Shimane Prefecture is rarely on the radar for foreign travelers. When it does, it usually conjures up images of the famous Izumo Taisha Shrine and Matsue City with its castle, both located i… Read More

15.00 USDThis is an "Ema". "Ema" are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes. The ema are then left hanging up at the shrine, where the kami (spirits o… Read More

Sho'okuji is a large Soto Zen temple in the castle town of Hiji on Beppu bay in Oita. It isnt one of the Kyushu Pilgrimage temples ( which are all Shingon) but I wanted to stop by to see the… Read More