Here This year will be over in a month.
We will lead busy life in December, for big events such as X’mas and year-end party are packed.
We think many people are going to go on the first temple visit of the New Year, so this time, we would like to introduce our recommend spots that you can enjoy in Miyazu City on New Year’s Day.
Chion-ji Temple(in Miyazu City)
Chion-ji temple located in Amanohashidate, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, is also called “Monju-do”, and it enshrines a Bodhisattva that controls wisdom called ‘Monjubosatsu’.
“Monju” means “Monjubosatsu”, a Bodhisattva that controls wisdom, and it is known as one of the three Monjubosatsu of Japan along with Abe Monju-in Temple located in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, and Kameoka Monju located in Takahata-cho, Yamagata Prefecture.
The proverb says, two heads are better than one.
It is the famous temple where wa are given wisdom, so many examinees and their family visit Chion-ji Temple.
In January, “Tokaebisu festival ”(an annual event in January 10) is held to celebrate the New Year, and the event of gokaicho at which the statue of Monjubosatu is exhibited to the public is a must-see.
There are some events, where good fortune girls called “fukumusume” give lucky stick for good fortune and long life to worshippers and we are greeted with a free drink called amazake.
If you take part in “Tokaebisu festival ”, your wishes for success in business and in studies come true.
Information of Chion-ji Temple(in Miyazu City)
Information of Chion-ji Temple(Miyazu City)
Location: 466 Monju, Miyazu City, Kyoto
Visiting hours: 8:00-17:00(*changes depending on the season)
Entrance fee: Free
Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Amanohashidate Station
small festival on the eve of the main festival: January 9
main festival: January 10
small festival on the end of the main festival: January 11
HP: https://www.monjudo-chionji.jp
The lantern shaped like Wisdom ring
After you visit the main hall at Chion-ji Temple, we want you to go to a landing-place situated to the north of Chion-ji Temple.
There is the lantern that has a distinctive shape like Wisdom ring.
It is said that the lantern was the sign for ships which people in the Edo era boarded at night.
Tradition says that you can be given wisdom from Monjubosatsu if you go through the Wisdom ring three times.
You have to obey the rule,” do not enter the loop”, so some people go around the lantern.
Let’s think hard about another ways for going through the Wisdom ring three times.
Information of The lantern shaped like Wisdom ring
Location: Monju, Miyazu City, Kyoto
Visiting hours: Anytime
Entrance fee: Free
Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Amanohashidate Station
HP: https://www.amanohashidate.jp
Rice cake called “Chie no Mochi”
Will you taste and compare the rice cakes called “Chie no Mochi” that are sold in four stores in front of Chion-ji Temple, after you visit Chion-ji Temple?
If you eat this rice cake, you can be given wisdom from Monjubosatsu, so it is called lucky rice cake.
We briefly introduce the origin of rice cake called “Chie no Mochi”.
An old woman believed in “Monjubosatsu”.
One day Monjubosatsu appeared in front of her, and said that you have to make rice cakes and give them to people who visit Chion-ji temple, so she did as she was told.
There was a bright child who liked the old woman.
When a monk from Daitoku-ji temple in Kyoto visited Chion-ji temple, he met the child and was surprised that the child was very intelligent.
The old woman told him that the child was wise because he always eat the rice cake which she made as Monjubosatsu said.
Therefore, it is said that the rice cake was “Chie no Mochi”.(Chie means wisdom, and Mochi means a rice cake.)
You can taste the rice cakes and enjoy the differences of the sweetness of red beans paste and the softness of rice cake.
Information of Rice cake called “Chie no Mochi”
Location: Monju, Miyazu City, Kyoto(In front of Chion-ji temple)
Visiting hours: changes depending on the stores
Access：About 2 minutes on foot from Amanohashidate Station
HP: https://www.amanohashidate.jp
”Chie no yu” that is an only bathhouse in Miyazu City
Will you go to the hot-spring facility without accommodations for relaxation?
You can take the waters at the Amanohashidate hotspring that is good for the skin at ”Chie no yu”, where is an only bathhouse in Miyazu City, near Amanohashidate Station.
Information of ”Chie no yu” that is the hot-spring facility without accommodations
Location: 640-73 Monju, Miyazu City, Kyoto(Near Amanohashidate Station)
Business hours: 12:00～21:00（last admission 20:00）
Regular closing day: Every Wednesday
Entrance fee: 700yen for adults, 350yen for children below elementary school age.
Access: About 1 minutes on foot from Amanohashidate Station
HP: http://www.viewland.jp/chienoyu
We will introduce the sightseeing spots in Kyoto by the Sea (northern part of Kyoto Prefecture) next time.
Please visit Kyoto by the Sea to enjoy a short trip.
Please check the latest information on the official website before going out.
