Dai mon at Koyasan
I love to come to “Koyasan“. religious city on the mountain.
Last time I came with railway and bus and realized it is possible to come with car.
It is one hour drive from center of Waakayama city.
Here is “Daimon” huge gate to enter holly world.
Look at the gate, it is like a building, huge and brilliant.
Dai mon at Koyasan
Tow guards are watching not to any evil come into the holly world.
It is all made in wood.
As a statue, they are alive and glittering strong power.
Dai mon at Koyasan
Ancient emperor admit Buddhism as a new culture and technology.
8th century of Japan.
Sesame tofu at Hamadaya for light lunch
Hamadaya sesame tofu
Hamadaya sesame tofu
Sesame tofu is the most famous natural dish in Koyasan.
Basically monk does not eat meat.
Religiously they are natural vegans.
They take protein from vegetables like soybeans, tofu.
Sesame tofu is rich taste and you can eat with Soy Sauce and wasabi or sugar.
It cost 400 yen per one.
Hamadaya gives you a tiny place to taste it with special tea.
Center of Koyasan “Okunoin”,where master Kukai is still praying
Okuno in at Koyasan
Okunoin is the center of Koyasan, because master Kukai is living here.
It is easy to park in front of 4th bridge parking.
Formally you should start from 1st bridge but 1st bridge has no room for parking so normally you walk from 4th bridge.
Okuno in at Koyasan
It is well designed, almost flat to walk around.
Elder people and disabilities could walk.
It was really fine day even in November not cold.
Here you can see the “Eireiden”, shrine for dead people in WW2.
Okuno in at Koyasan
You can see the huge cedar trees.
At least 1250 years had passed.
There are many famous tombs of ancient famous samurai.
Okuno in at Koyasan
The Gobyobashi
This is Gobyobashi Bridge, the boundary between this world and the other world.
Here is the last place you can take a picture.
The other side of the bridge is the afterlife, a sacred world where Kukai continues to pray to this day.
It was good timing that no one was near the bridge.
You can pass the bridge one stone by one stone praying.
Do you notice a wonderful scent?
The scent of incense is meant to ward off evil spirits and help you concentrate on your training.
The master Kukai sit deep underground and are still praying for the happiness and peace of the people of the world.
Great.
Heiwa bashi
Tree leaves are turning to red.
I passed the Heiwabashi, peace bridge to get back.
Heiwa bashi
Moved to Kongobuji, Danjou Garan
The Kongoubuji
Modern monk trains here.
Famous “Kongobuji”.
Entrance fee is 1000 yen, adult.
The Kongoubuji
In the large hall at the back of the temple, you can listen to the monk’s stories that will benefit you.
Beautiful works of art are also on display, enriching your soul.
Moved to Danjou Garan
Since ancient times, it has been called Konpon Daito because it was built as a symbol of the Konpon Dojo of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism.
The principal image is Dainichi Nyorai, surrounded by the four Buddhas of the Vajra world, the 16 great bodhisattvas on the 16 pillars, and the 8 esoteric Buddhism statues on the four corner walls.
A statue of Hasso is depicted, and the interior of the hall itself is structured as a three-dimensional mandala.
You need to pay to see inside for 500 yen adult.
Pitifully picture is not allowed. But worth to see. It is a Universe.
Master Kukai did not know where is the right place to train.
So he threw “Sanko”, tools of Buddhism, to the air.
Finally the sanko was found on this palm tree.
It should be an anecdote but it shew that this mountain, Koyasan, was the right place to train.
Niutsuhime shrine
Koyasan mountain was a land of Neutsuhime, a tribe that owned mountains and collected mercury, etc.
Emperor told to lent of gave some mountain to master Kukai.
He thanked to the clan and made the shrine.
Nishi tou
I really enjoyed to walk in Danjou Garan.
Ancient Japanese could be inspired a lot as i do today.
I should work hard.
Back to Wakayama city
I went back to Wakayama city my friend drove safely in a mountain road.
A special Dinner, eating Kue, king of fish.
appetizer
It is fun to eat seafood in Wakayama.
From autumn you can choose “Kue”, king of fish.
It is difficult to fish and the meat is full of fat and taste.
Here is restaurant “Ginpei Takumi“, near Wakayama castle.
It cost you 11,000 yen per person. Reservation is needed.
Sashimi
Tuna, squid, Tai, swordfish,hamachi.
Fried Kue
Fried Kue.
Favoris.
It melts in your mouth.
Kue Nabe
Kue nabe, hot pot, is a popular way to eat Kue.
Not to do Shabu Shabu you can put it for a while.
The meat will turn into melty kiss.
Kue Nabe
You can eat with Ponzu, vinegar and soy sauce with dashi.
Ponzu tare for kue
After you eat everything you can make Ojiya, put some rice in the pot and egg.
It is popular to eat Ojiya at the end .
So delicious.
Taste of heaven, food of artwork.
Ojiya for finishing Kue Nabe
Home made ice cream.
Based on brown sugar and milk.
Really good.
desert ice cream
After coming back to the hotel.
I did not forget to eat local ice cream.
Famous ice cream in Wakayama
I never see this in Tokyo.
You can purchase at CVS, less than one US doller.
Revelation 21:1-27
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” …