Tourist spots– category –

The first of 12,000 Tenjin shrines in Japan Origin Story/Overview The first of 12,000 Tenjin shrines in Japan Hofu Tenmangu Shrine was founded in 904 for the worship of Tenjin, the deification of Sugawara no Michizane, a real-life a...

Family treasure trove Mohri House From Daimyo’s Castle to Duke’s Mansion Until the late nineteenth century, the Mohri clan were feudal lords (daimyo) who controlled all of modern-day Yamaguchi from their family seat at Hagi Castle on the...

A Temple to Protect from Calamity and Pray for Happiness A Temple to Protect from Calamity and Pray for Happiness Suo Kokubunji was founded in 741 at the decree of Emperor Shomu (701–756). With a reign marked by rebellions, natural disas...

A pure mind in a pure body Amidaji Temple Origins A pure mind in a pure body The origins of Amidaji Temple are intricately entwined with Todaiji Temple in Nara. Founded in the eighth century, and long the most important Buddhist institut...

A staging post on the way to Edo A Staging Post on the Way to Edo The origins of Eiunso go back to 1654, when it was known as the Mitajiri Teahouse (Mitajiri Ochaya) and had a very specific function. During the Tokugawa shogunate (1600–1...