To celebrating Zenkouji temple’s  Gokaichou(exhibit a Budhist image):Nagano station decorating several lanterns to show respect.

:*About Zenkouji temple please refer my blog 「Zenkouji temple & night view at Obasute 25 Sept,’14」

It is a bit of long way to walk to Zenkouji temple although many do walk and short to take a bus to the temple. So normally I walk on my way back to the Nagano station.

  I took earliest possible train to Nagano station and I arrived in the queue around 10:15 am. Knowing lots of people visiting the temple and means of transportation except walk is bus but they seemed they have not arranged anything at all beforehand.They call a bus for emergency after they saw a long long queue and let us wait so long.

However,I was so fascinated and appreciated I was able to come and finally touch the sacred pole which is linked to the image inside. After you can go inside to see but I did not go. I was happy to touch and felt so much  happiness.

 This is a pole linked to the image. I did not wish anything, I did not have anything to pray. I just recited a sutra in every direction touching my right or both hands to the pole. I was really satisfied I could do so and after even if I did not go to the Main building behind I was filled with power given and filled with happiness.

 This is the garden of a brewery. As I do not drink alcohol I just went to the garden and asked someone to take photo of me, Sumi.Cherry blossoms indeed always make us happy. It is not only cherry blossom is Japan’s country flower but they bloom quickly and fall qyucjky.

 This is a square which a couple of years ago they renovated Japanese old black warehouses. They are called OPEN.It is in GONDOU arcade Nearer to the Zenkouji temple there is similar square called patio which is well known but this OPEN square is new and now known yet. I asked about this place to those who distributed fliers of Zenkouji temple and the town around, at first they puzzled and said what I want is maybe that etc. But to me it is interesting squiare.

  This is a restaurant in the square where I had coffee.I would have had lunch if I had accompany with. It is specious and coffee tasted good! I will come back for lunch with someone in the near future.

Yesterday I went to Ueno Park to see cherry blossoms. Ueno’s cherry blossoms are my favourite although I have not been there for the last few years. They are at their best and people who enjoy them are highly excited.上野駅の人ごみです

 This is Ueno station.You can see how many people are there to see cherry blossoms.

  Overcrowded, indeed overcrowded and took time to get through the exit.

 Ueno is also centre of arts. There are museums, concert halls, galleries and Univ of arts.Behnd crowd concert hall for mostly classics and ballet or opera can be seen.

 Modern art museum hold Rodin’s works.

 This is of also Rodin’s.

People are keeping the space for the evening entertainment.I have never heard in the other country that people gather under the tree to entertain themselves, eating, drinking, singing and even dancing.They will bring Karaoke sets. I thought going through cherry blossoms tunnel that entertaining us ourselves means entertaining spirits of cherry blossoms. Good, so lets enjoy.

  Please enjoy the beautiful Ueno’s cherry blossoms.

  Beer men are attracting attention and was asked to be in the snapshot.I guess they are really popular in the evening when people start to drink, they are beers.

 One of most distinguishable things about Japan is manners in general. I do not know that Japanese are really good mannerd or not but I can say they are very sympathetic towards others.We live in the world of sympathy ( I want to believe) and whether It is merit or demerit to me I would very much like to live on sympathy.Regarding to rubbish, we are requested to put things in certain genre things should go and to be collected.This keep people comfortable keeping Ohanami (appreciation of cherry blossoms) place tidy. Good job!! You are responsible for rubbish.責任を持ってごみを片付けましょう

Another blue sheet for the evening geast.

　You cannot see cherry blossoms without seeing heads.

 Two girls keeping place for friends? family?or colleagues?正座は大変かもしれません

 End of the Ueno park. When wind blows wind makes cherry petal storm。

It’s always exciting to visit places I’ve never been.

Today I start at Shinano Oiwake station of Shinano railway.

I had to get up quite early to get in 7:50 train.　信濃追分駅出発

　　　　 A view of tweed around the station.Standing on the platform of the station Mr Asama can be seen beyond tweed.浅間山が見えます

 A train is coming. Train is approaching,

This train for Karuizawa not for Nagano.　信濃鉄道です

This is inside of Nagano Dentetsu which I have never been.

   Some seets seem to have been brought from somewhere, from other train.I was surprised how much they charge from Nagano to Obuse, 670 yen, thought expensive.　カラフルだけど運賃は高い

Arrived Obuse. This time there is no bus around the city, in fact no bus at all people have means of transportation only on foot. So I took a taxi to Gannshouin

.     A small building outside Ganshoin and mountains behind.　バスはこの時期動いていません

     Entrance to ganshoin and information board.

     Niomon gate and main building through Niomon gate.

 Ganshoin Hondou(main building) I went to Ganshoin to see a Chinese phoenix painted by Hokusai (Katsushika Hokusai) but I was not very much impressed.

     Grape trees wrapped with straws to prevent them from cold north wind, they say.I started to chat with owner and she said she lost her mother-in-law and her husband last year.　I always enjoy talking with local people.土地の人と話すのはたのしい

     Two private houses.A house left reminds me of my home town Hakodate. The house looks like typical houses in Hakodate, in Hokkaidou.

   Noren(shop curtains) are symbol of Obuse. They represent Sake or Obuse’s symbol chesnuts.

   Chestnut Tree Terrace & Masuichi Ichimura Sake brewer.Chestnut Tree Terrace coffee shop is recommended by information at the station and as they recommended their Mont Blanc cake made of Obuse chesnuts are so delicious that I had two.Masuichi Ichimura is known as an American woman invited an architect designer from Hong Kong and renovated the brewer completely with the etrangere’s sense.I read her book and was impressed on her different point of view.

     Noren (shop curtain) of Obusedou, one of the most famous of Japanese cakes made of chestnuts.Museum was closed due to being under construction, I must visit them again.

     Tiny quarter of old houses which brought me to Edo period(timetripped)/　江戸時代のよう

    Where I am now? I am lost in other world? This is a reality or not? It seemed people lives cosily without having so many things, simple is best, so they carried simple life.

     They know the beauty of pots. And even carrier is displayed.

      Barrell to be used to make sake.

   Old house with nicely trimmed pine trees. Barrells to see from different direction.

      Exit gate and backyard of Obusedou.

  People walking are matching to old houses.

Sensouji temple in Asakusa.

Before visiting Sensouji temple I and my friend visited Matsujiyama Shoutem (待乳山聖天)　to visit the temple as well as saying hello to my friend working who by chance we started to talk and became friends.

Matsujiyama temple and Skytree view from the temple premises.The same Skytree from near the River.

Asakusa jinja(shrine,浅草神社）next to the Sensouji temple. Cherry blossoms in winter(I do not know where they are from)

Asakusa jinja and Sensouji temple, people gather to get smoke where they like to be cured.

 R

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Renovated lantern of Kamimarimon Gate

   Boss maple among 5 maple trees.  30-40 years old?            I I hope you will enjoy beautiy of our garden!.

                                    All in our garden.

I like our house is called a house of maples.

Ladder from veranda to garden.

Veranda

More beauties

  Near entrance garage.

Beautiful maples here and there.

 Again, near the entrance. Let me introduce my favourite spot for this season.Perfect view from Karuizawa Oohashi(bridge).  

So good to see.

Obasute station, a musician plays shakuhachi(bamboo flute).尺八の音が響く。

On Saturday/Sundays in August and September there is tour trains from Nagano to Obasute to have a view of Nagano city. Musician is one of the attractions held to welcome guests. We just took local train to Obasute and enjoyed quiet half an hour.Recommended!

Night view from Obaste station platform.On the right side there is terraced rice field and they show where they are by lighling.Obasute station　姨捨えき

We bought this non alcoholic amazake(fermented rice liquid) to drink at Obasute station but this good idea completely slipped our mind.甘酒

My friend enjoys sake tasting.

This is entrance of the Miso/Liquor shop. This reminds me of typical entrances in Kyoto.おいでやす。

 Shop curtain.

   You write your wishes on the back of ema (votive picture tablet of a horse) and hang them as they are.絵馬

 After you read fortune slip you tie as they are.

   Zenkoji temple again.

     People gather around the smoke. which they say purify and cure wherever you want.

Pine tree in the ground of the temple, well cared.

Zenkoji temple　善光寺

Hello! This is Sumi, the author of this blog.The temple is dedicated to Amida Buhdda from Korea and when the Zenkoji was built they decided this temple open to anyone, to any religion because Buhdda is brought here from Korea. Inside the main building even if there are many people I felt the place very solemn. I have visited here three times already, still I like to visit there again.

A souvenir shop along.

Here is my friend taking photo of the gate.You can see my friend again in  the approach to the temple. My friend would like to be in the picture in full but as I was nasty I did not put her all. Telling the truth she is young and beautiful for her age and I am afraid someone might chase her.

Whole view of the Sanmon, the gate.

Sanmon, the gate to the temple. You can climb and enjoy the view there.

Gallery on its way. I have been to Zenkoji three times but haven’t visited any gallery along the temple.Interesting to see inside!

.Old building on its way.It is now used for restaurant. I like to have lunch there one day.

One sunny day my friend I visited Zenkoji temple and night view at Obasute station. From this crossing we are to enter the Zenkoji.結界です。