My friend’s friend and wife invited my friend and me to visit Fujinomiya, his home town, with them.
First we visited Sengen Taisha Shrine, a place I’ve visited before. This time I heard personal stories.
We ate lunch at a local Japanese place. I had Fujinomiya yakisoba.
The other three ordered Okonomiyaki.
After lunch, we went to Taisekiji Temple. Taisekiji was founded in 1290 by Nikko Shonin (disciple of Nichiren Daishonin), and is the head temple of the Nichiren Shoshu sect. It is a major pilgrimage destination, and houses significant treasures, including a five-story pagoda. It is a famous sightseeing spot with over 5000 cherry trees.
The Japanese style garden was gorgeous, even though it was a cool drizzly day.
I am always thankful for the friendly generosity of people in Japan. I totally enjoyed the day!
I hand stitched this zipper pouch last night with a piece of thick felt, blue lining fabric, beads, a 20 cm zipper, and a pre-made tassel.
Beginning in 2021, Japan Post started replacing some of the normal red mailboxes with gold colored ones to honor local athletes who have taken gold medals at the Olympic or Paralympic games.
The mailbox above, near JR Gotanda Station in Tokyo, recognizes Naohisa Makato, winner of the gold medal in the men’s 60 kilogram judo event in 2021.
The mailbox below, at Shimizu Station in Shizuoka, honors gold medalist Suguru Iwazaki, 2020 baseball team member.
I really like this project!
The Tale of Genji progress
I went to the Pop Circus in Fuji City with two friends last week. The Pop Circus is a Japanese touring circus troupe which was founded in Osaka in 1996. It specializes in high-energy, family friendly acrobatics, and features performers from over ten countries. I attended once before at a different location and posted about it here.
This photo opportunity was available before the performance started. (My friends)
Photos were not allowed during the performances, but at the end/final bows, pictures taking was okay. There were many empty seats at the morning performance we attended.
After the show, we went out to lunch, and I had shrimp and pasta in a creamy tomato sauce.
I don’t often get to see ballet here, so I am excited when I get the chance to attend a performance.
This performance was absolutely wonderful. The dancers were Japanese and Ukrainian (Awaji World Ballet). There were also 17 children dancers who must have been thrilled to take part. There were exerts from Swan Lake and a full act from Don Quixote. My favorite part was an original piece of the Japanese Crane.
Here is the link to the official page of the featured ballerina, Emi Hariyama. I hope I can see these dancers again.
This castle ruins site is about a 40 minute walk from Hara Station.
This is the castle history from the J-Castle website:
Kokokuji Castle is well known as the castle from which Hojo Soun rose to power. Soun became the lord of Kokouji Castle in 1487 for helping to quell the succession dispute among the Imagawa after the death of Imagawa Yoshitada. Yoshitada was married to Soun's sister. In 1491, Soun invaded Izu and Imagawa Yoshimoto was put in charge of Kokokuji Castle. After the hostilities settled down, Imagawa renovated the castle. As the Imagawa lost power, Kokokuji Castle became one of the points of struggle between the Takeda and Hojo. The Takeda took control in 1571 and kept the castle until their downfall when it came under the control of Tokugawa Ieyasu. After Ieyasu moved to Kanto, various lords served from Kokokuji Castle until it was abandoned in 1607.
Map of Castle Area
There are several open fields as you walk up from the road.
A small shrine is located on the grounds.
From the shrine, the trail goes up, and up, then another goes steeply down.
This is the roof of the shrine below.
This is interesting, and not a long walk from the train station, so worth a visit.
