DAY.2
DAY.2 10:00
Pottery workshop at the iconic Shinjo Higashiyama yaki pottery.
Shinjo Higashiyama yaki pottery
The pottery started in 1841 and has been managed by the Wakui family for the 7th generations. The pottery workshop is open to anyone on application. Our visitor from Taiwan planned to make a Tokkuri (sake server) and Choko (small cup) to use when she drinks her favorite sake. She needed help until she got used to working the clay but after that she continue without Mr.Wakui’s help. She was delighted with her original design Tokkuri and choko set.
She was looking around and thinking about what color, what shape and what size of choko and tokkuri she would make.
The master potter, Mr. Wakui, is a kind man who also has a nursery school teacher’s license.
Let’s try! It’s not easy, but it’s fun.
Was this her first time sculpting pottery? She lost track of the time thinking about what she was making.
Voila! These are her original choko and tokkuri. What a pretty ultramarine color!
Shinjo Higashiyama yaki pottery
［Address］
1441-1 Kanazawa, Shinjo
［Tel］
0233-22-3122
［Open］
9:00-15:00 ( Appointments are needed to make pottery outside of usual business hours.)
［Holidays］
Year-end / New Year holidays
［Charge］
1kg 1500 yen～
DAY.2 12:00
Goshuin girl in Shinjo ( Shuin are scarlet temple stamps)
Shinjo Seiten Enmanji temple ( Chizan school of Shingon sects)
Our young lady was interested in getting a Goshuin and visited the Enmanji temple.
The carved figures of Tachiki Kannon Buddha and Ichiboku Fudo( Akala, one of five wise kings) welcome people to Enmanji temple. Surprisingly, these figures were cut by chainsaw. The traditional thatched roofs of Sanmon gate, Raijin-do hall and Awajima-do hall, exudes historical Shinjo.
Individual Buddhist shojin ryori (set vegetarian meals) can be ordered by calling in advance. She was pleased to get a Goshuin at Enmanji.
Remember to say a prayer first! She was headed for the temple to get a red ink stamp.
She expressed her gratitude for a great trip and wished for continued good luck on her journey.
She asked about the origin of the red ink stamp and got more information about various things through her conversation.
Important cultural property assets.
Goshuin usually include the most important characteristics of each temple.
Shinjo Seiten Enmanji temple ( Chizan sect of Shingon school)
DAY.2 13:00
Eat. Buy. Feel. A little restaurant
Mushroom Stand Funagata
Mushroom Stand Funagata, a mushroom restaurant/shop located in Wakaayu serves burgers, pizzas, and lasagna.Dishes crammed with mushrooms and a;so sells fresh mushrooms direct from the farm. The most popular choice on the menu is Mushrooms all- you- can- eat!!
This is a modern facility quality that specializes in the cultivation of mushrooms.
You can enjoy exquisite mushroom dishes, shop for local products andsavor the aroma of coffee in a congenial log house surrounded by lush green leaves in summer and heavy snow in winter.
A log house restaurant.
Did you know that only common mushrooms can be eaten raw!
A hearty mushroom pizza with special dough.
Mushroom and exquisite napolitan are a great combination. (Japanese favor spaghetti with tomato sauce)
Rich textured potage with sliced raw mushroom as a garnish. You won’t be able to help trying it right away.
Mushroom Stand Funagata
［Address］
2791-1 Mukouyama, Funagata, Funagatamachi, Mogamigun, Yamagata
［Tel］
0233-32-0733
［Open］
9:00-18:00 (Winter 9:00- 16:00)
Lunch 11:00-14:00
［Holidays］
Wednesdays
DAY.2 14:30
Exceptional permission granted for the visitor to see mushroom cultivation area.
Funagata Mushrooms
The wonderful Funagata branded mushrooms are grown in building right next to the restaurant.
Funagata is located on the Ogunigawa, the tributary of Mogami River.
The mild wind occasionally blows across the area of gentle countryside.
Visitors are usually not allowed to enter the mushroom cultivation houses, but she was very interested to see how the beautiful mushrooms she had just eaten are cultivated.
Huge mushrooms cultivated in long rows!
The young lady tried a fresh brown mushroom raw.
Somehow white mushrooms are adorable.
Kawaii! (Cute!) She was into taking photos.
Pruning is an important process for growing jumbo mushrooms.
Funagata Mushrooms
［Address］
2791-1 Mukouyama, Funagata, Funagatamachi, Mogamigun, Yamagata
［Tel］
0233-32-8064
［Open］
8:00-17:00
［Holidays］
Open everyday
［URL］
DAY.2 15:30
The last sacred place of the 33 temples of Mogami Kannon Pilgrimage
Niwatsuki Sangetsuzo-in temple Niwatsuki Kannon
The Niwatsuki Kannon ( officaially called Niwatsuki Sangetsuzo-in ) in Sakegawa is a temple of the Tendai Sect, it is the last stop on the 33 temples of Mogami Kannon Pilgrimage. In the Hondo hall there are various items on display including oizuru : a sleeveless haori( short kimono coat ), and kongozue ( a big walking stick used by a mountain priests).
Every year, the largest Buddhist lantern-floating event is held in front of the temple on 18th August. Residents love this event as one of the special charms of summer on the Sakegawa river.
She passed through the “Okagesama Gate” to view the Sakegawa river flowing solemnly by. The origin of the Okagesama gate’s name: The previous temple master was severely ill and prayed to the Kannon Buddha for a cure. His doctor told him that he would probably not get well again, however he completely recovered and survived for another 30 years. The name of the Okagesama gate came from his great gratitude.
She rang the bell and the beautiful vibration went all through her body.
She entered the Hon-do hall, then prayed.
The temple master told her heartwarming family stories about the *Mukasari- Ema lined up on the wall.
The red ink stamp was written with smooth strokes of his brush. This temple is the last on the 33-temple Mogami Kannon Pilgrimage.
Niwatsuki Sangetsuzo-in temple Niwatsuki Kannon
DAY.2 18:00
Legacy of the oldest ryokan in Yamagata
Kishiro
It is said that Kishiro is the oldest ryokan building in Yamagata. It is known as a palace type hot-spring and the layoutof the building is intentionally complicated, retaining a number of historical features and decorations. The young lady commented that she had never been in such a comfusing ryokan. She found the ryokan without assistance and made a reservation to stay there. She was excited to experience a roman sennin-buro and the nostalgic sound of creaking hallway floorboards!
Entering from the annex, you feel like you are stepping back in time.
The sound of creaking hallway floorboards doesn’t mean poor construction. It was a warning sound to protect the lord from intruders.
Classic Japanese tatami room. She was so excited about the kotatsu (a small table with an electric heater underneath, covered by a quilt).
She was more than satisfied with local ayu sweetfish and Yamagata’s signature imoni (taro soup). A big smile for these traditional Japanese dishes.
She was delighted to find a real roman sennin-buro.