Toryu Bridge

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In: Autumn in Saitama, Seasonal, SHRINES & TEMPLES, Summer in Saitama, Things to see in Saitama
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Toryu bridge (also called Toryumon) is over the Ara River (Arakawa) in the Mitsumine area of the former Otaki Village in Chichibu, Saitama. Toryu Bridge Toryu Bridge is a footbridge at the start of the “omotesando”, the sacred trail, to the famous Mitsumine Shrine. The hike from the bridge toRead More →

CHerry blossoms at temple gate Kotokuji Kawajima

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Kotoku Temple (Kotoku-ji Temple) is a temple belonging to the Shingon sect Toyozan school. According to official records the temple den, the main hall and the monastery were destroyed by fire in both Shoho and Kyoho. However, incredibly and luckily for us except for the Omido and Niomon of theRead More →

Weeping cherry blossom Nakain Kawagoe

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In: Coedo Kawagoe, Festival, SHRINES & TEMPLES, Things to do in Saitama, Things to see in Saitama
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Things to see in Kawagoe – stunning weeping cherry blossom tree and sakura at Nakain Temple in Kawagoe. Nakain is also renowned for its autumn leaves. Read More →

Yoshimi Kannon Anrakuji (2)

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In: SHRINES & TEMPLES, Things to do in Saitama, Things to see in Saitama
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Anrakuji Yoshimi Kannon is one of a few temples where I personally have felt a strong presence upon entering the grounds. Whether you believe in power spots or not, Yoshimi Kannon is set in such a magnificent setting that it will awe you with its beauty, if not its mysticRead More →

Azalea Ogose at Godaison Azalea Park Godaison Tsutsuji park ogose saitama things to do in saitama azalea saitama

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Azalea Ogose – beautiful azalea sightseeing spot in Ogose town, Saitama. It is a little sad when the prunus (plum, cherry, peach blossoms) finish in Japan. But only a wee bit, because right behind them comes a multitude of equally stunning flora. Straight after the yaezakura, a late blooming cherryRead More →

Unusual komainu

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In: SHRINES & TEMPLES
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Komainu are usually referred to as lion-dogs in English. They are the guardian stone statues you see near the entrance to a shrine. One on either side of the walkway. One if male, one is female. Commonly one, believed to be the male one, has its mouth open and theRead More →

hatsumode saitama kitain hatsumode Japanese new year tradition

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In: Christmas and New Years, Festival, Seasonal, SHRINES & TEMPLES
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The Japanese New Year tradition of Hatsumode – Hatsumode is the first visit of the year to a shrine or a temple, an important and much practised tradition of new year celebrations in Japan. There are many shrines and temples all around Saitama where you can practise Hatsumode. Technically youRead More →

Shoden Temple

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In: SHRINES & TEMPLES, Spring, Things to do in Saitama, Things to see in Saitama
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Komazan Shoden’in Shorakuji commonly called Shoden Temple (Shoudenin | Shoden-in | Shodenji) stands proud at the top of the Koma peak in Hidaka. It is like a beacon for all enthralled by religious architecture. It is easy to spot it from a distance with its impressive temple structure, but moreRead More →

Shoboji's Legendary Gingko Tree

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In: Autumn in Saitama, Seasonal, SHRINES & TEMPLES, Things to do in Saitama, Things to see in Saitama
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Shoboji’s Legendary Gingko Tree at Shoboji Temple, Iwadono, Higashimatsuyama ( previously Hatoyama) Previously I wrote about a summer drive we took in the Hatoyama and Higashimatsuyama area where I saw the most impressive gingko tree I’ve ever seen.  Last Autumn we revisited the area to witness the famed Autumn colours inRead More →

Something different in Saitama

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In: Learn in Saitama, Play in Saitama, SHRINES & TEMPLES, Things to do in Saitama, This week in Saitama
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Santome Konjaku Village ~ Something different in Saitama. We had so many adventures in 2017 and enjoyed each in different ways. However, in terms of new locations for families in the Saitama area, both my husband and I have Santome Konjaku Mura (hereafter Santome) high on our list of favouritesRead More →