There are two ways to get to Futarasan, and it's basically the "high road or the low road." The low road, or Shimoshindou (下新道), goes through a pine and cedar forest which looks amazing in the mist:
And there's also a post office and souvenir shop at the start of this road:
The high road, Kamishinmichi (上新道), is lined with stone lanterns:
At the end of the high road is an impressive looking gate, the Roumon (楼門) - I later found out this gate is actually fairly new - built in 1982 to commemorate the 1200 year anniversary of the establishment of the Okumiya (奥宮):
After that, there is a bronze Torii:
This is an administration office - the Shamusho (社務所) - with a cherry tree in full blossom:
I think the cherry blossoms are known as Kawazuzakura (河津桜) - it's hybrid breed with 5 petals of a fairly deep shade of pink:
It was interesting comparing the delicacy of the real flowers with the fake ones:
This is a red lacquered gate - the Shinmon ( (神門):
And this is the Kaguraden stage (神楽殿), used for the Yaotome maiden dance on 2 April:
The Temizusha water house (手水舎):
The main hall - Honden (本殿):
And some auxiliary shrines - this is the Honguu shrine (本宮神社):
The Mitomo shrine (朋友神社):
Inside the Honguu shrine:
One of the sacred swords kept at Futarasan - not exactly sure which one:
The shrines sell little charms called Nikko Daikoku Omamori (日光大国御守) - supposedly brings happiness to the owner:
This is a deity - Tajimamori (田道間守) - that you can pray to and make offerings (wooden box):
There's quite a few red lanterns around the shrines:
At the foot of the mountain are several sacred trees that are worshipped:
Behind the Mitomo shrine is the Futara spiritual spring, supposedly will cure eye disease (as well as making good sake):
And next to this spring is an old tea house called Azumaya where you can drink tea made from water from the sacred spring:
Map of the area:
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Full album on Picasa:
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| [2008-04-13] Japan - Nikko |
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