{"id":25232,"date":"2017-02-16T13:00:31","date_gmt":"2017-02-16T04:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=25232"},"modified":"2020-11-04T21:11:44","modified_gmt":"2020-11-04T12:11:44","slug":"shizuoka-enshu-shrine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/shizuoka-enshu-shrine\/","title":{"rendered":"Soba, Dango and Visit of the Okuni Jinja Shrine, the \u201cLittle Kyoto\u201d of Enshu"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sponsored by Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While I was traveling in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture (also known asT\u014dt\u014dmi-no-kuni<\/em> \u9060\u6c5f\u56fd or Ensh\u016b<\/em> \u9060\u5dde), I went to visit the Okuni Jinja (\u5c0f\u56fd\u795e\u793e), one of the four main shinto shrines in Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its large path lined with lanterns and its red moon bridge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As it was lunch time, I first looked for a good restaurant.<\/p>\n In Totomi Ichinomiya (\u9060\u6c5f\u4e00\u5bae), the nearest train station to Okuni Jinja Shrine, I discovered a very good soba<\/em> (literally \u201cbuckwheat\u201d) restaurant, ideal for a quick lunch break.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In Japan, soba<\/em> noodles are eaten cold soaked in a sauce or hot in a broth.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n At Momoya (\u767e\u3005\u3084), the soba are homemade with local buckwheat flour! The large dish of soba noodles served with its soy sauce costs \u00a51000. You can also drink good sake and try grilled miso.<\/p>\n After lunch, I went to the Okuni Jinja shrine (10 minutes away by car). This shrine is nicknamed the \u201csmall Kyoto of Ensh\u016b\u201d. Before visiting the shrine, I stopped at Kotomachi Yokocho, a little market located outside the shrine, near the parking lot. I bought two Kushi dango<\/em>, these delicious balls of sticky rice paste (mochi<\/em>) grilled and presented on a skewer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The mochi don\u2019t have much taste, but I am fond of their soft texture and I could choose a dressing. I opted for a skewer of Mitarashi dango<\/em> (the mochi<\/em> are soaked in a soy sauce, sugar an starch syrup, a bit salty) and for a skewer of Goma dango<\/em> (the mochi<\/em> are covered with a sweet black sesame paste). Each one cost me \u00a5150.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oguni Jinja is imbued with mythology. Built in 555, it has survived through the ages to become a very popular place. Japanese tourists come from all over the country to pray for good luck and get married. Before reaching the buildings of the shrine, we crossed a very beautiful alley of cedars (the one lined with stone lanterns) leading from one torii to another.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On the way, a red moon bridge on a pond. The high arch and its reflection form a circle like a moon. So photogenic!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This large stone torii symbolizes the entry into the sacred area of the shrine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nestled in the hollow of the trees, the main building hosts many ceremonies.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To the right of the main alley, a secondary alley leads to a waterfall and a small shrine a little higher up the mountain. A second red moon bridge connects the two shores. Since I came in winter the river was somewhat dried up, but in summer the scenery must be beautiful!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you are traveling by public transport,<\/u><\/strong> take a train on the \u201cTenhama \/ Tenryuu Hamanako Railway Line\u201d (\u5929\u6d5c\u7dda) and get off at \u201cTotoumi Ichinomiya\u201d (\u9060\u6c5f\u4e00\u5bae), the station where the soba restaurant is located. Then, you can either walk 50 minutes if you are sporty, take a taxi, or take one of the few \u201cfree micro bus\u201d connecting the station to the shrine. (For the date, it is limited.)<\/p>\n By car<\/u><\/strong> it\u2019s easier, take the Fukuroi exit\uff08\u888b\u4e95\uff29\uff23\uff09on the Tomei Express highway, then drive 20 minutes (10 minutes to Totomi Ichinomiya station + 10 minutes to the shrine), or take the Mori Kakegawa exit (\u68ee\u639b\u5dddIC) on the New Tomei Express highway, then drive 15 minutes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Need more information? You can find up to date information about Shizuoka\u2019s history, sightseeing locations, accommodations, food, and transportation by clicking on the link below:<\/p>\nLunch Break at Momoya<\/h2>\n
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Dessert at Kotomachi Yokocho<\/h2>\n
Okuni Jinja Shrine<\/h2>\n
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How to Get There<\/h2>\n
SHIZUOKA GUIDE<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n