Showing posts with label takahashi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label takahashi. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

More round windows

hatsu937

Photos of round windows have always been popular when I have posted them before, so here are some recent ones from my collection. 3 earlier posts can be found here

This first one is from a tea room at Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine.

oka9829

This one is from a temple in Takahashi, Okayama Prefecture.

soja6700

From a restaurant on the approach to Hofukuji Temple in Soja, Okayama Prefecture.

hir518

A shop in Hirado Town on Hirado Island in Nagasaki Prefecture.

oda782

An abandoned building in Oda City, Iwami.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The view from the highest castle in Japan

oka9857

Getting up to Bitchu Matsuyama castle, Japan's highest, is not very easy. There is no public transport up the steep road, though you can drive or take a taxi three quarters of the way up, there is still a steep climb to the top. From the bottom allow a good hour to walk up.

oka9856

The view down to Takahashi, about 1,000 feet below is worth the climb though.
Takahashi and its castle doesn't get a lot of visitors as its not on the Shinkansen, but its worth a visit.

oka9858

As well as the castle there are a lot of Edo-period buildings in one section of town and a wonderful zen garden. Nearby is a wonderful Tadao Ando building housing a large art museum. There's lots of signs in English.

oka9860

The rest of Takahashi is a a fairly typical "cookie cutter" Japanese town.

Its located on the JR Hakubi line which connect Okayama City with Yonago, Matsue and Izumo.

oka9874

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The highest castle in Japan


At 430 meters above sea level, situated atop Mount Gagyu in Okayama, is Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, the highest castle in Japan. It overlooks Takahashi, and is also known as Takahashi Castle.


A castle was built here in 1331, but this later castle was built in 1683. It is one of the handful of original castles left in japan, and is the only Yamajiro (mountaintop castle) with a Tenshu (Keep)


After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the castle was abandoned and partially destroyed, but beginning in 1929 sections of the castle and its impressive fortifications have been repaired and restored.


The castle is open daily and there is a 300 yen entrance fee. Unless you are a castle freak, the most impressive thing is the views from the castle, and some of those I will post tomorrow.


The view is worth the climb. More posts on Japanese castles.



Friday, January 22, 2010

What big ears you have!

oka9840

Pairs of fox (kitsune) statues are common throughout Japan, as they are the guardians of Inari shrines. There is a massive diversity of styles and designs, and I have seen some pretty strange ones, but never any with ears like this!

oka9841

They are at a small Inari shrine within the grounds of a temple in Takahashi, Okayama.

oka9762

Friday, December 4, 2009

Round Windows: looking out.

Circular windows are not uniquely Japanese, but they do seem a little more common here traditionally.

kyoto6242
Kennin-Ji, the oldest Zen Temple in Kyoto

4feb4338
The former Wilds Gallery, Omori, Iwami Ginzan

seki1074
Tea room, Chofu gardens, Yamaguchi Pref.

oka9669
Manor House, Takahashi, Okayama.

One weekend one year ago 1620
Park. Asari, near Gotsu