In Shizuoka, we have many spots for fishing. Not to mention the sea, fishing in mountain streams is very popular. You must be careful in fishing in the river because the fishing season is generally limited in Shizuoka, or in Japan, while you can enjoy fishing in the sea throughout the year. What is more, you have to pay for fishing right tickets. Why ? Because fishery unions hatch and farm fishes such as sweet fish and rainbow trout and release them in the river before the season begins. That is, it is best to fish on the first day or the first week of the season because fishes will not have studied much yet. The fee of fishery ticket defers depending on the union but it is usually around ¥1,000 - ¥2,000 for a day.
By the way, last weekend, I joined a fishing contest in Kisegawa River, Gotemba City. It was so beautiful day with the breeze of late autumn. I arrived there late because I had got……kind of lost. ＾＾； It did not matter for me because I was good happy enough only to grip my fishing rod that I had not for a long time. I saw dozens of people fishing. I finished the entry and hurried the stairs to get ready for it.

It was not long before I caught the first fish. You know, I’m sort of pro !＾＾　A baby rainbow trout though. I changed the spots several times. Small trout again, and again, until finally I caught a not-too-bad one. More than 12 inches !

Eventually, I caught 11 trout for 2 hours. Good enough for me. I looked around. They had caught more than I did. ＾＾； A man had a humongous trout. Is that one you bought at the fish market ? No. You wouldn’t find bigger one even in the market. Oh, maybe next time, I will.

The fishing season has been closed in most of the rivers in Shizuoka. It begins next year generally from March 1st. It is essential for you to check out the details such as fishing ticket, fishing style and the season beforehand, I’m so sorry that you will find little information in English. So if you have any inquiries, please feel free to post your messages on this blog website or ask us through our official website, “Shizuoka Guide”.

Thank you and have a good day !

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

It is very good to pedal on the flat ground compared to climbing up and down by bicycle. Along the road were small mountains and tea fields. A stream also went along with me. Not many cars passed. Good for cycling, isn’t it ? I stopped over at a chestnut field to take some pictures and found a board saying “ruin of Sanada Castle”. Never heard of it though I am a kind of history junkie. I read the guiding board and found out that it belonged to Muto clan. Never heard of him. Very curious about whom he stood up for. It became clear by the guiding board that he had been on Takeda clan to be defeated and exterminated by Tokugawa. Come to think of it, Masayuki Sanada, a major general on Takeda clan took his wife from this area “Enshu” and temporarily identified himself as Muto. Is there any relation between them ? Maybe I should stop writing history for now to save your time.＾＾；

I got to Koshoji Temple, #31 on the map, in 20 minutes or so from Okuni Shrine, anyway. Koshoji Temple is more famous as one of the three major “Kikyoji Temple”, which means “Balloon flower Temple”. I found many cute Jizo statues along the approach. Beside each statue were messages from the priest. In the picture, for example, he preaches as this. “Real happiness can be found just around you”. You like it ? ＾＾

I headed for the Hondo main hall to read the guiding board. Here, again, Muto clan. He established this temple in 1545 to place his family tombs. Maybe he was such a kingmaker around this area.
This temple is very famous for balloon flowers of 40 thousand roots, allegedly a million stalks in June and July as the first season, August and September as the second season. The entrance of Kikyo Garden will be found on your left. Please look around them if you’ve got a chance to visit here in these seasons.

I bought a balloon flower ice-cream, a specialty of Koshoji. It tasted so good in bright purple. Purple may be associated with the color of flowers, but actually these roots are used for the ice-cream. The color is merely the image, I heard. By the way, do you know the flower language of balloon flowers ? It’s “Enduring Love”.

It did not take much time to see around Koshoji Temple. I left for the next destination, “Rengeji Temple”, also known as a temple of Japanese bush clover. On my way, I found very famous pottery studios that are shown #1−#4 on the map. I was meant to visit them but time didn’t allow me to. I had to return the bicycle by 15:30. In 20 minutes, I reached Rengeji Temple. It was around 14:30.

Next time, I’ll show you Rengeji Temple.

Have a good day !＾＾

Koshoji Temple (Kikyoji Temple
Admission ： Free
Kikyo Garden
Admission ： ¥500 for adults

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

So I worked the pedals for around 30 minutes and got to Okuni Shrine, #7 in the map. On my way, I found a humongous tree in the field that did not seem like "Japanese". Does it mean something ? Maybe because of a folk story or mysterious reason ?
You won’t get lost in this town because there stands lots of guide-boards here and there which are marked in both Japanese and English !

Anyway, I got to Okuni Shrine and found myself very hungry. No wonder because I had struggled for one hour on the bicycle, right ? Without breakfast, furthermore.＾＾；　Telling the truth, I found nothing by then where I could have lunch, or even where I could buy some bread. One may lament this inconvenience but others will be happy with it. And I knew God won’t abandon us. Just in front of the shrine gate, I found a city of food ! That is Okuni-Kotomachi-Yokocho. You will find some souvenir shops and an eating place. I went in one of them and had Udon noodle. Believe it or not, it was splendid ! Maybe because of I was too hungry ? Not quite. It was ! ＾＾

After finishing up Udon noodle, I strolled through the Torii Gate and walked on the approach to the Honden main hall. You know what ? People say that the air in shrines let us feel cool and crystalline and actually, it did ! I walked straight to Honden Hall to say hello to the God. Remember once I explained how to pray in Shrines ? Two bows, two claps, and one bow after praying. Oh, and be sure not to walk in the center of the approach. That is a way for Gods. Keep right or left. Though these manners might bother you much, I dare to advise you to follow them to learn Japan because they are born from our cultures. You can do it !＾＾

After praying for the safety of this trip at Honden main hall, I took another pathway in the woods. The sun streamed through leaves, which made me feel as if I had been in a sacred room. A pond and a red wooden bridge between maple leaves brought the air of pure Japanese style. It must have turned in autumn color by now.

In Japan, on the night of New Year’s Eve, people visit temples and shrines to pray for their happiness on the New Year Day. Okuni Shrine attracts about 250 thousand visitors every year ! You will see how large it is from the spacious parking lot that accommodates 800 !
I took the bicycle and began to pedal it again for the next destination.

Next time, I’ll report Koshoji Temple.

Have a good day !＾＾

Okuni Shrine
Access from Enshu Morimachi of Tenryu Hamanako Railroad → 30 minutes by bicycle.
Admission ： Free
Hours ： Open every day

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾