Visible in the background is a small hill of Jizo statues, seen close up in photo 168.
This structure marks a large grove within the Minatogawa shrine compound in which Kusunoki Masanari died in 1336.
This map of the shrine compound is erected near the entrance.
This plaque in front of the tree with the himorogi says that the tree was over 500 years old when it was severely injured by burns received in the bombing of Kobe during WWII. However, even though shattered, it managed to stay alive, and so became revered as a symbol of rebirth and resuscitation. The plaque refers to it as a "divine (kami) tree."
Here shrine priests accompany a local business man to his car after emerging from the shrine's administrative building. Local businesses are often the greatest benefactors of a shrine. No doubt many business leaders believe that their relation to the shrine may help their business to prosper.
This white torii stands on the main pathway of the shrine, about halfway between the main gate and the main shrine hall
One of the paths in Okunoin passes over a stream.
One of the many temple gates on the main street in Koyasan.
View looking eastward across Tiananmen Square to Tiananmen (The Gate of Heavenly Peace), with Mao portrait and signs reading "Long live the Communist Party of China" [left] and "Long Live The Great Unification of the People of the World"
The Miedo, meaning "Hall of the Honorable Portrait," houses an ancient portrait of Kukai, Koyasan's ninth century founder, said to have been painted by his disciple.
This meal includes, on the left tray: tofu made from sesame dressed in wasabi and soy sauce; tempura fried vegetables, noodles in broth and several kinds of pickle. On the right tray is: plate with tofu, pumpkin, lotus root and other vegetables; roasted eggplant basted with a light and a dark miso (fermented soy) paste; tiny mountain vegetables in a vinegar dressing with a dried plum; watermelon. The meal comes with plenty of rice and tea. Sake and beer are also available.
The Great Pagoda (Daito) is the most striking structure within the Garan complex in the western central part of Koyasan. The pagoda stands over 150 feet tall (48.5 meters). These pilgrims, who travel as a group in their white garb and are accompanied by priests in black robes, pray before the entrance of the pagoda toward the huge Buddha images inside.
This temple complex is the headquarters for the Koyasan Shingon denomination. The founder Kukai seems to have built a structure in this location back in the 9th century; the present buiding is only a few centuries old. Next door to the temple is a cluster of more modern looking buildings that houses the administrative center for the denomination, which has branch temples all throughout Japan.
This is the front gate at one of the many temples in Koyasan. Centuries ago there may have been horsecarts or rickshaws inside the courtyard but today we see only cars.
This monument is made of thousands of small statues of the deity Jizo, who specializes in helping the souls of children who died prematurely.
Across the bridge and down the path we can see visitors gathered at the foot of the stairs to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum.
This small shrine on a street corner is typical of many one finds on urban as well as rural streets in Japan.
This is the same mound in other photos viewed here from a distance.
Near the main shrine at Okunoin people stop to pray before, and pour water over, these Buddhist images.
tiananmen Square, including the Mao Mausoleum and Monument to the People's Heroes, seen looking south across Chang An avenue.
