiji Hachiman Shrine, Shiga Pref.245 views
|
|
243 views
|
|
The following photos were taken years earlier. Something things look the same, others have changed. Map of temple grounds.236 viewsEstablished in 834 and located in Kora-cho town, Saimyoji is a Tendai Buddhist temple and the northern-most one in the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio.
The main temple hall, designated as Japan's first National Treasure, houses statues of gods with a carving of the 12 Oriental Zodiac signs on the head. Accessible by bus from Amago Station on the Omi Railway Line.
|
|
224 views
|
|
Takatora Summit in Kora, Shiga223 views
|
|
The Takatora Summit was held in Kora-cho's Zaiji area on May 9, 2010. It was Kora's second time to host the summit. The first time was in 2000. Zaiji Hachiman Shrine was one of the festival venues.208 views
|
|
My YouTube video of the Takatora Summit in Kora.199 views
|
|
Front gate. This is where you pay the admission fee of 500 yen. During fall, the autumn leaves are brilliant, and you can enter the three-story pagoda (National Treasure) to see the wall paintings. MAP168 views
|
|
Small shrine near the entrance to Shimonogo.163 views
|
|
Inside Saimyoji temple's Hondo hall.159 views
|
|
Saimyoji's 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure.159 views
|
|
Convenient shuttle bus. Visit Kongorinji temple next.157 viewsDuring the peak fall season from mid-Nov., you can buy an Omi Railway train/bus pass for only 1,800 yen to visit all three Koto Sanzan temples plus Eigenji Temple. Ride on the Omi Railway Line to the closest train station (Hikone or Yokaichi) and hop on a shuttle bus like this one to visit the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio, plus Eigenji. There's a shuttle bus every hour or so that shuttle between the four temples. The pass is good for 1 day.
|
|
Dig this van with a ninja on top.156 views
|
|
The path was a stunning showcase for autumn foilage.155 views
|
|
3-story pagoda, a National Treasure155 viewsIn 1571, Oda Nobunaga ordered Saimyoji to be burned down right after scorching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, this Kamakura-Period main hall and the pagoda survived. The pagoda is 23.7 meters high.
|
|
Tourists come by the busloads155 views
|
|
Saimyoji was my favorite Koto Sanzan temple150 views
|
|
The festivities and summit ended at 6:30 pm.144 views
|
|
Hondo grounds139 views
|
|
Soon after you enter the temple, you see this "continuously blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) planted next to a tree showing fall colors. This special cherry tree blooms in Nov. during the fall colors. 不断桜137 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms which bloom in Nov. This is full bloom. Not as glorious as the cherries in spring, but unusual to see them in Nov. 不断桜133 views
|
|
Horaitei garden128 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms which bloom in Nov. Designated as a Natural Monument and Cultural Property of Shiga. 不断桜126 views
|
|
Shinmei no Taki waterfalls are these small waterfalls along the road. Kora, Shiga Prefecture.118 views
|
|
Ohmi Railways Amago Station, Kora town's only train station. It is parallel to the shinkansen bullet train tracks on the left.117 views
|
|
View from gate116 views
|
|
Crossing the Meishin expressway. There's a bridge over a busy and noisy expressway which you cross to get to the other side of the temple grounds.115 views
|
|
Temple grounds114 views
|
|
Miniature Kannon. Pay money to have your name under one of them.113 views
|
|
Zaiji is about a 20-min. walk from Amago Station. Quaint general store in Zaiji. Looks like Japan from the 1950s or '60s.113 views
|
|
Nitenmon Gate to main temple (Hondo)112 views
|
|
Closeup of pagoda112 views
|
|
111 views
|
|
Autumn leaves and stone wall111 views
|
|
111 views
|
|
Hondo grounds110 views
|
|
Shrine maiden mascot from Taga, Shiga.110 views
|
|
109 views
|
|
Temple bell109 views
|
|
108 views
|
|
108 views
|
|
Miniature Kannon108 views
|
|
107 views
|
|
107 views
|
|
Tora-nyan, Kora's official mascot.107 views
|
|
106 views
|
|
Stairs to autumn heaven. Up to here, the path was just filled with colors. And more still awaited.105 views
|
|
11-faced Kannon statue105 views
|
|
I thought the fall colors were most abundant at Saimyoji. We could also enter the 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure. (You cannot enter the pagoda at the other temples.)105 views
|
|
104 views
|
|
View from gate104 views
|
|
Veil of autumn leaves. Only several people can fit inside the first floor of the pagoda at one time, so you may have to wait in line.104 views
|
|
103 views
|
|
Temple bell, donate 50 yen to ring it103 views
|
|
3-story pagoda, a National Treasure102 views
|
|
3-story pagoda, a National Treasure101 views
|
|
101 views
|
|
During the peak autumn season in Nov., the public is allowed to enter the pagoda to view the precious paintings on the wooden walls and pillars.100 views
|
|
Shiromochi-kun from Tsu. シロモチくん88 views
|
|
88 views
|
|
Capping the day's events was the Takatora Taiko troupe from Tsu. 高虎太鼓86 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
Zaiji was the former Todo village (藤堂村). Lord Todo Takatora was a famous daimyo who was expert at building castles. He had a hand in building castles in Tsu, Kameyama, Imabari, Edo, and more.85 views
|
|
Samurai procession on stage.83 views
|
|
83 views
|
|
Toramaru from Tsu, Mie.82 views
|
|
79 views
|
|
Mayors vow to meet at the next Takatora Summit.77 views
|
|
They wear home-made armor.76 views
|
|
Afterward, they played traditional games.75 views
|
|
Banner reads "Birthtplace of Lord Todo Takatora."74 views
|
|
Iga's booth.73 views
|
|
Toramaru from Tsu, Mie. 藤堂とらまる73 views
|
|
Hiko-nyan73 views
|
|
At 3 pm, the keynote speaker gave a talk about Takatora.73 views
|
|
A ninja show performed by an Iga-ryu ninja trouope called Kurondo from Iga, Mie. 黒党73 views
|
|
73 views
|
|
72 views
|
|
71 views
|
|
Statue of Takatora in a pond at Takatora Park.70 views
|
|
70 views
|
|
This booth was from Iga, Mie Prefecture.68 views
|
|
68 views
|
|
Each mascot was introduced in detail by its handler.68 views
|
|
Non-chan is a horse from Imabari. Imabari Castle was built by Takatora. のんちゃん68 views
|
|
Ninta and Shinobu ninja mascots from Iga. Iga-Ueno Castle was renovated by Takatora who constructed high castle walls. にん太・しのぶ68 views
|
|
68 views
|
|
67 views
|
|
The road from Hachiman Shrine to Takatora Park. Another giant taiko drum.67 views
|
|
Mayor of Tsu, Mie Prefecture. Tsu Castle was built by Takatora.67 views
|
|
67 views
|
|
67 views
|
|
The shrine's Haiden Hall was used as an entertainment stage during the Takatora Summit in Kora.66 views
|
|
Walking around Zaiji is quite pleasant. Rural area with traditional-style homes. The murmuring of streams is everywhere.66 views
|
|
A giant taiko drum was also on display at the shrine.65 views
|
|
More booths.65 views
|
|
Zaiji Hachiman Shrine also offered a rest place where tea and sweets were served.64 views
|
|
Mayor of Iga, Mie.64 views
|
|
64 views
|
|
Kora Shrine torii. MAP63 views
|
|
Torii to Zaiji Hachiman Shrine, the birthplace of Todo Takatora (1556-1630). Since 1998, the Takatora Summit has been held once every two years in one of four places (Kora, Tsu and Iga in Mie, and Imabari, Ehime) having a close connection with Takatora.63 views
|
|
At 2 pm, the "Summit" was held on stage.63 views
|
|
Sculptures made of styrofoam.62 views
|
|
The MC was Kayme, radio personality from from FM Shiga (e-radio). She introduced the names of all the mascots on stage. ケイミー62 views
|
|
Mayor's representative from Imabari, Ehime.62 views
|
|
62 views
|
|
Mayors and other dignitaries look forward to the next Takatora Summit at Iga-Ueno Castle. Each city take turns hosting the summit held every two years. The last time Kora hosted it was in 2000.62 views
|
|
They drummed on the giant taiko.62 views
|
|
The beautiful wisteria was in full bloom. The name "Todo" includes the kanji character for "fuji" or wisteria. 藤61 views
|
|
Hikone's Hiko-nyan also made it to the summit. Hikone is Kora's the neighboring city.61 views
|
|
Mochi-tsuki.61 views
|
|
The keynote speaker was Abe Ryutaro, a novelist who wrote a novel about Takatora. Some people hope that his novel will be turned into a TV drama series. 安部龍太郎61 views
|
|
Ohmi Railways Amago Station platform. The station building (community house) can be seen ahead on the left.60 views
|
|
Ohmi Railways Amago Station front view. 尼子駅60 views
|
|
The road near Takatora Park was lined with souvenir booths and food stalls.60 views
|
|
About 10 mascot characters were introduced on stage.60 views
|
|
Jogakuji temple of the Jodo Shinshu Sect held a terakoya session. A short walk from Takatora Park. 浄覚寺60 views
|
|
The Amago Station building is called the Amago Community House. Built in Nov. 2003, it's still quite new, but looks under used.59 views
|
|
|
|
Kora Shrine (Kora Jinja) 甲良神社59 views
|
|
Todo Takatora sake.59 views
|
|
59 views
|
|
From Kameyama, Kyoto. Kameyama Castle was built by Akechi Mitsuhide and Takatora contributed to later construction. Only castle walls and moats remain. Now occupied by a religious group.59 views
|
|
Sightseeing map of Kora-cho.59 views
|
|
Shimonogo Sports Park58 views
|
|
58 views
|
|
This was good, from Kora.58 views
|
|
Sightseeing pamphlets from all the Takatora-related cities who came.58 views
|
|
Zaiji has numerous little streams along the roads and houses. You often see flowering plants decorating the streams. It is one of the town's symbols.58 views
|
|
57 views
|
|
Takatora Park was decorated with these banners.57 views
|
|
By coincidence, I've been to all these castles related to Takatora.57 views
|
|
57 views
|
|
Front gate. This is where you pay the admission fee.57 views
|
|
Entering Ohmi Railways Amago Station which is also a community house.56 views
|
|
56 views
|
|
Kora Jinja's Gonden Hall56 views
|
|
On the right of the Honden Hall is this Kora-ishi rock. Although the triangular rock looks small above ground, it is believed to be a huge rock underground. Size unknown. They say that touching the rock brings misfortunes. So it is fenced off. 甲良石56 views
|
|
Little shrine in Shimonogo Sports Park56 views
|
|
Takatora Park was the main venue for the Takatora Summit. The first program started at 11 am and they introduced official mascots from Takatora-related cities.56 views
|
|
56 views
|
|
Terakoya session at Jogakuji temple. There was a storyteller, kami-shibai, and traditional games for kids.56 views
|
|
Established in 834 and located in Kora-cho town, Saimyoji is a Tendai Buddhist temple and the northern-most one in the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio. 56 viewsThe main temple hall, designated as Japan's first National Treasure, houses statues of gods with a carving of the 12 Oriental Zodiac signs on the head. Accessible by bus from Amago Station on the Omi Railway Line.
|
|
In mid-November, a shuttle bus runs to Saimyoji and two other temples of the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio of Tendai temples. All three are famous for fall foliage.56 viewsThe shuttle bus starts from Hikone Station, west exit.
|
|
Day's schedule.55 views
|
|
55 views
|
|
Kora Shrine55 views
|
|
54 views
|
|
Kora Shrine's Gonden Hall is on the left of the Honden main hall. This is an Important Cultural Property. It used to be the Honden before the shrine was renovated in 1883. 権殿54 views
|
|
54 views
|
|
Kora Shrine53 views
|
|
53 views
|
|
53 views
|
|
Before schools were established in Japan, the temples served as educational institutions for the children. 浄覚寺 寺子屋の再現53 views
|
|
Zaiji Hachiman Shrine's Honden main hall.53 views
|
|
About Zaiji Hachiman Shrine in Japanese and English.53 views
|
|
53 views
|
|
Ohmi Railways Amago Station side view52 views
|
|
Kora Shrine52 views
|
|
Kora Shrine Honden Hall52 views
|
|
Kora Shrine Honden Hall52 views
|
|
"Say hello before the other says hello." Conveying the importance of greeting people.52 views
|
|
52 views
|
|
52 views
|
|
Azalea and stream52 views
|
|
Inside Ohmi Railways Amago Station51 views
|
|
Kora Shrine51 views
|
|
51 views
|
|
Togenkyo monument 桃源郷の碑51 views
|
|
51 views
|
|
Large stone Lord Takatora once transported to rebuild Osaka Castle. It was abandoned in Kiso River. Called the "Consolation Stone." 残念石51 views
|
|
Kora Shrine Honden is another Kora Shrine. Also called Hoyoji temple. The Honden main hall was repaired by Kora Bungo-no-Kami Munehiro.51 views
|
|
50 views
|
|
A short walk from Zaiji is the entrance to Shimonogo, another small cluster of homes in Kora town.50 views
|
|
Waterwheel too.50 views
|
|
More roadside streams with flowers.50 views
|
|
50 views
|
|
A short walk from Zaiji Hachiman Shrine is Takatora Park, dedicated to Zaiji's most famous son, Lord Todo Takatora who became lord of Tsu Castle in Mie. MAP50 views
|
|
Stone lanterns with the Todo family crest.50 views
|
|
"Keep our rivers clean"49 views
|
|
49 views
|
|
Kora Shrine's Gonden Hall is believed to date from the early Edo Period.48 views
|
|
48 views
|
|
48 views
|
|
View of rice fields on the way back to Amago Station.48 views
|
|
Katsuragi Waterfall 桂城の滝48 views
|
|
48 views
|
|
Kora Shrine Honden Hall47 views
|
|
47 views
|
|
About Kora Bungo-no-Kami Munehiro.47 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
Shimonogo 桂城神社46 views
|
|
Shinkansen in the distance.46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
46 views
|
|
Zaiji Hachiman Shrine's Honden main hall.46 views
|
|
Zaiji Hachiman Shrine's Haiden Hall.46 views
|
|
Kora Town Hall. MAP46 views
|
|
45 views
|
|
45 views
|
|
Local sightseeing map in stone.45 views
|
|
Local museum dedicated to Kora Bungo-no-Kami Munehiro. Unfortunately, the museum was closed when I was there. It's open only once or twice a week or so.45 views
|
|
|
Even before the spring flowers bloom, they find ways to color the streams.44 views
|
|
44 views
|
|
Crossing the Meishin expressway. There's a bridge over a busy and noisy expressway which you cross to get to the other side of the temple grounds.44 views
|
|
44 views
|
|
43 views
|
|
|
43 views
|
|
43 views
|
|
43 views
|
|
43 views
|
|
43 views
|
|
43 views
|
|
43 views
|
|
Red maple leaves.43 views
|
|
Nenshoji temple is noted for its standing wooden Buddha statue designated as a Cultural Property of Kora town.42 views
|
|
Nenshoji temple 念称寺42 views
|
|
42 views
|
|
42 views
|
|
42 views
|
|
42 views
|
|
Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)42 views
|
|
Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)42 views
|
|
Water basin42 views
|
|
42 views
|
|
42 views
|
|
41 views
|
|
41 views
|
|
41 views
|
|
41 views
|
|
Nitenmon Gate has small waraji straw sandals. Coins stuck in the sandals.41 views
|
|
Niten god41 views
|
|
Niten god41 views
|
|
|
|
