On the last day of my trip, I visited Niigata’s guardian shrine, Hakusan Shrine. As soon as I stepped inside, I was drawn to the colorful flower water basin.
After praying at the main hall, I was blown away by all the unique omamori charms and goshuin—so many to look at.
Hakusan Shrine is known for blessings like business success, good relationships, and safe childbirth. I walked past the matchmaking wall covered in ema plaques and made my way to a sacred stone called the “Hakusan Kukuri Stone.”
They say if you touch it, you can receive Hakusan’s energy. The moment I did, a gust of wind suddenly blew through, and the pinwheels on both sides started spinning. It felt like I connected with nature for a second—and it was such a magical way to end the trip.
Niigata Soshinju Hakusan Shrine | Review by 金己田
Other Reviews by 金己田
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Eizan Cable and Eizan Ropeway
Enjoy breathtaking views and easy connection from the ropeway and cable car that take you to the summit of Mt. Hiei from Yase in Kyoto.
The most enjoyable way to get from Kyoto to Mt. Hiei is via the Eizan Railway. Starting at Demachiyanagi Station, take the Hiei sightseeing train to Yase, then walk to the Eizan Cable station. The cable car climbs steadily up the mountainside, reaching the ropeway station in about 9 minutes. From there, transfer to the ropeway for the ride to the summit of Mt. Hiei.
Getting to Enryakuji requires several transfers, but the whole journey feels like a fun adventure with a variety of transportation along the way. I especially loved the Eizan Railway’s deep green and gold color scheme—it looks sophisticated and stylish.
Since I was heading to Shiga for more sightseeing after coming down the mountain, I bought the Mt. Hiei Free Pass. It didn’t save me much money, but the convenience made it worthwhile. One pass made the entire trip seamless. -
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Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park
Located in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park is a breathtaking viewpoint that overlooks Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views. Situated on the slopes of Mt. Nariai at an altitude of 130 meters, the park is easily accessible via the Amanohashidate Cable Car or lift from Fuchu Station.
Amanohashidate has two famous observation decks. While researching beforehand, I thought the view from View Land looked closer to how I had imagined Amanohashidate. However, since my transportation pass included the cable car fare to Kasamatsu Park, I started my first visit here.
From the observation deck, Amanohashidate stretches straight across the water. From this angle, the view is known as the “Rising Dragon View” because the sandbar looks like a dragon soaring into the sky.
Kasamatsu Park was less crowded than expected. There are several platforms for viewing Amanohashidate upside down between your legs, so there was basically no wait. There’s also a shop next to the cable car station where you can browse before heading back down. -
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Tsu Station
A major station on the JR Central Kisei Main Line, located in the center of Tsu City, the capital of Mie Prefecture. In addition to JR, it is also a transportation hub served by the Kintetsu Nagoya Line and the Ise Railway Ise Line. With multiple rail lines converging here, it plays an important role in supporting efficient travel within the prefecture and beyond.
Since I was visiting Ise Jingu, I decided to stay near Tsu Station and used the station several times over a few days. Tsu Station serves both Kintetsu and JR and is medium-sized. Most of the shops inside are restaurants, but there’s also a drugstore and a 100-yen shop. The convenience store near the Kintetsu ticket gates sells milk and tea drinks exclusive to Mie, so don’t forget to grab a bottle before heading to the platform!
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