More glimpses of unfamiliar Japan

Hofuku-Ji is a rather nice and peaceful temple to the north of Soja in Okayama, a short diversion off of the Kibi Bike Path. Originally it w...

Kitsune, foxes, are the messengers of the kami Inari, so statues of them can be found at all Inari shrines and temples. Like Komainu, there ...

The Niomon at Saijo Inari is most unusual. It is built of stone in the style of an Indian Palace. The nio are quite remarkable, though takin...

Karube Shrine is located a few minutes from Kiyone JR Station on the Hakube line. The shrine is a few kilometers south of the Kibi Bike Path...

Kibitsuhiko Shrine is at one end of the Kibi Bike path near to Bizen Ichinomiya Station where bikes can be rented or dropped off if coming f...

The distinctive roof of Kibitsu Shrine is visible from quite a distance as one approaches on the Kibi Bike Path. From a sub-shrine there is ...

Koikui is a small shrine just off the Kibi Bike Path. It has a fine pair of Bizen-style ceramic komainu. It also had a buddhist bell. Koikui...

The pagoda at Bitchu Kokubunji is a landmark on the Kibi Bike Trail. Its a classic example of a late Edo Period pagoda, being constructed in...

The Tenmangu Shrine in the village of Tsudera is located a little off the Kibi Bike Path, and is a fairly standard, small, local shrine, but...