A trip to experience fresh green scenery and history
A trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city, walking in the forest and surrounded by the smell of greenery, bathing my whole body in the healing power of nature.
9:00 a.m. Looking up at Abeno Harukas, the tallest skyscraper complex in Japan at 300 meters above the ground. Good morning! I am now going to warp to a power spot. I will take the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line from Osaka Abenobashi Station to the last stop, Kashihara Jingu-mae Station.
It takes 35 minutes by limited express Sakura Liner. The express fare (regular / reserved seat) is 520 yen per person. Reservation can be easily made online prior to boarding.
Now, 9:10, off we go!
Actually, the time required for the limited express and the express train is only 4 minutes apart🤣 But today's a healing journey. Here's a bonus! The observation deck.
The train pushes forward as if sucked into nature. Yes, this feeling of leaving the hustle and bustle as if to escape is the best traveling feeling.
In no time at all, you will arrive at your destination.
Ten minutes walk from the station. You have arrived at Kashihara Jingu Shrine. The first torii gate is in sight.
It is 10 meters high. There are plenty of taller buildings in the city, but this overwhelming presence is something else entirely. When you walk through here, it gives you the chills that you are in a location thought to be flowing with mystical energy.
After passing through the approach to the shrine and passing through the shrine gate, the front yard of the hall of worship opens up, and Mount Unebiyama can be seen over there.
This is the outer worship hall. The inner worship hall is located behind this hall.
Silently put your hands together.
It is highly revered as a god of luck and longevity.
I bought a good luck charm to commemorate my visit to the shrine!
The golden kite, or golden ptarmigan, is a auspicious bird that brings good luck. It is derived from a legend that a golden kite flew out of nowhere and dazzled the enemy with its lightning-like light, leading them to victory in the midst of a difficult war situation.
Passing through the Hokushinmon gate, you will find the north approach to the shrine, which is covered with thick green forests, and almost halfway down, on your left, you will find the trailhead to Mt.
Forest bathing~.
Passing through the northern torii gate and through the Forest Recreation Area, visitors can return to the starting point, the first torii gate.
"Yamato" is written "大和" and "Taima" is written "当麻（當麻）".
I came back to Kashihara-jingumae Station. I boarded a train bound for Furuichi Station in the direction of Osaka.
I got off at Iwaki station on the way.
There is a sign for Takenouchi Kaido. It is said to be the oldest official road connecting the Asuka capital and Namba, opened in the 21st year of Emperor Suiko's reign.
The original landscape of Yamato spreads out.
This is the area around Taimadera Station. What a surprise! Taima is the birthplace of sumo. There is a sumo hall.
There is also a proper sumo ring in here.
I had Kakinoha Zushi for lunch right near the Sumo Pavilion. I love local cuisine😋.
Kakinoha Zushi Nara Set
And with a full stomach.
Now, it is straight from here to Taima Temple (Taima-dera).
Taima-Dera is famous for its peonies, which are at their best from mid to late April.
Beautiful gardens and landscaping.
Main hall.
There are many things to see and do.
I'm about to leave.
What’s this line?
Dumplings are better than flowers⁉︎︎
Get a souvenir♪
当麻名物・よもぎ餅専門の中将堂本舗 | 奈良県 和菓子 もち米 餅 あんこ 中将堂本舗 よもぎ餅 中将餅
From Taimadera Station, transfer at Furuichi Station to Osaka Abenobashi Station.
Abeno Harukas comes into view.
I'm back 😄
At the end.
Within the precincts of Kashihara Shrine, there was a memorial to the spirit of war dead. I offered my condolence.
