This is a great course with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. And loads of history thrown-in. Can be completed on any form of transport but, if you really want to appreciate the surroundings, I suggest on foot or bike.
My bus, after slipping-and-sliding it's way up the valley, dropped me off at the Deaibashi Bridge where the Nakatsugawa & Kamogawa Rivers converge. Then, after shooting some video and taking a few photos, I was off on my journey.
And this is what greeted me - snow, snow and more snow. After a few meters I was getting an idea of what I was in for.
Itsukushima-jinja Shrine.
My stop of the day was Itsukushima-jinja. A shrine was established here at the same time as the settlement of Kumogahata - during the Heian Period - and the area soon became famous for supplying lumber for the construction of the new capitol.
My first hill-climb of the day wasn't far away and, because of the icy conditions, I needed to take care where I trod. The Mochikoshi Pass offered me great views overlooking the settlement I had just left |
The settlement of Mayumi was my next destination and it was the Seisui-ji Temple and Mayumihachimangu Shrine I was in search of.
Seisui-ji
If the snow covering Kumogahata was a pain, then Mayumi was totally blanketed, and trying to make my way round Seisui-ji was near impossible. It was up to my knees so, needless-to-say, I didn't hang around for long. But there was a small shed that housed an interesting set of Jizo statues.
Mayumihachimangu.
Just a stone-throw away from Seisui-ji was Mayumihachimangu and it's location couldn't be more isolated or in a more serene site. It was very beautiful and, if it wasn't for all the snow, I would have stayed longer. I was planning on taking my first food break of the day here.
More snow, more ice, more great scenery, another junction, and another settlement. This time - Sugisaka.
Tofu-jinja.
Founded in 920AD, Tofu-jinja is steeped in history. Ono-no Tofu, the ancient Japanese calligrapher, is enshrined here as it's Deity. In ancient times the water from this shrine was used by the Imperial Family for their rituals and studies.
For the next 3km, until my next shrine, I was to experience more of my surroundings and the sights that beheld me. At no stage was I getting bored as I was in awe of what surrounded me.
Himuro-jinja.
Like Itsukushima-jinja and Tofu-jinja, Himuro-jinja is also steeped in history. Himuro literally means ''Ice House'. It is a tradition that commenced way back in ancient times as a means to preserve ice, that was formed in the winter, to be used in the summer. It was basically an ancient refrigerator. The ice, once collected, was wrapped in straw and stored in 3m deep roofed pits. The ice was used exclusively in the Imperial Palace.
Back onto route-31 and my final descent into Kyoto City. As I emerged from the forest, I was greeted with this magnificent sight. The city was directly below me - about 300m below me, to be precise - but it was this view of Hieizan (Mt Hiei) that captivated me.
One more piece of local history before I reached the confines of Kyoto City. Kyomi-toge (Kyomi Pass) is the sight where, back in 1336, the army of Emperor Godaigo, who was forced to flee the city, clashed with the forces of Ashikaga and, before they entered the city, camped here. The building, the Kyomi Toge Tea House, was built more than 400-years ago. |
| This is my video of the days outing. |
This link is the course details with points-of-interest and images.
I want to acknowledge the guys at 'Trans-word+' for allowing me access to gather information for this post.