The temple in the countryside (Ryudou-zan Houzou-ji temple/龍洞山宝蔵寺 and Houjyu-ji temple/法住寺)

On the way back from Bessyo Onsen (別所), I came across unique and ordinary temples.
Both temple had different characters, and were interesting.

The first temple is Ryudou-zan Houzou-ji temple (龍洞山宝蔵寺).
This temple is built on the middle of the cliff, half buried into it.

As this temple was built on high place, I could see it from far place.




The entrance was like this.
A lot of Jizo, the stone Buddhist statue, were there.

I had to walk up the stairways.
It was quite high...

Going through the gate, there was a temple.

To not demons and evils get inside of temple, the faces of guardian were set on the roof.
They were in scary faces...

Inside of the temple was like this.
It had large Japanese lantern, made of paper.

Walking through the passage, I could get in the back side of the temple.

The temple was built to fit the cave.

Getting out of the cave, and climbing up more stairs, I could see the town behind the temple.
I felt like this temple is a really guard of this town.

Before going one more hot spring, I saw one more temple along the road.
The reason why I realized the temple was the gate.
Large gate was beside the road.

Getting through the gate, walk for few minutes, I reached the temple.

It is ordinary temple, but something was really attractive.

Turning around and I realized why I liked this temple.
I deeply felt autumn here.

The leaves are falling, and the winter is coming near.
I have to prepare for it.

Getting in hot spring is one of amusement in winter time.

The last place I went was a hotel Fujiya （富士屋) in Tazawa Onsen (田沢温泉).
This hot spring is not so hot, but the warmness will continues for hours after getting out.
It is little far from Matsumoto city, but I recommend this hotel.
The youth hostel is near, too!

<Fujiya>
https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/%E5%AF%8C%E5%A3%AB%E5%B1%8B%E3%83%9B%E3%83%86%E3%83%AB/@36.3669493,138.0987261,16.03z/data=!4m6!1m3!3m2!1s0x0:0x74c9a7c8d24b9799!2z5a-M5aOr5bGL44Ob44OG44Or!3m1!1s0x0:0x74c9a7c8d24b9799

<Youth hostel>
http://www.jyh.or.jp/e/i.php?jyhno=3610

Thank you for reading!
Take care not to catch a cold!

龍洞山宝蔵寺, 法住寺, 富士屋, ユースホステル

Peaceful place in the hot spring town (Jyouraku-ji temple / 常楽寺, Bessyo Onsen / 別所温泉)

After visiting Anraku-ji temple, I went down the hill and went back to town.
In the middle of this town, there is a temple named Jyouraku-ji temple(常楽寺).

Around the temple, there are some hotels and Ryokans.
This area is called Bessyo Onsen (温泉).



There are many souvenir shops in the street which goes to Jyouraku-ji temple.

The Rice cookies sold at the souvenir shop.

It says "Kousen Senbei (鉱泉せんべい)".

This rice cookie is little sweet, thin type. It matches Japanese green tea.
If you have a chance, you should try. I recommend them.
(I'm eating this now, writing this blog.)

At the entrance, a man was washing his hand and mouth.

Last weekend, I watched a classic movie, "Around the world in 80 days."
In this movie, there was a scene which the characters visiting Japan, and using this kind of fountain at the temple.

In this movie, it maybe difficult for them though, but their manner were wrong.
They were drinking water using ladle.

People must not put their mouth directly on the ladle.
The correct manner when you clean your mouth at the fountain is, pour the water once in your hand, and bring it to the mouth.

This man was just doing it in correct manners.

Walking for few meters, I reached a bell tower.

This temple is not so large, but the design and layouts of the building is so beautiful.
In front of the bell tower, there were small temple building.

It is said that this temple was first built 1200 years ago, but burned three times.
The building which we can see is built 200 years ago.

This temple has other name. It is "Kita-muki-Kannon (北向観音)."
It means "Goddes Kannon facing north side."

Ancient people were watching the stars, and in north sky, they were watching Big Dipper.
Those people wished the lucky to come from Big Dipper in the north side, and settled statue of Kannon facing north side.

I couldn't see the statue, but I think it is in this main temple.

Inside of the temple was like this. Maybe she, the statue was here.

Stepping out the main temple, the sight was like this.
I really like this temple's layout. It was like miniature old town.

Going inner part, there were unique building.

As it was settled in the high place, people can't get inside.
I think this building is used only when having a special kind of festival.

If I can climb up this building, I could see all around the town.

The sun is coming down, and its getting cold.
It's good idea for taking a bath at hot spring.

To tell the truth, I went two kinds of hot spring this day.
Both was amazing.

I will introduce one of them later in few days.

Thank you for reading!!
Good night!

別所温泉, 北向観音, 常楽寺, 秋, 上田

An old temple and a cat (Anraku-ji temple / 安楽寺, Bessyo Onsen / 別所温泉)

Before taking a bath in hot spring, I've visited temples.
It's not bad to walk a lot, get little tired, and get in hot bath.

This day, I went to a temple named Anraku-ji temple (安楽寺) in Bessyo Onsen (別所温泉).

As it was little cloudy day, it was difficult to take a picture in dark place...




Going through the dim woods, there where three-storied pagoda.

I have waited the sunlight comes, but it was unlucky day for me.
The less lights only let me take dark pictures.

Maybe I can take little more better picture in morning time.
I should come here in other day.

In the way back, I met cute cat.
She was attached to human, and could chuck her.

Her first contact was like this.
I regret that the pint was little out from her face.

She was purring.

She seems feeling really well.

And... rolling.

I was lucky to meet her, become happy feeling.
But she hardly let me go.
She sit on the feet.

I have to come back here someday in the morning time to take a picture of beautiful building and meet the cat again.

Thank you for reading!

Have a nice weekend!!

別所温泉, 崇福山安楽寺, 三重塔