Miyachidake-Shrine and Inner Shrines

 

New Year holidays made me lazy, and to revitalize my body needed some exercise.

The stone steps of Miyachidake Shrine and the small hill walk around the Okuno-Miya (Inner Shrines) should suffice.

There might not be so many visitors, after the new year days,

But faced an unexpected traffic jam, just before the shrine way.

Somehow managed to park in a temporary parking lot, a bit far from the shrine.

Visitors are scarce, and the stone steps were easy to step up.

Climbed non-stop to the top

Anyhow, the stone steps were tough for the old bastard.

The sky looked vague -for "yellow sands" or "PM2.5"?

The photo spot - "Path of Sunray"- is blurred.

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From around the top of the stone steps, there was a long queue of people waiting for the New Year worship. 

My purpose is for the exercise, so walked direct to the side of the Main Worship Hall and headed to the Inner shrines.

Quite a few people were offering devout prayers

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Along the road, two cherry trees start blooming beautifully from mid to late January every year.

Bamboo canes were prepared at the entrance to Okuno-Miya (Inner Shrine) but thought it would be fine, so proceeded without borrowing one.

Unlike the main Miyajidake Shrine, only a few people pilgrimage there.

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the 2nd - Inari Shrine - supports foods and rice

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the 1st - Shichifuku (seven lucky deities) Shrine - bring fortune

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Lively flags line up

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The strong power spot where Fudoson is enshrined within the ancient tombstone chamber - one of the largest stone chamber structures in Japan.

Visitors after worship are reading the zodiac lottery with a serious look

the 3rd - Fudo Shrine - avoid disaster and malefic issue

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the 2nd - Inari Shrine　

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the 5th - Koi (love) no Miya - protect lady's mental and health problem

Full of heart-shaped paper with handwritten wishes.

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the 6th - Sanbo Kojin - fire & kitchen 

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the 7th - Water shrine - water-related

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the 8th - Yakushi Shrine - illness & medication

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Ah, I forgot the 4th shrine, Man-Jizoson - childcare

Give it a miss this time.

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No more bustling in the precincts - for the late afternoon.

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Sound of a quick drum ...

was playing a monkey show

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Time to head back.

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On the way back, walked down a slope.

Bought freshly baked Matsugae mochi (rice cake with sweet bean paste)

Just good for handwarmer.




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