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5 shrines and 1 temple from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day

Fujiko M.

by Fujiko M.

(30 reviews)

Last updated : Feb 24, 2023・4 min read

Happy New Year 2016!

Starting from Kokubunji temple in Mano - Ringing temple bells 108 times to cast away earthly desires before the new year.

At around 11:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve, people come to Kokubunji temple to toll temple bell to cast away sins of the year and pray for the happiness of the coming year. This event is called "Joya-no-kane" meaning the night to remove the year's evil.

Next, I headed to Hiyoshi Shrine in Niibo for the first shrine visit in 2016.

After watching popular singing competition program, locals visit this shrine just around midnight of Jan. 1, 2016.

Luckily, I visited this shrine with my close friends.

Then, I visited Ushio Shrine, one of my favorite shrines in Sado, located in Katagami.

This shrine has more than 1000 years of history and famous for its elaborate carving.

The successor of the shrine priest is standing next to Ema tablets on which worshippers wrote their wishes.

Main hall of Ushio Shrine

The half moon and the stars shone brightly overhead. It was really a beautiful night!

After taking a few hours sleep...

The third shrine - Kihi Shrine (without a picture)

I visited Kihi Shrine in my community first thing in the morning.

Next destination? - Sado Gold Mine on New Year's Day

Kadomatsu decorations welcome guests at Sado Gold Mine.

Fourth Shrine - Takato Shrine on the foot of Doyu-no-Warito (sunken outcrop of Doyu)

Takato Oshima, director of the Sado Mine bureau in Meiji era, is enshrined here.

He was revered by his efforts to expand mining operation with the introduction of Western technologies of that time.

He is now quietly looking down Aikawa town as a guardian.

Sado Gold Mine is now on the tentative list of Japan's World Heritage candidate sites and aims to win the Japanese government's recommendation for the World Heritge this year.

Doyu-no-Warito from the Takato Park.

You can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms in April with the Doyu-no-Warito in the background.

Now, I'm heading to Shukunegi, but...Kite!

A child and a mom are flying a kite on the Sawane beach, quite a rare scene!

Shukunegi on New Year's Day!

Finally I arrived at Shukunegi to visit Hakusan shrine, 5th shrines for me in a day!

The goddess in charge of marine safty is enshrined here because the village once prospered as a base of Japanese style sailing ships.

I've never visited so many shrines (and a temple) in a day before, but I truly enjoyed this small pilgrimage on New Year's Day!

Have you had a wonderful New Year's Day?

There is a maxim in Japan, " Ichinen no keiha gantan ni ari." How you spend New Year's Day represents the whole year.

I guess I'm going to be quite busy this year moving around?? You'll see.

Did you like my article?

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Fujiko M.

Fujiko M.

4.97 / 5

(30 reviews)

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Tours By Fujiko M.

Shukunegi - the village of sengokubune, sailingship of Edo eracover image

Shukunegi - the village of sengokubune, sailingship of Edo era

This small coastal village once prospered as the center of shipbuilding industry during the Edo era. After the Meiji Restoration, the industry fell into decline due to the overall Westernization and the development of other transportation networks like railways. The village was once almost forgotten. However, the descendants stood up to restore the legacy of their ancesters and have been working hard to keep it. Building the exact replica of the old Edo-era sailing ship shows their enthusiasm and solidarity. In this tour, we stroll in the village, visiting one of the ship owner's house called "Seikuro" which is open to the public. You can see the skillfully built houses by ship carpenters. Then we visit Sado-koku Ogi Folk Museum which houses the exact replica of the old sengokubune ship called "Hakusan-maru", thousands of folkcrafts, household utensils, ship carpenters tools and more. Shukunegi was registered as the district of the Groups of Traditional Buildings. Once you step inside, you are in the maze of Edo era. * Special notice: "Seikuro" will be closed until Mar.31 Sado-koku Ogi Folk Museum will be closed on Mondays until March, 2016 Also closed from Dec.29 - Jan.3 for new year holidays. *Special choice: If some of the facilities are closed, we can go to Iwayasan Cove nearby to see 88 stone statues for a short pilgrimage.

FROM$53/ per group

Japan Tour Guide - Fujiko M.

Sado Gold and Silver Mine: Relics tell you 400 years of historycover image

Sado Gold and Silver Mine: Relics tell you 400 years of history

Sado has been well known as one of the major gold and silver production sites in Japan. It has the history of 1000 years. There are four major minig sites in Sado: Nishimikawa alluvial gold mine, Tsurushi silver mine, Niibo silver mine and Sado (Aikawa) gold and silver mine. Sado gold and silver mine was the biggest of all with 400 years of history. Mining in Aikawa started in the late 16th century and was halted in 1989. In this tour, we first visit Sado Gold and Silver Mine Museum, where we enter the Sodayu tunnel which is open to the public. The Sodayu tunnel was dug manually by thousands of mine workers during the Edo period. You can see the whole process of gold and silver production at that time. Then we see some old buildings and a relic built from Meiji to Showa era. These buildings were used to crush, store and smelt ores. Next, we visit the graveyard of Mushuku-nin(people without register) brought in from Edo and Osaka to work as drainage workers. Then, we walk down the street called Kyomachi-dori, once bustled with mine workers, government officials and towns people. Kyomachi-dori street linked Sado Magistrate Office to mining sites. Aikawa town was developed and divided into communities with same occupation. Along the way, we see old buildings, workshops, local grocery store and cafes. We walk past old bell tower, Sado Hanga-mura Museum(print museum) originally built as a district court and Sado Magistrate Office. Finally, we visit Kitazawa area, developed from Meiji to Showa era with modern Western mining technologies to produce gold and silver effectively. Ruined factories, thermal power plant and a 50-meter thickener have remained. Sado Gold and Silver Mine has practiced cutting-edge production methods of each era and you can see the authenticity here in Aikawa. FYI, walking distance is about 3 kilometers.

FROM$73/ per group

Japan Tour Guide - Fujiko M.

Hina Doll Festival in Aikawa (seasonal tour in Sado From Mar.3 to Mar.20)cover image

Hina Doll Festival in Aikawa (seasonal tour in Sado From Mar.3 to Mar.20)

Mar. 3rd is "Girl's day" called Hina Matsuri (dolls festival) in Japan. Households with girls display their Hina Dolls to pray for the happiness and healthy growth of their children. Aikawa town in Sado prospered from the beginning of the 17th century to the late 20th century along with the development of Sado Gold and Silver Mine. People of many kinds of professions moved to Aikawa from many parts of Japan to make a fortune and brought in colorful cultures and traditions which led to create an unique Sado culture and tradition. During this time of year, hotels, sightseeing spots, cafes, shops and even private homes exhibit their Hina Dolls for the public and visitors can enjoy walking in the town admiring dolls from different eras. In this tour, we walk around Aikawa town and visit places where Hina Dolls are displayed. With diverse historical backgrounds, there are many kinds of Hina Dolls in Aikawa, some of them from the Edo period or older, the others are made by modern craftsmen. FYI, No.1 At some hotels and restaurants, you can enjoy special "Hina Doll Festival" lunch. No.2 This is a walking tour in Aikawa, but some of the places are accessible by taxi.

FROM$33/ per person

Japan Tour Guide - Fujiko M.

Niigata City one day tour of your choicescover image

Niigata City one day tour of your choices

Located on the Japan sea side of mainland Honshu, about 2 hours bullet train ride from Tokyo, Niigata city has been flourished as one of the major port towns for centuries. Along with this historical background, Niigata city is now well known for delicious "koshihikari" rice, varieties of tasty sake, fresh products from both land and sea. In this tour, you can choose 3 or 4 places to visit for 7-hour sightseeing tour. We mainly use public transportation networks like Niigata city loopline bus service ( one-day ticket JPY 500 ) and taxi if necessary. The places of choices are as follows: 1. Niigata City Aquarium "Marinepia Nihonkai" Displaying both marine and fresh water fish in the region and aquatic animals. Dolphin shows are performed daily. JPY 1500 Closed from Dec.29-Jan.1, Mar.3,4 2. Pia Bandai Fish and vegatable market with restaurants popular for locals and tourists. 3. "Imayotsukasa" sake brewery There is a guided tour and you can sample tasty sake. 4. The Niigata Saito Villa Built about 100 years ago, this gorgeous villa and Japanese style garden attracts visitors all year round. JPY 300 Closed on Mondays, from Dec.28-Jan.3 5. Minatopia with Former Niigata Customs House There are also Former Daishi Bank building and Niigata City History Museum by the Shinano River. 6. Former Ozawa Family Residence Authentic machiya-style house with beautiful garden from the Meiji Period. JPY 200 Closed on Mondays, from Dec.28-Jan.3 7. Honcho Market Located on the bustling Furumachi ( old town ) district, vendors sell all kinds of food with reasonable prices. * vendors are less on Sundays 8. Strolling Furumachi district for 1 hour Furumachi was once known as geigi (geisha) district like Kyoto and there are many restaurants, temples, old and new buildings in this area. * you can combine this choice with the Saito Villa or/and the Ozawa Residence (both in Furumachi district). Please choose places you'd like to visit and email me. Let's have fun in Niigata city!

FROM$165/ per group

Japan Tour Guide - Fujiko M.

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