A trip to Kurashiki and Okayama Cities

Okayama Prefecture is called "Land of Sunshine" for its mild climate and sunny skies

typical of the Seto Inland Sea region.

I had an overnight trip to Kurashiki and Okayama cities in the south-west part 

of the prefecture with my son and his daughter.

Unfortunately my husband stayed home because of a cold he had.

In Kurashiki City, we spent most of the time in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter,

the old merchants quarter,

where the city's former canal system and about 400-year-old buildings have been preserved.

The canal area dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867), when the city served

as an important rice distribution center to Edo and Osaka.

Weeping willows and original storehouses line the canal and the stone bridges 

cross over the canal water.

There are sightseeing riverboats in operation.

There are narrow lanes from the main roads along the river.

The distinctive feature of the architecture is white walls and black tiles.

One block away from the canal, Storehouse Shopping Street runs parallel to the canal.

The historic townhousese are repurposed as cafes and restaurants, boutiques, 

souvenir shops as well as specialty shops including canvas (Kurashiki Canvas),

jeans, sake, and others.

Kurashiki is the birthplace of domestically produced jeans.

After a round trip of the quarter, we returned to the starting place.

The Seto Inland Sea is dotted with many small islands.

Right after the sunset, the sea turned into mellow oranges.

In Okayama City, we walked through Korakuen Garden to Okayama Castle.

Okayama Castle is called "Ujo 烏城 Crow Castle" for its black exterior.

It is in stark contrast to the white Himeji Castle, or "Shirasagi-jo 白鷺城 Egret Castle."

(White Egret in the sea of Sakura)

The original castle was built in 1597 during the Warring States period and was destroyed 

by fire almost completely during the WWII.

Reconstruction was made in 1966 and then major renovation was completed in 2022.

That's why the castle stands shiny.

The appealing points of the southern Okayama is historical towns and

the beautiful seascape of the Seto Inland Sea.

Okayama is also known as "Kingdom of Fruits".

White peaches, muscats, piones are special products grown there.

While I prefer raw fruits, fruit parfait served with ice cream, sauce, and others

 tastes exquisite.

I also like to see the ingredients artistically arranged in layers.

Center; the view of Koraku-en Garden and Okayama City beyond the castle moat,

Seto Ohashi Bridge, and the seascape 

Okayama Prefecture Official Tourism Guide

Websiste of sightseeing in Kurashiki

Linked to Mosaic Monday

Takisaka-no-Michi Path

Takisaka-no-michi path is the former half of 21-kilomiter Yagyu Highway connecting Takabatake-cho, Nara City and Yagyu, a village of master swordsmen, the Yagyu family. As it name shows, "taki" for "waterfall" and "saka" for "slope", the path consists of quite steep slopes running along a river lined with large, aged trees between the two mountains, Mt. Kasuga and Mt. Takamado.

It is said to have been a training path for Shugendo since late 8th century. Shugendo is Japanese mountain asceticism incorporating Shinto and Buddhism concepts. Much later in Edo period (1603-1867), it was a commuting path for those who learned the art of Yagyu swordsmanship.

My husband and I travelled several times including this walk in 2017. Each time I felt like that the past travelers footsteps echoing.  

The path is quite an ascent right after the start from Nara Park area. It is mostly cobblestone path formed of irregularly-shaped stones, which is a relic of road repair operation undertaken by Nara Magistrate when the head of the Yagyu clan, Kendo (Japanese fencing) instructor to the Tokugawa Shogunate, was promoted to Daimyo (feudal lord) in 1636. It was the only road connecting Yagyu and Nara.

Hard climbing can be eased by the murmuring of a stream and the rustling of leaves in the dappled shadow 

of lush green.

A fallen tree stood in our way.

Wisterias grow wild, stretching and winding their vines.

After a while, stone Buddha images begin to appear, some beside the trail and others higher up on the mountainsides. They served as objects of worship for mountain Buddhism, and silent protectors for travelers, as well. The Asahi (Sunrise) Kannon, carved into a rock overhanging the trail, catches the first rays of the morning sun from the top of Mt. Takamado.

”Kubikiri Jizo" meaning "decapitated Jizo" has its name due to the cut in the neck. Legend has said that Mataemon Araki, a disciple of swordsman Jyube Yagyuu, tried out the sharpness of his new Japanese sword. (Jizo Buddhistava is a guardian of trevellers as well as children.) Around this stone Buddha image is called "Jigokudani", Hell Valley.

 In spite of the name of the place, it's really a serene, beautiful place.

Having enough rest, my husband and I returned from this place, going down carefully the wet slippery stone path.  Edge of the path was also slippery because of the piled-up fallen leaves.

Takabatake, where Takisaka-no-michi starts, is one of the oldest residential areas, where people who worked for the Kasuga Grand Shrine used to live. Along the road which we took our way to the nearest bus stop, the houses are traditional Japanese ones including grand mansions to protect the scenery of the historic area.

Bottom right is a popular buckwheat noodle restaurant 観 Kwan across the road from the bus stop

Linked to Mosaic Monday