Chugoku– category –

Nisonin Temple, located on the western edge of Honshu (the main island of Japan) , is a temple with 1,200 years of history. I had a meditation session in the main hall. Dinner is buddhist vegetarian cuisine made with local ingredients. After the meal, we had time to chat with the head priest over some drinks.

This is a shukubo of Saijyoinari, one of the three largest Inari shrines in Japan. On the occasion of the separation of Shinto and Buddhism in the Meiji period, the mixed worshipping style of Shinto and Buddhism was allowed here. Shukubo's room I stayed in was a 10 tatami Japanese-style room.

ShimizuDaishiji Temple was founded in 812 by Kobo Daishi.I experienced Ajikan meditation in the main hall. I continued breathing for a while, calming my mind. Because it was a temple in the mountains, the sounds of the wind and the croaking of frogs echoed softly, and I felt my mind become clearer in a quiet, still way.

This is a shukubo of Sanbutsuji which is famous for Nageire-do, a special construction which is said to have been thrown into a cliff by a practitioner and stuck there. The Mitoku tofu, which is also called Bijo (beautiful lady) tofu, is especially famous.