Early blooming rape blossoms are in full bloom at Mt. Azuma in Ninomiya Town, Kanagawa Prefecture. The weather was nice and the silhouette of Mt. Fuji was beautiful. The sweet scent of rape blossoms fills the air and makes me feel refreshed for a while. The flower language is “cheerful love”.Spring is drawing near.“Risshun” （the first day of spring）is coming soon.
A new commercial facility was built in Odawara last December. From the rooftop, you can see scenes of Odawara Castle and Sagami Bay that you have never seen before. It is interesting to see the castle tower of Odawara Castle from this angle. The sunset sinking into Hakone was beautiful. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the closing 2020 years.
That is the 78 th temple of Shikoku 88temple pilgrimage.The principal image is Amida Nyorai.This temple is a rare temple in the 88 sacred places of Shikoku where different sects of Ji sect and Shingon sect coexist. From Kaiganji I walked through Tadotsu and Marugame streets towards Takamatsu. I miss Marugame Castle. Beyond the Seto Inland Sea, I could see the mountains of my hometown, Kurashiki, and was filled with emotion.
Oiso has a beautiful row of pine trees and still retains many of the atmosphere of the old Tokaido. The beach of Oiso has been called “Koyurugi no Hama Beach” since ancient times, and is a place where beautiful utamakura (a place famed in classical Japanese poetry) appeared in Manyoshu.When the railway opened in the Meiji period, the area flourished as a seaside resort (Be the first in Japan) and as a villa area for Genkun in the Meiji period. Oiso is said to be the birthplace of Shonan due to its mild climate, and there are many historical places such as the place associated with Toragozen,, who fell in love with Juro, the older brother of the Soga brothers. I thought of it on the beach.
2021 has come. On New Year’s mornings there are many clear skies every year, but this year it was especially clear, and the sun’s rays were shining brightly. 2020 was a difficult year for mankind. I prayed for the first sunrise of the year. I look forward to working with you again this year.
Chigasaki Beach on New Year’s Eve had a clear air and the last sunset and sunset of the year was very vivid. There were so many people on the beach that they watched the last sunset of the year. I wish you all the best next year. Thank you for stopping by the chigasaki Sunset Museum this year. I look forward to working with you again next year.
The view from Nomazaki Lighthouse on Chita Peninsula is one of the best scene in Ise Bay. I enjoyed the view of the sunset and beautiful sunset over the Kii Peninsula. This year will also end. I prayed that next year would be a good year.
The evening view from Morito-jinja Shrine in Hayama is called ‘Morito no Sekisho’ and has been chosen as one of the top 50 scenic spots in Kanagawa. The sky became madder and the color of the sea surface changed every moment. I couldn’t see Mt. Fuji, but the view is wonderful whenever I come. This temple is said to have been founded by MINAMOTO no Yoritomo. Beyond the monument of the late Yujiro Ishihara who loved this place, there is the Hayama Lighthouse (Another name: Yujiro Lighthouse) that his older brother Shintaro Ishihara built in memory of his younger brother.
That is the 18th temple of Shikoku exceptional Sacred Sites.Its principal image is Seikanzeonbosatsu and its founder was Kobo Daishi. According to temple legend, this temple is the birthplace of Tamayori Gozen, Kobo Daishi’s mother. Behind the main hall is the Seto Inland Sea. I was comforted for a while by the calm view of the sea after a long time. At the temple gate, local sumo wrestlers greeted me instead of Nio statues. From the main hall to Daishi-do called Oku-no-in, cross the JR Yosan Line. Hydrangeas float on the chozubachi in Okunoin and it is beautiful.
After visiting Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura, a famous temple of the Rinzai sect, I climbed Mt. Shojoken in the precincts and watched the sunset. I could also see Kamakura Gakuen below. I sang the words to the classic Southern All Stars song, ”Bid farewell to the sunset’. Sagami Bay can also be seen beyond Wakamiyaoji Street. It was a beautiful sunset.
