Yahiko Station
I came to Yahiko station.
You can come here by train efficiently, 3 hours trip.
Usually take a Joetsu Shinkansen super express from Tokyo station to Tsubame Sanjyo station.
Take the Yahiko line and ahead for Yahiko station.
It takes 3 hours to reach.
It is comfortable trip.
The Yahiko Garden
The Yahiko Garden
Right next to Yahiko Station is Yahiko Park. I plan to take a stroll through the park on my way to Yahiko Shrine.
First, let me briefly explain who Yahiko-sama is.
The deity worshipped there is called “Yahiko-sama” (Ame-no-Kaguyama-no-Mikoto).
He was a noble leader who helped develop the Echigo region, teaching people agriculture, fishing, and community life.
People remembered him as a god.
For many Japanese people, Yahiko-sama represents harmony between nature, human life, and spiritual respect.
Visitors come to the shrine to pray for safe travel, good fortune, successful business, family happiness, and protection.
There is also a hot spring source.
The Yahiko Garden
Japanese soba for lunch–Kyojyuan
The Kajyuan Soba noodle restaurant
There was a Japanese soba noodle restaurant next to the shrine.
The name of that restaurant was Kyojyuan.
Cold Soba (Mori Soba)
Even though it was only May, the temperature was high, almost 30 degrees Celsius, making it a hot day.
I wanted something refreshing, so I chose Japanese soba noodles.
The cold soba noodles cost 900 yen.
menu
Visiting Yahiko Shrine
The Yahiko Shrine
Who lives in The Yahiko Shrine
Path to the main building
It feels like you’re making your way through a deep forest.
Path to the main building
The main building of the Yahiko Shrine
This is a rare type of shrine in Japan where worship is performed in a specific manner: two bows, four claps, and one bow.
Normally, at shrines, worship is performed in two bows, two claps, and one bow.
This is the same way of worshipping as at Izumo Taisha Shrine, and it may be an ancient custom.
The main building of the Yahiko Shrine
After viewing the main shrine, exit through the small gate on the left, and you’ll find the free shuttle bus stop to the ropeway station.
There will be staff and buses, so you shouldn’t get lost.
Now, we’ll take the ropeway to the summit of Mount Yahiko.
The bus takes you to the ropeway station
The ropeway station ground level
Ropeway ticket booth
The round-trip fare for one adult is 1500 yen.
The ropeway operates every 15 minutes.
The stairs are steep, so old people with weak legs should be careful.
The summit of Mt. Yahiko
It takes about 5 minutes to reach the summit.
The summit of Mt. Yahiko
The summit of Mt. Yahiko
What a beautiful day it is! Sado Island looks so big.
If you look at a map of Japan, you’ll get an idea of how big Sado Island is.
Rice ice cream
I had rice ice cream at the shop at the top of the mountain.
It was perfect because it was so hot.
Hotel Minoya
A hotel “Minoya”
Yahiko Village is also an old hot spring town.
Among them, Minoya is a modern hotel.
Photography is not allowed, but you can relax your body by enjoying the hot springs and the food.
Grilled Fish dishes
A simple dish using fish from the Sea of Japan.
The miso soup with wild vegetables has a simple flavor.
I thought it was truly natural cuisine.
Hosea 6:3
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”