Category: Shrine

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New Year’s first visit in 2023, Tokyo

Khaaw

Happy New Year! New Year’s Day in Tokyo was a peaceful start to the year. After visiting my guardian shrine nearby, then I visited Meiji Jingu shrine and Asakusa Sensoji-temple, to see how many people have come back for New Year’s visits this year. Meiji Jingu in the early afternoon seemed to be a little shorter than it used be before COVID-19, but there were still long lines of people looking forward to the new year. Passing through the first torii made of brand-new cedar, which was rebuilt last July for the first time in about 100 years, and enter … Continue reading New Year’s first visit in 2023, Tokyo

ShrineLeave a comment

English guide training in Meiji Jingu shrine

Khaaw

I participated in a Meiji Jingu trauning tour sponsored by a volunteer group called the Tokyo City Guide Club, consists of members who have passed the examination of Tokyo city guide license. We enjoyed Meiji Jingu shrine under the beautiful autumn day participating a hands-on training to improve guides’ skills in guiding around Meiji Jingu in English. Each group consisted of about 5 people, and while receiving advice from veterans, we stopped here and there for guiding interesting places. Unlike the online trainings at with COVID19, I learned the difficulty and fun of explaining with ad-libs in the atmosphere of … Continue reading English guide training in Meiji Jingu shrine

Palace Castle, Shrine, TempleLeave a comment

The three most famous places in Tokyo, must-visit places

Khaaw

There are many interesting places to visit in Tokyo, but if you are the first time to visit to Tokyo, it is recommended visiting the Imperial Palace, Meiji shrine, and Asakusa, Sensoji-temple First, let’s visit the Imperial Palace, which is close to Tokyo Station, the center of Tokyo. The Imperial Palace has been the residence of emperors since the Emperor Meiji moved his residence from Kyoto in 1869 to here, used to be Edo castle of Tokugawa shogunnate, and is now the residence of the 126th Emperor Naruhito and his royal family. Let’s take a look at the main hall, … Continue reading The three most famous places in Tokyo, must-visit places

Festival, ShrineLeave a comment

Otaue, rice planting, festival at Isasumi Shrine, Aizu

Khaaw

Isasumi Shrine, the Chief Shinto shrine for the former Iwashiro province located in Aizu-misato popular by annual otaue, or rice planting, Shinto ritual praying good harvest. Aizu-Misato is historic town in a quiet rural landscape located just west of Aizu-Wakamatsu, which is famous for Tsuruga Castle well-known by Boshin War at the end of Edo era. The rice planting festival at Isasumi Shrine is a traditional ritual that has continued since the Edo period. This ritual festival consists of many events including Singh chasing and Mikoshi togyo, parade of portable shrine by local children and adults between main building of … Continue reading Otaue, rice planting, festival at Isasumi Shrine, Aizu

garden, Plant, ShrineLeave a comment

 Amazing iris in Meiji shrine

Khaaw

The most popular shrine in heart of Tokyo, Meiji Shrine, we can enjoy beutiful iris in the garden of the sheine in June. After I visited main buildings of the shrine, where I could see couple who were having wedding celemony in traditional Japanese style. After I prayed peace and happiness, then I visited the inner garden and enjoyed beautiful iris in marsh. Please enjoy my YouTube video for watching beautiful iris. Continue reading  Amazing iris in Meiji shrine

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The most exciting festival in Tokyo, Sanja Matsuri 2022 in ASAKUSA

Khaaw

The most exciting festivals in Tokyo, the Sanja Matsuri “Three Shrine Festival”, has revived for the first time in three years, although some parts scaled down, I’ve been there for three days. After two years of silence, the voice of the festival returns to Asakusa. The night before the first day the head priest of Asakusa Shrine performs a ritual to invite the spirits of the shrine in main building and transfer into the three main mikoshi, portable shrines. Rei-taisai, the most important Shinto ritual held in annually to express for having spent the year safely and pray for future … Continue reading The most exciting festival in Tokyo, Sanja Matsuri 2022 in ASAKUSA

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Beautiful peony flowers in Ueno Tosho-gu

Khaaw

Ueno Park is famous for cherry blossom viewing, but after the cherry blossom season, now is time for tree peony and herbaceous peony. At peony garden in Tosho-gu, we can enjoy both peonies, late-blooming tree peony and early-blooming herbaceous peony right now. Ueno Tosho-gu, now in Ueno Park, used be in the vast precincts of Toeizan Kan’eiji Temple during the Edo period, when it was a Shinto and Buddhist syncretism. It was a place visited by many Edo people who was not able to visit Nikko Tosho-gu. This peony garden is located in precincts of Tosho-gu. Both tree peony and … Continue reading Beautiful peony flowers in Ueno Tosho-gu

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Azalea Festival-Nezu shrine, Tokyo’s most beautiful shrine-

Khaaw

I visited an azalea festival of Nezu Shrine, which is said to be the most beautiful shrine in Tokyo. The origin of the azaleas in this garden began when the 6th Tokugawa Shogun Tokugawa Tsunashige planted 350 years ago, and now about 3,000 azaleas of 100 varieties have been planted, making it a spring tradition in Bunkyo city. The garden created in the natural slope is wonderful, and I was able to enjoy the wonderful combination of flower colors. The history of this garden goes back to the time when 6th Tokugawa Shogun Tokugawa Tsunashige planted azareas 350 years ago, … Continue reading Azalea Festival-Nezu shrine, Tokyo’s most beautiful shrine-

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Thousands cherries in Mt. Yoshino, Mountain of Deities of cherries

Khaaw

Now. Mt. Yoshino, a famous place for cherry blossoms that has been respected and loved for more than 1300 years, is in full bloom. The cherry blossoms of Yoshino were worshiped more than 1300 years as a sacred tree since the founder of Shugendo, En no Gyoja, carved the main image, Zao Gongen, on the mountain cherry tree. Zaō Gongen (also spelled Zao) is one of the most important mountain deities of Japan’s syncretic Shugendō sects, a diverse tradition of mountain ascetic practices associated with Shintō beliefs. It is said that there are about 30,000 trees are planted in Yashino … Continue reading Thousands cherries in Mt. Yoshino, Mountain of Deities of cherries

ShrineLeave a comment

First visit to my guardian shrine and Meiji shrine

Khaaw

Meiji shrine and my guardian shrine (1 January 2021) Tokyo has a gentle and calm New year’s day. Attracted by Japanese apricot’s fragrance, I visited my guidian’s shrine first. I always enjoy this early blooming red double Japanese apricot. It seemed fewer visitors than usual year. Then I went to Meiji shrine where much fewer than usual year. I passed the first Torii gate very smoothly. Very fewer people on the approaching way than the last year. Walking speed became slower after south god’d gate, but much much smoother than average year! There were not so much people at Shibuya … Continue reading First visit to my guardian shrine and Meiji shrine