Tanigumi is a welcoming village, with friendly people and quiet streets. The town retains its small village charm and is well known as being the site of Kegon-ji, the last temple on the 33 temple Saigoku Pilgrimage (Sakoku sanjusansho jurei), a 1500km pilgrimage that stretches from Lake Biwa to Kobe, and touches both the East and West coasts of Japan. This pilgrimage is in honor of Kannon-sama, Goddess of Mercy. Each temple on the pilgrimage is associated with a different miracle.

Great photos of Kegon-ji Temple!! (Copyright © 2001 taleofgenji.org)

At Kegon-ji, you can venture down a dark staircase under the main hall for 200 yen, and grope around a narrow, pitch-black corridor in search of a smooth rock. If you find the rock, you have touched Buddha's heart and attained enlightenment. Near the main hall is a building covered with strings of one thousand paper cranes, left behind in hopes that they will carry the prayers of the sick to heaven. Some also leave behind baby bibs, in hopes that their prayers for a child will be answered.

TRAVEL HINT: Near to Kegon-ji, is Yokokura-dera, a temple that holds the mummified remains of an old monk, who slowly poisoned himself over 10 years so that his body would easily mummify. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside the temple. However, it is sure to leave a memorable image in your mind!

In November, you have an excellent excuse to really enjoy all the town has to offer, by visiting during one of the two fall festivals, which are called "Momiji Matsuri." The first is held on Sunday, November 14th from 10am-4pm, and the second (held exclusively at Yokokora-dera) is on November 21st from 9am-4pm. The festivals involve singing, dancing, mochi throwing and of course, some fabulous festival food!

ACCESS:
(Public transportation)
Take Tarumi Railroad from Ogaki Station to Tanigumi Station. Ride the Ibigawa-cho Community Bus from Tanigumi Station to Kegon-ji.
Train/Bus Schedule (Japanese).

(Car)
Take Route 157 to Neo, and turn right at the sign for Tanigumi-san.

-Raygan S

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Tucked away in a rural part of Mino City, Gifu, this impressive shrine has three main structures, which were built in the late 1600s and early 1700s during the Edo Period. The main shrine and worship hall have been designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan (1).

TRAVEL HINT: Don't miss the fall colors at Oyada Momiji Valley and Oyada Shrine's Hinkoko Puppet Performance. Local snacks including goheimochi (mochi rice on a stick, with sauce) and ki-no-medengaku (tofu on a stick with sauce) are sold from November 1st to December 5th.

ACCESS:
(Public transportation)
Mino Station (Nagaragawa Railway) → Gifu Bus on Takami Line (高美線)→ Get off at Oyada Jinja Mae/大矢田神社前 bus stop (30 min. bus ride)
(Car)
Tokai Hokuriku Expwy Mino IC → West on Route 94 (towards Gifu City)→　Right at “東端” intersection, go straight.

ADDRESS:
2596 Oyada, Mino City, Gifu
〒501-3771
岐阜県美濃市大矢田2596

WORKS CITED:
(1) “大矢田神社 (Oyada Jinja)”. Wikipedia. May 23, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-02.

-Erin T

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Kokeizan Eihoji is a Rinzai Zen Temple located in Tajimi City. People familiar with Buddhism will recognize the Rinzai sect as one of the strictest schools of Zen Buddhism in Japan.

Eihoji was founded in 1313 and two of the buildings are designated as National Treasures. These are the Kannon-do and Kaisan-do.

The construction of the buildings blends Chinese and Japanese architectural styles.

There is a beautiful garden on the premises, which has been designated as a place of national scenic beauty and is open year round.

When crossing the Musaibashi Bridge that leads to the main temple (Kannon-do), you symbolically travel from earth to a place of enlightenment. Once you have crossed the bridge to the Kannon-do, you do not cross back over the bridge, but walk around in order to exit.

There is also a large Gingko tree on the premises that is nearly 700 years old, and is said to have been planted by the temple's founder Buttoku Zenji.

The history and architecture of Kokeizan Eihoji Temple make it a must see for travelers in the Tajimi area, or southern Gifu Prefecture.

Visitors can join Zazen Meditation classes on the 3rd Sunday of every month. Please apply by phone, fax, or email.
[TEL] 0572-22-0351 (in Japan)
[FAX] 0572-22-0091 (in Japan)
[E-mail] info@kokei.or.jp 
[Official Website]

ACCESS:
Take Totetsu Bus from JR Tajimi Station and alight at "Kokeizan" bus stop.

-Webmaster2010

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