This is an interesting historical place that I had never even heard of before. Tagonoura Port is the closest port to Mt. Fuji. There is a park, a temple, and shrines, but we were the only visitors at the time.
We climbed up the lookout tower and looked all around.
After climbing down, we walked around. This temple looked abandoned.
There were two shrines.
This is the sad google translation on the Aji Shrine sign:
This smaller shrine was next to the first one.
Zipper Pouch Progress
Cross Stitch Fobs or Ornaments - I’ve used up all of the fabric space. I will set these aside for now, to be cut apart and made into things later.
After visiting Nichiren Shoshu Shimonobo, and seeing/smelling the wisteria, we had lunch at the Lotus Land Restaurant, a whole foods vegetarian place and a favorite of ours.
Next, we visited Otedome Waterfalls and Shiraito Waterfalls. We visited this place together in August 2016, almost 10 years ago!
Shiraito Falls are part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and have been protected as a Japanese National Monument since 1936. In 2013 the waterfall was added to the World Heritage list as part of the Fujisan Cultural Site.
Otodome Falls are smaller and a five minute walk from Shiraito Falls.
A short walk down many steps and we could see Shiraito Waterfalls.
To the right of the main part of the falls, the waterfall stretches quite a ways.
The signs say don’t go in the water, but many people can’t help themselves.
Looking back away from the waterfalls.
I enjoy site seeing with my knowledgable friends!
Buddhist priest, Terukazu Hirokaga, was arrested after he was caught using another person’s health insurance card at an Osaka hospital to get treatment and prescription medication. The 55 year old Hirokaga said he found the card belonging to a man in his 60’s on the street in Tokyo. Police were able to track his illegal use of the card 115 times in numerous cities, including Okayama and Kyoto. He said he used the card in different cities to avoid detection.
I find this very sad. First of all, why doesn’t the priest have his own card? Next, why is he illegally using someone else’s card? Is he really ill, needing medical attention, or was he doing it to get the medication? What is he doing with all the medication he was prescribed at 115 visits? So many unanswered questions.
This type of card, with no picture, is what the priest was using. The newer “My Number” cards have the owner’s photo on it.
I visited Nichiren Shoshu Shimonobo with three friends. This Fujinomiya temple is known for its 400 meter wisteria trellis. The wisteria scent is heavenly! The website for this place can be found here.
Bamboo also grows here.
This vine is as thick as a tree trunk.
The temple building is surrounded by azalea bushes.
I hated to leave this temple, but we had other places to go and things to do!
