Hofu Slow Pottering Old Sanyo Highway / Hagi Okan

Set Brompton "Potter-Kichi" on the rear seat and drove along Route 2 to Hofu City.

Parked my car at the "Umeterasu" parking lot in front of the Hofu Tenmangu Shrine.

Since the 7th century, Hofu played important role in Japanese history.

Wonder how many people hurried past this peaceful town.

Having spent a long time in Hofu Tenmanngu Shrine, started city pottering a bit late.

First, run east the Old Sanyo Highway 

 

From the stone gate, go along the road to the east then turn to the north.
(The old roads have such 90 deg bent design to disturb warriors marching straight.)

Keep going east again for a while

　

the first-order benchmark at that corner

this is the Old Sanyo Highway nowadays

The roof of Suo Kokubunji comes into view

Suo Kokubunji Temple　

Founded in the Nara period (741AD)

It is said that many Buddhist statues designated as important cultural properties are stored in the main hall.

(the museum is closed on Monday)

Footprints of Buddha

go further east

The main shrine in the Suo area - Sawa Shrine

Northwest corner of Suo Kokuga (local government center)

the ground area of the Suo Kokuga was quite large - (about 872 x 872m).

go north from the cross-section

Mohri Garden and Mohri Museum

(Closed on Monday)

Return to the Old Sanyo Highway

An ancient tomb in a private residence...

Tatara Great Buddha Hall

The tourist guide map introduces Todaiji Betsuin Amidaji afar, but this time give it a miss.

Head to Suo Kokuga Ruins

The Chinese characters name of Hofu 防府 is from Suo 周防 (area)+ Kokufu 国府 (center).

Hofu had been the political center of this area from the Nara period (mid-7th century).

Suo Kokuga Ruins

turn back around here

Back on the main street, there's a massive stone monument.

The monument was built for commemorating great contributions to the young samurai fighters, Okamoto San-emon (wealthy merchant) was specially awarded Senior 5th Grade.

Some such people supported the young people of the Meiji Restoration period.

Return to the starting point and head west

Santouka Furusatokan

Taneda Santouka was born in Hofu as a son of a famous Sake brewery.
He dedicated his latter life to "Free Style Short Poetry 5-7-5 syllables", wandering around Japan alone.

Having looked around, chatted with the guide lady on Santouka's Haiku stone monuments in Okagaki and Munakata

- One winter day somewhere in Okagaki,
on his way back to his friend's Temple in Munakata,
Santouka walked alone and begged for charity, holding the iron-made bowl in chilling hand.

Then fell the hail, did hit the bowl. 

This gave him deep insight & enlightenment.

Instant, composed a short poem

"Into the desolate iron bowl
     bliss hail came"
 

To the west of this area, the Hagi Okan and the Old Sanyo Highway overlap.

Sunset is near

I was also interested in the Mitajiri area

but this time put an end in front of JR Hofu Station

Only for a short ride but could have an enjoyable time on each site.

Thanks, Potter-Kichi!  Cheers!