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The charms of the Shinano-kokubunji temple(Ueda ci

The charms of the Shinano-kokubunji temple(Ueda city, Nagano) is not only its stunning lotus pond(previous posts).
It boasts 1300- year history and is truly loved by the neighborhood!

One of the higlights is three-story pagoda designated as an important cultural asset of Japan. It is said that the pagoda was built around 15th century.

Also, you can strike the bell in the bell tower. (I did!)

The main hall for worship built in 1869 is also admirable. Inside the main hall, you can buy Somin Shorai Fu (蘇民将来符)
It is a lucky charm based on a folk belief in Japan. The Somin Shorai charm is made of woods or paper, and usually distributed on January seventh and eighth at temples in Japan. The designs vary at each temple. The one of this temple is famous, because the charms are still made by supporting member families of the temple. Historically, the charm is designed and made by Somin-Koo which is an organization formed by local peasants and then handed to the monks in order to get prayed. In the old times, peasants had made it in winter when they had nothing to do on their agricultural fields.

Last but not least, the greatest charm of the Shinano-Kokubunji temple has been loved and supported by the neighborhood for more than 1000 years!

上田市にある信濃国分寺の魅力は、その見事な蓮池（過去記事）だけではありません。
1300年の歴史を誇り、地域の皆さんに愛されているところだと思います。

ハイライトの一つは国の重要文化財に指定されている三重塔です。この塔は15世紀頃に建てられたと言われています。

また、鐘楼では鐘を打つことができます。(やってみました！)

また、1869年に建てられたご本堂もとても立派です。ご本堂の中では、蘇民将来符を買うことができます。
蘇民将来符は、日本の民間信仰に基づく縁起物で、木や紙で作られており、通常、1月7日と8日に日本の寺院で配布されます。デザインはお寺によって異なります。このお寺のお守りは有名ですが、それは今でもお寺に縁のあるご家族がお守りを作っているからなのです。歴史的には、お百姓さん達が集まって作った組織である蘇民将来講がデザインしたお守りを、僧侶に渡して祈祷してもらっていたそうです。その昔、冬の農閑期にこのお守りを作っていたそうです。

信濃国分寺の一番の魅力は、1000年以上もの間、地域の人々に愛され、支えられてきたことです！

#信濃国分寺 #上田市 #長野#夏休み #temple #neighborhood #neighborhoodjapan #local #community #history#culture #travel #travelphotography #karuizawalife #slowlife #dailylife #enjoylife#nagano #japan #japanguide #japanexhibition #myfavorite #japantravel #japantravelphoto #japantravelguide #visitjapan #privateguide #travelgram #privatetour #enjoymyjapan

More photos of lotus flowers at Shinano Kokubunji

More photos of lotus flowers at Shinano Kokubunji temple!

#蓮 #蓮の花 #お花 #花 #夏#長野 #上田市 #lotus #flowers #flowerlovers #flowerphotography #flowerstagram #summer #ueda #nagano #karuizawalife #slowlife #dailylife #enjoylife #japan #japanguide #japanexhibition #temple #myfavorite #japantravel #japantravelphoto #japantravelguide #visitjapan #privateguide #privatetour

Visited Shinano Kokubunji temple in Ueda city, Nag

Visited Shinano Kokubunji temple in Ueda city, Nagano to see beautifully blooming lotus flowers!

The lotus field at Shinano Kokubunji Temple began in 2004, when a local farmer kindly rented a 660m2 paddy field behind the main hall (north side) and planted lotus seedlings that the priest had been growing in his pots.

Currently, the area where the lotus is blooming is about 2,310 m2.

Since 2005, more than 50 volunteers from the neighborhood have been good taking care of the flowers.

Today I found that the members of the volunteer group were selling lotus seeds in the temple’s precinct. So I bought twenty seeds! Hope I can see beautiful lotus flowers at my house next summer!🤞

今日は信濃国分寺で美しい蓮の花を見てきました❣️もともとは農家の方から借りた田圃にご住職が鉢で育てていらした蓮の花を育てたのが始まりだそうです。今では700坪の広さの蓮池となっていて、お手入れは地元のボランティアの方々がなさっているそうです。そしてこの蓮池のお花から取れた種が売っていたので、20個ほど買ってみました！上手く発芽して、来年は我が家で蓮の花が見られるといいな❣️

#蓮 #蓮の花 #お花 #花 #夏#長野 #上田市 #lotus #flowers #flowerlovers #flowerphotography #flowerstagram #summer #ueda #nagano #karuizawalife #slowlife #dailylife #enjoylife #japan #japanguide #japanexhibition #temple #myfavorite #japantravel #japantravelphoto #japantravelguide #visitjapan #privateguide #privatetour

We saw many friends in our garden today! Do you li

We saw many friends in our garden today!
Do you like them? Hope you like my friends!😊

今日は色んなお友達に会う日でした！

#軽井沢 #友達 #自然#夏 #夏休み#セミ #カブトムシ #karuizawa #karuizawalife #nagano #japan #cicada #beetle #summer #vacation #holiday #slowlife #hereandnow #dailylife #nature #lovenature #naturephotography #naturelover #japantravel #traveljapan #japanguide

Another summer tradition of Japan, firefly! #蛍#

Another summer tradition of Japan, firefly!

#蛍#夏 #お楽しみ #summer #tradition #firefly #fun #slowlife #summervacation #dailylife #myfavorite#karuizawa#karuizawalife #night #nature#naturephotography #naturelover #japan #japaneseculture #japantravel #instajapan #visitjapan #traveljapan #enjoymyjapan #japanguide#ようこそわが家へ#夏休み

A summer tradition of Japan, sparkler✨✨✨✨

A summer tradition of Japan, sparkler✨✨✨✨

夏のお楽しみ線香花火✨✨✨

#夏 #お楽しみ #風物詩 #線香花火 #花火 #夏休み #summer #tradition #sparkler #fun #slowlife #dailylife #myfavorite#karuizawa #night #activity #japan #japaneseculture #japantravel #instajapan #visitjapan #enjoymyjapan#fireworks #traveljapan #japanguide

Today, July 14, is Sunflower(Himawari) Day in Japa

Today, July 14, is Sunflower(Himawari) Day in Japan!Forty-four years ago today(1977/07/14), Japan's first geostationary weather satellite, Himawari-1, was launched.

Why was the name Himawari( sunflower) chosen for Japan's first weather satellite?
The reason is that sunflowers bloom in the direction of the sun.

As the sunflower always faces the sun, it changes the direction of its flowers according to the movement of the sun. On the other hand, weather satellites are also always watching the earth!

Do you have Sunflower Day?

今日、7月14日は「ひまわりの日」だそうです。それは44年前の今日、日本初の気象衛星「ひまわり1号」が打ち上げられたから。向日葵🌻は常に太陽の方向に向かって咲き、気象衛星は常に地球を見続けているので、初の気象衛星に「ひまわり🌻」と名付けたのだそうです😊
🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

#ひまわり畑 #ひまわり #向日葵 #夏 #記念日#花#はな #花のある暮らし #sunflower #summer #season #weathersatellite #anniversary #japan #instajapan #traveljapan #flowers #flower #flowerstagram #flowerphotography #flowerlovers

Gathering purples

#紫 #花 #花のある暮らし#季節の花 #季節を楽しむ #写真#purple #flowers #flowerstagram #flowerphotography #instaflower #lavender #mint #blueberry #rose #season #ryukyu #morningglory #琉球朝顔
#flowerlovers #japan#traveljapan

I can eat this endlessly!!!💕 In Japan, it is r

I can eat this endlessly!!!💕

In Japan, it is rare to eat fresh apricots. The reason is that the production area of apricots is limited and fresh apricots do not last long, so they are not widely distributed nationwide. In Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture, which boasts one of the two largest production of apricots in Japan( another is Aomori prefecture and those two cover 98% of the production). Apricots are usually at their peak around the end of June, but the harvest season lasts only about a month.

So the apricot pavlova served at the Mori-no-cafe (meaning forest cafe)
is very precious! The sweet and sourness of the apricots, the lightness of the cream, and the crunchiness of the meringue are the best!

The soda with homemade apricot syrup was also refreshing and delicious!

この杏のパブロヴァは美味しすぎて無限に食べられる〜💕ハーコットの爽やかな甘さとクリームの軽さ、メレンゲのサクサク感。はぁー美味しい💕ご馳走様でした💕

杏の旬は短くてもうそろそろ終わり。また来年のお楽しみ❣️

#軽井沢#カフェ #森のカフェ軽井沢南ヶ丘スイーツ #あんず #apricot #sweets #sweetstagram #karuizawa #cafe #season #fruits #nagano #japan #teatime #café #visitjapanjp #traveljapan #japanguide#foodstagram #instafoodie #foodie #local #seasonalfood #japanesefood #foodlover#weekend #weekendgetaway

Is this a Hobbit house or Totoro house? No, this i

Is this a Hobbit house or Totoro house? No, this is Goan, an "aerial tea house" located three meters above ground! It is designed by a Japanese architect, Terunobu Fujimori. The concept is to view the huge National Stadium from a tiny 7.29 square meter tea room. This is the “National Stadium view” tea house! It's nice and breezy inside.

Note: If you want to go there , don't look at the sixth and subsequent pictures❣️

ホビットのおうちでもトトロのおうちでもありません😆
藤森照信さん設計の「空中茶室」五庵。地上3メートルの高さからの国立競技場ビューのお茶室は風が通り抜けて気持ちがいいです❣️コンセプトは「極小のお茶室から極大の国立競技場を眺める」とのこと。実際にいらっしゃるご予定の方は6枚目以降のお写真は見ないでくださいね❣️

#五庵#藤森照信 #お茶室 #建築 #建築デザイン #paviliontokyo2021 #architecture #architecturedesign #japanese #architect #architecturephotography #tokyo2020 #teahouse #interiordesign #tokyo#japan #instajapan #tour #tourguides #privatetour #privateguide #travel #traveljapan #visitjapan #myfavorite #niceview #design #architecturelovers

The gardener is in the middle of annual pruning of

The gardener is in the middle of annual pruning of the pine trees. One by one, he looks at each branch to make sure it's balanced, cuts the branches he doesn't need, and hand-picks the dead pine leaves one by one. The branches overhanging the pond were pruned by floating a boat.
All of these efforts have resulted in this beauty. Enjoyed verdurous beauty in the rainy season steamy air and felt so thankful to those who are making this world beautiful!

Although some aspects of the human world's activities have been stopped by the COVID-19,
nature has never stopped moving forward. And the gardeners are with nature every day, every year.🙏

コロナで人間界の営みは止まってしまった部分もあるけれど、自然は泰然としてその歩みを止めず。そして庭師さん達は毎年、毎日、自然と共にある。

#nature #beauty #beautiful #japanese #garden #gardener #pruning #pinetree #thankful #tokyo #japan #traveljapan#visitjapanjp #japantour #instajapan #japangardens #japaneseculture #travel #tour #tourguide #privatetour #culture #culturetrip #privateguide#myfavorite #zen#gardenlovers #日本庭園

Mindful morning @Happoen. Open your senses. Feel t

Mindful morning @Happoen. Open your senses. Feel the sound and smell of the rain and the movement of the wind.
Reconnect to nature-reconnect yourself with your inner-net”.

八芳園さまでの素晴らしい体験。円融茶禅。心静かに自分を見つめる時間。

https://www.street-academy.com/myclass/92036

#八芳園 #マインドフルネス #雨の日 #梅雨を楽しむフォトコンテスト #リトリート #mindfulness #slowlife #rainyday #meditation #zen #peaceofmind #retreat #tokyo#japan #visitjapanjp #explorejapan #enjoymyjapan #travel #traveljapan #tour #tourguide #privatetour #privateguide#myfavorite#japanesegardens #tea #japaneseculture #japantravel #instajapan#thoughts

I bought apricots at an orchard(Anzuno-sato,Aprico

I bought apricots at an orchard(Anzuno-sato,Apricot Village) in Chikuma city, Nagano and made some apricots in syrup. I also made homemade amaretto in Japanese style with Shochu(distilled spirits)!😆May it be delicious!😋

あんずの里スケッチパークで買ったあんずをシロップ漬けに。種で自家製アマレットにもチャレンジ。上手くできるかなー😆

#あんず #あんずの里 #長野 #千曲市 #apricot #syrup #amaretto #seasonalfood #season #fruit #chikuma #nagano #japan #homemade #japanesefood #local #traditional #food #instafoodie #foodie #slowlife #dailylife #myfavorite #visitjapan #explorejapan #traveljapan #privateguide #tourguide#japan_of_insta #梅雨を楽しむフォトコンテスト

Visited a heaven like private rose garden in Karui

Visited a heaven like private rose garden in Karuizawa, Nagano!

A bit history of Karuizawa ↓

Karuizawa is one of the most popular resorts located only one hour from Tokyo. Karuizawa once prospered as a post town of Nakasendo highway built by Tokugawa shogunate government in the Edo era(1603-1867).
Modernized and westernized Meiji government took over the shogunate government and Japan started full-scale exchange with overseas countries.
A Canadian Alexander Croft Shaw (born into a military family of Scottish heritage) came to Japan as a missionary in 1873. Shaw brought his wife and children to the little-known town of Karuizawa to escape Tokyo’s hot summers in 1879 and found that Karuizawa's cool climate was similar to that of Scotland.So he introduced and developed Karuizawa as a resort area for foreigners. Since then Karuizawa has been popular resort.

This cool climate is also perfect for growing roses. Today, I enjoyed gorgeous roses and a delicious afternoon tea at a private rose garden in Karuizawa.

I am would like to express my gratitude and respect to the owner for creating and maintaining such a beautiful rose garden!🙏
@hannahula_garden

軽井沢のハンナフラガーデンさんのバラの美しさに感動❣️こんなに美しいお庭を作り上げられたその愛情と情熱にただただ尊敬と感謝です🙏

#軽井沢 #軽井沢カフェ #バラ #beautiful #rose #garden #karuizawa #nagano #cafe #relaxing #wonderfultime #slowlife #flower #flowerlovers #flowerphotography #flowerstagram #instaflower #japan #garden #gardening #japan_of_insta #japanlife #privateguide #japanguide #visitjapanjp #japantrip #enjoymyjapan #japantravel #history#culture

Visited a heaven like private rose garden in Karui

Visited a heaven like private rose garden in Karuizawa, Nagano!

A bit history of Karuizawa ↓

Karuizawa is one of the most popular resorts located only one hour from Tokyo. Karuizawa once prospered as a post town of Nakasendo highway built by Tokugawa shogunate government in the Edo era(1603-1867).
Modernized and westernized Meiji government took over the shogunate government and Japan started full-scale exchange with overseas countries.
A Canadian Alexander Croft Shaw (born into a military family of Scottish heritage) came to Japan as a missionary in 1873. Shaw brought his wife and children to the little-known town of Karuizawa to escape Tokyo’s hot summers in 1879 and found that Karuizawa's cool climate was similar to that of Scotland.So he introduced and developed Karuizawa as a resort area for foreigners. Since then Karuizawa has been popular resort.

This cool climate is also perfect for growing roses. Today, I enjoyed gorgeous roses and a delicious afternoon tea at a private rose garden in Karuizawa.

I am would like to express my gratitude and respect to the owner for creating and maintaining such a beautiful rose garden!🙏
@hannahula_garden

軽井沢のハンナフラガーデンさんのバラの美しさに感動❣️こんなに美しいお庭を作り上げられたその愛情と情熱にただただ尊敬と感謝です🙏

#軽井沢 #軽井沢カフェ #バラ #beautiful #rose #garden #karuizawa #nagano #cafe #relaxing #wonderfultime #slowlife #flower #flowerlovers #flowerphotography #flowerstagram #instaflower #japan #garden #gardening #japan_of_insta #japanlife #privateguide #japanguide #visitjapanjp #japantrip #enjoymyjapan #japantravel #history#culture

Visited beautiful private rose garden in Karuizawa

Visited beautiful private rose garden in Karuizawa, Nagano and enjoyed delicious afternoon tea! What a luxury and relaxing afternoon!
Thank you! @hannahula_garden @tartagnan_karuizawa
@karuizawa.info
軽井沢のハンナフラガーデンカフェにて美しいバラと美味しいアフタヌーンティーを堪能しました❣️

#軽井沢 #軽井沢カフェ #バラ #アフタヌーンティー #beautiful #rose #garden #karuizawa #nagano #cafe #teatime #afternoontea #relaxing #wonderfultime #slowlife #flower #flowerlovers #flowerphotography #flowerstagram #instaflower #japan #garden #gardening #japan_of_insta #japanlife #privateguide #japanguide #visitjapanjp #japantrip #japantravel #梅雨を楽しむフォトコンテスト

Stunning photo exhibition at Fujifilm Square, Ropp

Stunning photo exhibition at Fujifilm Square, Roppongi Midtown!

Yoshihiro Tatsuki is a prominent Japanese photographer and in this exhibition we can enjoy his monochrome pictures taken at the Toji Temple in Kyoto, which is designated as a world cultural heritage site. The statue of Taishakuten, Shakra, on the poster is always my first love💕 It's a miracle that it has been handsome since its creation in 839! If you stick around Tokyo area, you should go and see beautiful statues of Buddha! Admission free!

1200年近くもイケメンであり続ける帝釈天さま❤️🙏❤️

#富士フイルム #六本木 #帝釈天 #写真 #仏像#photo #photography #photographer #photolovers #toji #kyoto #photoexhibition #roppongi #fujifilm #tokyo#japan #culture #visitjapan #privatetour #privateguide #tokyoguide #instatravel #instajapan #japantourguide #japantravel #japan_of_insta #taishakuten #shakra #statue #buddha

There is a story behind hydrangea in Japan. It’s

There is a story behind hydrangea in Japan. It’s a love story of Philipp Franz Balthasar von Siebold and his Japanese wife Otaki-san. Siebold came to Japan as a physician in 1823 and fell in love with Otaki-san. After having their only daughter, he had to leave Japan because of political situation. Siebold was also known as an inquiring botanist and brought back hydrangea which originally native to Japan upon his return to his native country and named it "Otakusa" (a nickname for his wife). After 30years, the family could finally reunite ! And now hydrangea became very popular and beloved by the people all over the world! Love these happy endings!♥️

紫陽花(ガクアジサイ)はもともと日本の花。江戸時代に日本に来たシーボルトは帰国の際にヨーロッパに持ち帰り、品種改良され、今よく見かける花になり、逆輸入されたそうです。シーボルトは30年後に日本に戻ることができ(当時のことを思えば奇跡的❣️)、奥さんであるお滝さんと父と同じ医師となっていた娘さんと再会することができました。シーボルトは最愛の妻の名前から紫陽花のことを「おたくさ」と呼んでいたそうです😊

#紫陽花 #花#お散歩 #スナップ #写真 #お散歩写真 #hydrangea #flower #flowerstagram #flowerphotography #flowerlovers #season #snapshot #onmywalk #neighborhood #tokyo #japan #japanphotography #japan_of_insta #japantourguide #dailylife#dailyphoto #daily_photo_jpn #privateguide#tour #guide #myfavorite #lovestory#instapic #instaflower

A color palette of nature 🎨 自然のカラーパレット

#紫陽花 #花#お散歩 #スナップ #写真 #hydrangea #flower #flowerstagram #flowerphotography #flowerlovers #season #snapshot #onmywalk #neighborhood #tokyo #japan #japanphotography #japan_of_insta #japantourguide #dailylife#dailyphoto #daily_photo_jpn #privateguide#tour #guide #myfavorite

Oakleaf hydrangea
カシワバアジサイ
(柏葉紫陽花)

#紫陽花 #カシワバアジサイ#花#花のある暮らし #スナップショット #お散歩
#お散歩写真 #hydrangea #flower #flowerstagram #flowerphotography #flowerlovers #season #snapshot #onmywalk #neighborhood #tokyo #japan #japanphotography #japan_of_insta #japantourguide #dailylife#dailyphoto #daily_photo_jpn #privateguide#tour #guide #myfavorite

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