I visited Mishima Taisha in January. Although the winter scenery felt a little subdued, the shape of the branches made it easy to imagine how spectacular it must be when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
As an important center of faith in the Izu area, the shrine was steadily busy on Saturday morning, but it didn't have the noisiness of a typical tourist attraction. Most of the visitors seemed to be locals coming with their families for Hatsumode, and there was still a strong New Year's atmosphere in the air.
Mishima Taisha | Review by 金己田
Other Reviews by 金己田
-
Ishiyamadera Temple
This is the head temple of the Shingon school on the bank of the Seta River, which flows from Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. There are strange rocks erected all over the precincts, including the large rock towering in front of the Hondo (main shrine).
I visited Ishiyamadera Temple on a cloudy day after the rain. There were no cherry blossoms or fall colors at the time, and not many worshippers either, which made walking along the approach especially atmospheric.
The temple is built along the mountainside, and the view of the main hall set among the massive rocks feels both harmonious and almost sculpted by nature. Writing in a setting like this would surely inspire even more creativity! -
-
Tsuetate Onsen
Tsuetate Onsen, nestled along the Tsuetate River in Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, is known as Kyushu's inner parlor. Its history dates back 1,800 years, with legends tracing its origin to being the first bath for the child who would become Emperor Ojin. The waters here are a mix of weak alkaline simple springs and chloride springs. They are also rich in metasilicic acid, which enhances the therapeutic effects of the hot springs, leaving the skin smooth and moisturized after bathing.
If I hadn’t received a stay voucher from Hizenya, I probably still wouldn’t know about Tsuetate Onsen. Tucked away in a valley on the border of Kumamoto and Oita, it feels like a hidden world of its own compared with nearby, better-known Kurokawa Onsen.
While exploring the hot spring town, I was warmly greeted by locals, which really gave me a sense of the heartfelt charm you only find in rural Japan. There wasn’t even a hint of commercialism on the streets. Spending a night here felt like pure peace and tranquility. If you’re looking for a slow-paced hot spring getaway, Tsuetate Onsen is definitely the right choice! -
-
Nakatanido
The lively shout of "Haiyo!" kicks off the action, followed by the rhythmic "pachi, pachi!" of pounding mochi echoing through the air. As the pace intensifies dramatically, the crowd erupts into cheers. Famous for its lightning-fast mochi pounding performances, Nakatanido is not just putting on a show-it's showcasing a traditional technique from the owner's hometown of Kamikitayama Village in Nara Prefecture, which produces exceptionally soft and chewy mochi.
Even in the rain, there were still quite a few tourists gathered outside the shop to watch Nakatanido’s high-speed mochi pounding. I was drawn in by the lively shouts too and went over to take a look.
The whole process was really fun and felt almost like being at a festival. In the end, I bought one to try. It was still warm and freshly made, and the soybean flour aroma spread the moment I took a bite. The soft, pillowy texture was absolutely memorable. -
