Susa Shrine in Shimane

A friend from Hiroshima and I went to a very famous and popular power spot in Izumo, Susa Shrine. In spite of it being a remote place, there were many visitors. 

This is the main shrine. The enshrined deity is Susano-o.

It is said that the sacred tree "Great Sugi" has been protecting the shrine from lightning.

There are four kitsune foxes in Inari shrine.

Small foxes are also lined up.

The direction stone on the driveway in front of Torii gate.

There is another shrine across the street from Susa Shrine.  An enshrined deity is Amaterasu (Sun Goddess), the sister of Susano-o.

After the Shrine, we went to the Tamatsukuri Hot Springs.

Round designs found in Shimane

Designs represent the characteristics of each town.  Manhole near Izumo Station.  

Manhole in Izumo Sada Town.

And a scenery stamp of Agou Post Office in Misato Town.

I am back in my home town of Shimane again!

High School "Kagura" Competition in Hiroshima

I visited "Kagura Dome" of Aki-Takada City of Hiroshima, a very famous town for Kagura (court music and dance dedicated to the Shinto gods), to watch the high school Kagura performances in the last weekend of July.  Due to my tight schedule, I only had time to see the first two performances.

This is the first performance "Sarutahiko."

It was my first time to watch Kagura by high school students and it was very exciting and quite captivating.

The second performance "Tsuchigumo (Earth Spider)," was performed by girls, which I've never seen before, as the dancers are always males.

The voice was very clear and words were very clear and audible.

The sudden transformation to the demon was also brilliant, and there was a huge applause.

Great performance, girls!!

"Kagura Monzen Touji Mura Village" holds Kagura performances on a daily basis.  There is also a wonderful hot spring and has a convivial atmosphere.

Iwami Ginzan

I went to Iwami Ginzan, the silver mine of world heritage. After I finished shopping and came out of the "Gungen-do" store, a very old cat was taking a nap right in the middle of the street.

A nice light lunch of three coloured wariko soba noodle.

My main purpose to visit Iwami Ginzan was to receive this commemorative postmark on summer greeting postcards for friends.

Dam in Shimane

Shimane's heavy rain the other day made national news.  The local cable broadcast station kept announcing the volume of water released from Hamahara Dam near my parents home.  I became curious and went out to see the dam for myself.

The water coming out of the dam.

Extremely powerful force and sound.

Taking a photo from this angle made me feel very nervous.

The other side of the dam is very tranquil.

I visited the dam when I was in an elementary school for an excursion.  It was such a long walk when I think about it now.

I went to see Shitsumi Dam near Izumo as well.  It was quite interesting to see the two different dams; old and new.

A rain cloud drifted away in the afternoon, revealing the beautiful half moon in the blue sky.

Sanbe Mountain in Shimane

I am back in my hometown Shimane, where the rainy season is over and hot summer days have arrived.    

Today, I drove around the mountain roads near Mt. Sanbe, which is Shimane's very famous and beautiful mountain.

There were many cows released to pasture.

Occasional cool breeze is very pleasant. 

The picturesque, beautiful blue sky.  Even the reflection in the car mirror is beautiful!

Tourist Information Center "Kyo Navi"

Tourist Information Center "Kyo Navi" is located in Kyoto Station Bldg. 2F, and opens daily from 8:30AM to 7:00PM.  Staffs speak English, Chinese and Korean.  Tel. 075-343-0548

They have many brochures, pamphlets, tour maps, etc. and various discount tickets as well.

I obtained tickets of Hozugawa River Boat Ride:  regular 3,900 yen for 3,510 yen (10% off).  There were also discount tickets of rental bicycle and Kyoto Tower Observatory.

My Original Map of Yamahoko Procession

Yamahoko Procession, known as the "moving museum" ended successfully on the 17th. Below is a map of Procession with other events information that I made for guests of Maeniiya.

This is a decorative gable of "Tsuki-hoko Float." 

There is a legendary three-legged crow "Yatagarasu" on the roof.

This is a gable of "Kanko-hoko Float."

Gable of "Kikuzui-hoko Float" has a phenix.

And a dragon is drawn on the ceiling.

Two showy dragons on the top of the float as well.

Gion Matsuri Festival in Kyoto Station

Gion Matsuri Festival started, and Kyoto Station is also decorated with Matsuri Lanterns.

32 Yamahoko Float miniatures are displayed on the 2nd floor of Kyoto Station, until July 16th.

These miniature floats are very precisely made and beautiful!

This is "Hosho Yama" float which is the only one I failed to see last year.

This is the leading float "Naginata Hoko."

This is a very popular "Tourou Yama" float which has a huge moving praying mantis figure.

Designs of tenugui towels change every year, and they are usually sold out very quickly.

Jyoumyou Yama Float is also perfectly miniaturized.

Many Yamahoko goods are displayed too.

I personally like "Tsuki Hoko" float design.