Gama no Ike pond

The pond that stands just below Bishaimon Hall at Takkoku. The name means Toad Pond. On the island at the centre of the pond stands a shrine dedicated to the goddess Benten, who promotes intelligence, happiness and skillfulness and brings good luck in business.

Temples

May 12th 2010
Today I took the train to Hiraizumi - a 20 minute ride from my base in Mizusawa and a quaint little town that (incidentally) happens to be a world heritage site. Undeterred by the rain, I sallied forth and was not disappointed. My first stop was to a Cave Temple called Takkoku-no-Iwaya Bishamon-Do (try saying that to the bus driver and getting it right!). Cave Temple is a little misleading as ... read more

Asia » Japan » Iwate » Hiraizumi

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more

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