Introduction
When coming to Kansai, many people always visit Kyoto and Nara, but in fact, many cultural heritage sites have been preserved in the surrounding areas. Representative examples include Kannon Bodhisattva belief in the Wakasa region faced to Japan Sea and the area around Lake Biwa, and the four national treasure temples in the Harima region next to Osaka. Of course, there are also the beautiful Himeji Castle, known as World Heritage, and Engyoji Temple, which was the filming location for The Last Samurai, movies starring Tom Cruise, but I will introduce them here as a detour.
The Harima area is surrounded by deep forests and the Seto Inland Sea, and although it is close to Kansai, it is blessed with an abundance of nature and local ingredients. If you’re in Kyoto or Nara, it’s worth going one step further to visit there.
Detail
1st day (National treasure day)
National Treasure Temples in Harima region that can be enjoyed better than Kyoto; Ichijoji Temple
1 hour and 15 minutes by car from downtown Kobe. On the way, as we enter Takasago City, we see a quarry* directly in front of us, which has collapsed along with the mountain. When we see this, we exit the expressway and head up the mountain road.
*)This quarry has been quarrying Tatsuyama stone for 1,700 years, from the Kofun period to the present, and it is a valuable stone that is used in the sarcophagus of the Emperor’s tomb and the National Diet building.
If you have time, you might want to stop by Kakurinji Temple (also a national treasure) in Kakogawa City, which is said to have been built by Prince Shotoku Taishi. You’ll also want to stop by Oushiko Shrine in Takasago City, where a gigantic piece of Tatsuyama stone is worshiped. There is a record that Dr. Siebold also stopped by at the end of the Edo period. The megalithic shrine is reminiscent of the rock-hewn church in Lalibela, Ethiopia. You can reach the nearest stations of these places in about 1 hour by train from Kobe.
Kaikei’s Amida Triad statue and hall that embody the Western Pure Land (National Treasure); Jodoji Temple
About 30 minutes from Ichijoji temple, we headed to Jodoji temple in Ono City, passing many agricultural ponds along the way. The key is to visit Jodoji temple in the Western Pure Land in the evening. The design is such that the Shaka triad is illuminated in the hall where the setting sun shines through. Although Ono City has a well-developed community bus system, the routes are so complicated that it is difficult for non-locals to use them.
Detour
Points that everyone misses at the World Heritage Site Himeji Castle
When you get off at Himeji Station, you can see Himeji Castle in front of you, but it’s a surprisingly long walk to reach the gate of the castle, and furthermore you have to walk quite a bit to get to the castle tower inside Himeji Castle itself, so I recommend taking the bus from the station.
Engyoji Temple, filming location for The Last Samurai
Engyoji Temple is located on Mt. Shosha, and even after climbing by ropeway, you have to go up and down to reach it. When you reach the deepest part, you will see the castle of the military commander Katsumoto, played by Ken Watanabe, in a scene from The Last Samurai.
*)To get to Engyoji Temple by using public transportation, there is a bus from the north exit of Himeji Station to the Shosha mountain Ropeway terminal.
2nd day (Nature day)
Too exaggerated to call it “Oirase Valley in the west?”; Akasai Valley
One hour from Himeji’s inner parlor, Yumesakigawa Onsen. It is located halfway between the Seto Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan, and is close to Tottori Prefecture. First of all, you should stop by at the road station “Haga” to rent a road bike.
First texture, fermented food ; Shiso City
50 minutes from Akasai valley to the center of Shiso City. Enjoy dishes made with sake koji or lees in a town lined with famous sake breweries.
A town where time has stopped, Tatsuno
tatsuno city (13)
30 minutes from Shiso to Tatsuno City. The town layout remains as it was in the past, and traditional townhouse buildings have been preserved. There is free parking everywhere.
The navigation says it will take 1 hour and 15 minutes to get back to Kobe, but Kobe city is always congested so you need to allow at least 2 hours.
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