More glimpses of unfamiliar Japan

  Shigaku Kojin Shrine in Sajiro, a small rural settlement in the mountains of Okuizumo is curious indeed, having a modern 8-storey concrete...

Io-ji Io-ji temple is not very large and is located not too far from the ruins of Yatsushiro Castle in Yatsushiro . The temple was patronize...

Usually when I am walking a pilgrimage I have studied the maps and have a pretty good idea of what shrines I will be passing, but Hitsu ...

Kurami Shrine is yet another small shrine with an ancient pedigree. It is listed in both the Izumo Fudoki and the Engi Shiki. Izumo has ...

Take Shrine, another small village shrine on the shore of Nakaumi, gives the appearance of being abandoned. The grounds have not been ke...

Junisho Jinja Junisho Shrine is another small village shrine on the banks of the Nakaumi just about 1k north of Oi Shrine. Junisho means &...

Oi Shrine is a small village shrine on the shore of the Nakaumi. It is listed in the Izumo Fudoki and therefore must be at least 1300 ye...

Kora Shrine Kora Shrine, located on the small hillside overlooking the Ohashi River just before it empties into the Nakaumi, appears to be...

Rokusho Shrine, like all the other shrines in this part of Izumo, have altars to the land kami Kojin, represented as a serpent made of r...

Adakaya Jinja Adakaya Shrine is most well known as being the starting point and destination of the Horanenya, the massive boat festival th...