Mizukake Tradition—Pouring Prayers over Stone Guardians
Daisho-in 大聖院⭐⭐, the head temple of Miyajima 宮島, is a significant spiritual site nestled within one of Japan's Three Most Scenic Spots. Just a five-minute walk from the iconic World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine, you'll reach the Niomon Gate, marking the entrance to the temple grounds. As you ascend the long slope towards Onarimon Gate御成門, be sure to stroke the Daihannyakyo Sutra 大般若経切 tubes lining the steps; this simple act is believed to accumulate merit and usher in happiness.
Inside the temple, discover the Chokgando Hall, home to the principal image of Namikiri Fudo Myo-o. This wish-granting deity, a gift from Toyotomi Hideyoshi, is said to foster strong connections in your personal and professional life, bringing good fortune and career advancement. Elsewhere on the serene grounds, you'll find the mesmerizing 500 Rakan Statues . Each statue, depicting a disciple of Buddha, boasts a unique expression and posture, giving them an almost lifelike quality. Together, they form a powerful display of spiritual presence and artistic detail.
Your Guide to the Sacred Grounds of Daisho-in (in Japanese)
Photo Gallery
We visited on a sunny March 22, 2025, and enjoyed a serene stroll along the stairs and up the slopes. Every corner of the landscape offered amazing views, dotted with Buddha statues, making each moment truly enjoyable.
Rising majestically toward the heavens, Maniden Hall (摩尼殿) commands the skyline with its striking presence
The Eleven-Headed Kannon Stands Graceful with Maniden Hall Rising Behind
Prayer Wheels
Lining the stone steps to Maniden Hall, rows of gleaming metal Sutra Wheels—each etched with sacred Buddhist texts—invite passersby to give them a gentle spin. With every turn, it's said, the spiritual merit of reciting an entire sutra is quietly awakened.
Spinning Sutra Wheels: A Path to Maniden Hall
Henjo Cave
Step into the Henjokutsu Cave 遍照窟within Daishi-do Hall 大師堂 and embark on a unique spiritual journey. This "sand-stepping dojo" offers a condensed version of the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku. Pilgrims believe that by walking on the sand, which is sourced and buried from each of the actual sacred sites, you receive the same profound blessings as those who complete the full Shikoku pilgrimage.
A Quiet Day in a Berlin Park, 1933 In the early 1930s, Takehisa Yumeji's studio became a hub for artists, inspiring ventures like the Mt. Haruna Art Research Institute. In 1931, Yumeji began a journey to the United States and Europe, supported by exhibitions of his work. While in the U.S. for 16 months, he continued to paint, creating pieces like Nude on the West Coast. Afterward, Yumeji taught in Berlin until the school was closed by the Nazis. He returned to Japan in 1933, his overseas experiences shaping his final works. His last exhibition was held in Taipei that year. Yumeji passed away from tuberculosis in 1934, leaving behind a legacy of beauty and cultural exchange. Read more: Prints in Collection—Takehisa Yumeji (1884-1934) Kuronosuke 黒の助: a Legacy Little Black Cat (YouTube link ) Photo Gallery The Yumeji Art Museum in Okayama exhibits many black cat paintings because the artist, Yumeji Takehisa , frequently featured them in his work, particularly in his bij...
This is a passageway leading to Nankai-Namba Station. Be aware that underground passages in Japan can be quite complex for visitors. When you arrive at Kansai International Airport (symbol: KIX) and try to reach your destinations via trains, sometimes you need to make connections at Namba Station (see Fig. 2). Namba Station is one of the main connection points (the other two are Umeda and Tennoji Stations). But, Namba Station actually means 4 different stations on Google map (see Fig. 3&4) : Namba Station (Subway): This station provides access to the Osaka Metro lines: Midosuji (see Fig. 4), Sennichimae , and Yotsubashi . These lines can take you to popular destinations like Osaka Station, Koreatown, Honmachi, and Nippombashi. JR-Namba Station: This smaller station has only four tracks and two platforms. It's located within the Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT) building, and the entrance can be easy to miss. Thankfully, it's connected to the ...
Koyasan (高野山), a popular pilgrimage destination for centuries, has been connected to the outside world by a network of pilgrimage trails. While most visitors enter the mountain by cable car nowadays, many of the pilgrimage trails still remain in use. Koyasan Travel—Temple Lodging (Shukubo; YouTube link ) Part of the pilgrimage trails, the Fudozaka Trail (不動坂; click the map to enlarge), leads to Koyasan from Gokurakubashi Station, the lower station of the Koyasan Cablecar. The steep, paved trail is 2.5 kilometers long and takes about an hour to ascend and less time to descend. The trail ends at the Nyonindo temple (女人堂). [1] On 11/27/2016, I have decided to descend from Fudozaka Trail instead of riding the cable car. I was the only person on the trail at beginning. However, in the middle of the trail, another young blonde girl passed me by swiftly with a big smile on her face. I was really surprised to see another soul on that rainy day. Althoug...
