Explore the streets of Hakata Taihaku-street, Hakata Port, Nakasu town

This time, I explore Kyushu Hakata.

Depart from JR Hakata station from the east side of Hakata-Kuchi station.

Taihaku street is the main street connecting Hakata Station and Hakata Port in nearly a straight line.
I walk this way to the port northwest.
In about 5 minutes, I arrive in Tochoji temple.


This temple is a temple of Shingon sect which Kobo-Taishi built in 806,
It is a temple which Mr. Kuroda warrior extended to the era of Fukuoka lord.
In this temple there are the Great Buddha statue, Main Hall, Rokkakudo, Taishido, Five-storied pagoda.
The five-storied pagoda is a new one that was built in 2011.
Main hall is made of concrete.


I will head to the Great Buddha.

The Great Buddha is made of wood and is a solid seat statue without painting carving cypress trees.
This Great Buddha is called the Great Buddha of Fukuoka and is a Buddha Buddhist sitting of with a height of 10.8 meters and a weight of 30 tons completed in 1992. A height of 10.8 meters corresponds to the number 108 of human annoyance.

It is said to be Japan's largest as a wooden seat.
Because the Big Buddha is in front of you, you can see it well.
Believers are seriously worshiping.

Next I go to Hexagon temple.

Hexagon temple is influenced by China and its appearance is like a Chinese temple.
Usually it is closed, but it will be opened on the 28th of the month when immovable garland is provided.

Next, I head to the five-storied pagoda.
The five-story pagoda is a new one in 2011, the vermillion paint is brilliant.

Finally, I go to Kuroda family tomb of Fukuoka lord.
Tombs of the second generation, the third generation, the eighth generation are lined up on the north side.
There are three large tombs of 5 m x 10 m.

Next, I go to Shofukuji temple.

This temple is a Zen temple erected in 1195.
I go to Temple gate, Gate, Main gate, and the Buddha, but after that it is a closed temple that is not allowed off limits.

This temple is a temple with the same Buddhist temple as Kyoto Zen temple.
There is a gold-colored Buddha statue in the Buddha, but as the monk approached, the monk panicked and closed the door, so I could not see what it is.

Because it is a sort of unhappy temple, I will cancel my visit and return to Taihaku-street for the port.

In this street, palm trees are planted in front of the intersection of Kuramoto.

After a while walking I arrived at Sunpalace, Fukuoka International Center.
I arrive at Hakata Port.


You can see Hakata Port Tower from the park in the harbor.

I will look at the history of Hakata Port at Hakata Bayside Museum of Port Tower.
It is free.


I go to Nakasu from now.
Nakasu is in Nakagawa.
Nakasu starts from Suzaki Bridge.


Although Nakasu is an entertainment district, there are many stores related to sex shops. In Hakata 's entertainment district Nakasu we believe that reducing the number of sex shops and making its propaganda less prominent will improve the image of Hakata.


You can see CanalCity on the east side of Nakasu.

CanalCity is a complex commercial facility opened in 1996.
Because it is already twenty years, the former bustle ceased to exist, the present bustle has moved to a commercial facility inside Hakata Station. CanalCity wants us to renew and regain the bustle of the past year.

Finally I go to the intersection near Hakata station on Taihaku street.

This is the intersection where the road collapsed in December.
Asphalt is darkened only in the collapsed places.
The surface of the road is still rough.

This walking trip can be reached in about 2 hours from Hakata Station.
If you eat, you can go around in 3 hours.

Please walk around the towns of Hakata, where food is tasty and lively.

That's it.

Kanazawa Chayamachi Town Trip

I would like to inform Kanazawa Chayamachi trip.

Kanazawa has famous pleasure quarter, Higashi Chayamachi, and Nishi Chayamachi.


I buy the one day free ticket for bus, ¥500.
I go to East Chayamachi, by right route.
About 15minutes, I arrive at East Chayamachi.

From the bus stop to Asano River to explore the river.
There is a feeling similar to Kamogawa in Kyoto.

Next, I will head to Higashi Chaya Street.
This is an important traditional building group conservation area, known by the name of Higashi Chaya Street.

About 130 m in the north and south, about 180 m in the east and west, about 1.8 ha, about two-thirds of the buildings 140 in the preserved district are traditional buildings, many of the tea house style town houses built in the early Meiji period from the Edo period It remains. Street-style houses with cobblestones and beautiful bell-moutains keep the old-fashioned aspects.

Especially the area around Nibanchi is crowded with tourists.
"Shima" and "Kaikaro" are a large number of tourists entering.


"Shima" is a tea house built in 1820, as it is the house of the Edo period as it is, it is highly valued as a precious cultural heritage.
The second floor is a guest house, and it is a stylish building mainly based on amusement.

Kaikaro is the biggest tea house in Kanazawa.

In the evening, we are still playing tea ceremony at a gorgeous Japanese-style room.

We also have a plan called "Yoyukai", where people can experience Kaga cuisine as well as tea house playing for the general public.

This neighborhood is walking in a kimono figure.

To the east of Higashi Chaya-cho is a temple shop, UtaSu shrine has a ninja doll under the eaves.

It is a quite interesting setting.

Next, I will go to Kanazawa Castle Park.
In this park, I am lighting up at night.
It's cold, but you can enjoy a beautiful light up.
Maeda Toshiie's statue is dignifiedly set.

Next, I go to Nishi Chaya-cho.

Nishi Chaya-cho, about 10 years ago, roads were not maintained and it was not a sightseeing spot, but Kanazawa City cobbled the road, the houses were also renovated, now it is a wonderful as Nishi Chaya-cho I am reborn as a sightseeing spot.

I go to Nishi Chaya museum.
Admission is free.


The Nishi Chaya museum is a reproduction of the building at the time in the tea house "Yoshinoriro" , "Yoshinoriro" is the place that became the stage of the novel "ground" of Shimada Kijiro who became a writer.

On the second floor, there is a space between Maiko and Geisha, introducing the prosperity of the Edo period.
The wall of the eroded color is beautiful.

There are tours where you can see the arts and dance of Kanazawa Geisha.

In Kanazawa, the city is full of vigor, as the Shinkansen connected Kanazawa last year.

Please walk around Kanazawa's Chayamachi.

That's it.

Kyoto Ponto-Cho street and Zuisenji-Temple Trip

I would like to inform Kyoto Pontocho street and Zuisenji-Temple.
I get off at Kawaramachi station of Hankyu Train.
I go up from Shijyo-Kiyamachi gate.
Walk Shijyo street to East, cross Kamogawa River.
First narrow street is Pontocho street.

Pontocho street is from Shijyo to Sanjyo street, about 500m length street.
This street is a famous Hanamachi street, since Edo period.

Many restaurants are along this street.
Old Machiya type house has Inuyarai bamboo fence.
It is a fence for house Wall.


Maiko is walking this street.
Pontocho restaurants invites Maiko and Geiko women.
They wear Kinomo, play dance, speak talk.
This street has 50 cross narrow alleys.


Pontocho street road width is about 3m, very narrow.
It is available for only 2 persons walking.

Expensive restaurants are existing along this street.
Lunchi menu is over 4000 yen.
Some restaurants reject first visitors that are called Ichigensan.


Pontocho alley is an entrance for shops.


Pontocho shops have with high sense, and artistry.
Only seeing these shops from outside is also interesting.

Near the Sanjyo street, Kabu-Renjyo house is existing.
Kamogawa dance is playing at this house.



Ｋamogawa dance is held at May from Meiji period.
Many people see Kamogawa dance.

Pontocho north end is Sanjyo street.
Kamogawa river is seen at right side.


Next I go to Zuisenji temple.
Zuisenji entrance is Kiyamachi street.
About 50m from Sanjyo street to south.




Zuisenji temple has a Hidetsugu-Toyotomi grave.
He is a nephew of Hideyoshi-Toyotomi.
Hidetsugu-Toyotomi is a Kanpaku at Hideyoshi period.
He is seen as a traitor for Hideyoshi.
He was executed at Sanjyo-Gawara.
And all of his family 39members are also executed.
This temple was built to have mercy on Hidetsugu and his family.




Righ side of this grave has a silver rod bell.
Please ring this bell and pray Hidetsugu and his family.
Both side of Hidetsugu grave, his family's small graves are set.



Righ side of Hidetsugu grave, Jizoden house is existing.
This house is praying his family members.


When you stand in front of Jizoden, beautiful light start to light up this house.

Jishusan temple is oppiste side of Jizoden.

Please visit Pontocho and Zuisenji temple.

That's it.

Road Salt: Chikuni-Kaido trip in Nagano pref.

Road Salt: Chikuni-Kaido trip in Nagano pref.
I would like to inform Chikuni-Kaido and Omachi OnsenKyo trip.



From Matsumoto, I ride JR Oito line, about 1 hour riding, arrive at Shinano Omachi station.

Road Salt: Chikuni-Kaido is an Old Salt road from Matsumoto to Itoigawa in Niigata.

I get off at Shinano Omachi station, go north about 10 minutes, arrive at Road Salt Chojiya museum.

This museum is modified Old Shoya house treating salt and Miso etc.
Charge is 500yen.

Office woman explains this museum in detail.
At 1 floor, you can see trading salt, cow riding salts walking at Chikuni-Kaido.

At second floor, doll that carried in play a salt is seen.

Try to carry 60kg salto bag is impossible.

Next is Chikuni Kaido map.

Road salt festival is held in May, at Otari village, Hakuba village, Omachi city.

Next is Storage room of salt.
In this room, salt is push by heavy weight, then salty liquid comes out.


Salty liquid is Nigari.
Making Tofu is necessary this Nigari.

Chojiya museum has also Yabusame museum.
Yabusame museum shows Omachi Yabusame Festival.


Omachi Yabusame Festival is held at 4th Sunday of July around Omachi city.
This festival is Nyakuichi-Oji shrine's festival.



Young child is riding a horse, and shoot plate by arrow.

Dashi vehicles are also attending.


Next I go to Nyakuichi-Oji shrine.
Yabusame festival starts from this shrine.



I ride a bus to Omachi-Oonsenkyo Hot spring.
North Alp mountains are seen from bus.

About 25minutes bus riding,I arrive at Omachi Onsen.
I enter Yakushi-No-Yu hot spring.



When you go to Omachi-Onsen Tourism Association, you can get discount ticket for Yakushi-No-Yu.
This hot spring has two bathes, at Honkan, and Shinkan.
Shinkan bath has Open-Air bath.
Fro Open-Air bath, North Alp mountains are with snow.
This view is wonderful.

I return to JR Shinano Omachi station, I drink Hachi Cider.
This drink uses Kurobe dum ground water.
Taste is tasty but not so sweet.


This area Autumn leaves season will be finished till late of November.

That's it.

Nagano Nozawa hot spring, Kenshin-Uesugi Kasugayama Castle Trip

I would like to inform Nozawa Hot Spring, and Kasugayama Castle Trip.
I get off JR TogariNozawaOnsen station, ride a bus to Nozawa Hot Spring.


I arrive at today's Japanese hotel.
I go to Sky Jump Ramp.
I think that Jumping in this jump ramp is very dangerous.
Nozawa Mt area has some snows till end of May.
Young people enjoy spring skiing.


I return to spring town.

I enter these hot springs.
Matsbanoyu, Ohyu, Kwarayu, Takinoyu, Asagamanoyu, Shinyu.
I recommend two Hot Springs, Ohyu, Shinyu.

Ohyu
This hot spring is used for guide book.
This spring has two bath, hot one and not-hot one.
Beautiful and big spring.

Shinyu
It is high position of spring town.
The bath temperature is suitable for many people.
There are 13 Sotoyu in Nozawa Spring.
All Sotoyu has small locker room.


Next is Asagama.
Town people use hot spring for cooking and washing vegetables.
Travelores can not use this hot spring.


I buy Sake " Mizuo".
This Sake is sold only Nozawa hot spring and Iiyama area.
It is dry and mild taste.


I stay in Nozawa hot spring.
Next morning, I go to Kasugayama Castle Ruine in Jyoetsu city.

I go to JR Kasugayama station, and ride a bus in front of this station.
I get off Kasugayamaso bus stop.
There is Kenshin Uesugi statue near the bus stop.

I go to west, and meet the stone monument.
Turn left to Otedo, go straight to Kasugayama Shrine.
I turn left to Otrdo.

Go to this street, soon arrive at Otedo park.
Go to forward, arrive at Bansho Ruin.

Climb mountain, you arrive at San-no-Maru.
Important house is near San-no-Maru.
After San-no-Maru, Signpost indicate 3 direction.
Please select Honmaru.

Next is Izumi Kakizaki House.

Next is Kagekatsu Uesugi House.
Next is Shoro.


Next is big well.

Climb mountain 300m, you arrive at Tenshukaku, and Honmaru.
From Honmaru ruin, you can see Jyoetsu city plain, and Naoetsu-harbor.



Next is Gomado, Suwado, Bishamondo, Naoe House.




Next is Kasugayama shrine.
At car parking area, there is Kenshin-Uesugi standing statue.

This is the end of Kasugayama trip.

In front of Kasugayamaso bus stop, there is Reserves culture museum.
This museum shows Kenshin's history, and no charge.


Actor of Uesugi Kenshin is waiting me, say thanks for visiting this museum.

Return to Naoetsu station, then go to Niigata.

Visiting Kasugayama castle needs me three hours.
Please visit Kasugayama castle.

That's it.