Chigasaki is also famous for Kawazu-zakura cherry blossoms. About 70 Kawazu-zakura trees are in full bloom on the bank along the Koidegawa River. The dark pink flowers look beautiful against the rape blossoms and the sunset.
Kawagoe, located in the southwestern part of Saitama Prefecture, used to flourish as a castle town and is called “Koedo”. There are many historic sites such as shrines and temples, and the number of cultural properties in the Kanto region is said to be the third largest after Kamakura and Nikko. When I visited Kawagoe for the first time, it was covered with spring weather, and the white plum blossoms were in full bloom at Yakushi Shrine. The townscape of Kurazukuri remains well. The potato has been a specialty since the Edo period. The local sake is also delicious. The bell that is the symbol of the city is “Nihon Otofukei 100 Selection”. Shiki MASAOKA composed a haiku while he was a student here.
The Soga Plum Grove in Odawara is at its peak. At Kozu Station (KO- ZU) on the JR Tokaido Line, transfer to the Gotemba Line and get off at Shimosoga Station. About 35,000 white plum trees were in full bloom and reflected the sunset. Mt. Fuji is also nearby. This village of Soga is famous for ‘Soga Monogatari’, one of Japan’s three famous avenges. I remembered the Soga brothers at his family temple, Jozen-ji Temple.
That is the 79 th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage.The principal image is the 11 faced Kanzeon Bosatsu. It is said to have been founded by Gyoki. The temple precinct is adjacent to the Shiramine-gu Shrine where Retired Emperor Sutoku used to be enshrined, and the temple is a mysterious union of the shrine and temple. It is called Tennoji Temple for historical reasons. It is about 6 kilometers from Goshoji Temple. On the way, I was relieved to find a Sanuki dialect guide called “You’re almost there. Hang in there.”. I washed my hands with fresh water from the famous spring Yasoba just before this temple. Next to it is the tokoroten-ya (gelidium jelly shop), which dates back to the Edo period.