Mt Fuji Sight Seeing Part 3

SEGEN SHRINE

The Segen Shrine was build honoring the shinto god kami. It is the god of Fuji. There are multiple shrines in this one area and they all fall under the title Segen Shrine.

From what I remember of the narrative from our tour guide the multiple shrines within a shrine is due to the the changing top Samurai known as a shogun. For a while at least when there was a shogun who had taken power, he build another shrine doing his best to out shine the one before to honor kami.

Below you once again see the ever present Torii gate

Both sides of the entrance path to the shrine are lined with mossy stone lanterns which were donated by believers.

Here are depictions of two shoguns that I spoke of earlier

Here is the largest shrine and one that seems to be in current use at Segen Shrine. I saw many believers come up before the "altar" after having cleansed at the water trough, bow throw a coin over the railing and clap twice. Please don't quote me because I may have gotten the pattern wrong - I wasn't trying to stare

If you look closely at the right side of the shrine you will see the area where you can buy trinkets including your fortune - guess the monks think they know the future
Here is a smaller shrine. Please note the group of older men standing around, I will explain later.

Like moths to a flame!

Dylan is the flame obviously. Most times that we go out people stop us to stare, talk and try and touch Dylan. At first I was very disturbed with a bunch of people mobbing Dylan and I but have come to the realization there isn't much I can do. I have been told it is his reddish blonde hair.

So in the picture below: Dylan and I had just escaped from the group of older men you saw above who kept saying in English whose papa (very strange)only to be rushed by the school children. At least I think they were school age. An American on our tour was recording the whole thing - so great Dylan and I are now apart of some random guy's home video. I must say it would probably be hilarious to view from the outside. Since he was documenting all the fun I said you better get a picture for us. You can't even imagine the excitement that created. After which I said thank you. The students kept yelling thank you back to us - of course this thank you part was all in Japanese.




Below you will see barrels to your left and in the center and right hanging wooden shapes. Inside the barrels is sake. The hanging shapes are prayers. When someone make a wish/prayer they write it down and hang it on the hook outside the shrine. If the wish comes true they are to come back take the wish down and give an offering of thanks to the god.
I am not sure if you can click on the picture and enlarge it or if you would even want to. That black spot on the back of the man is a beetle! It was the young boys pet!! Ok I have a son and never had brothers is this the kind of pets I will be dealing with? My only hope - did you notice he had it crawling on Dad not Mom - smart boy!!

FUJI PEACE PARK

The Peace Park was built as a prayer of peace and happiness in Japan. The park seems to be dedicated to buddha and his underlings.

This disturbing statue was one of the two that "guarded" the entrance. I must say it doesn't look too peaceful. What do you think?

Notice the slippers/flip flops for buddha

Our guide told us that there are either 33 or 23 goddess who represent the students under buddha. I can't remember but I am not too concerned I have other things I would much rather commit to memory.

There was a statue for every one of these goddess along this pathway.

Here is the white pagoda. The dome-shaped stupa is thought to represent an upside down rice bowl. Our guide told us that under this pagoda some of the bones of the founder of buddhism are buried.

Notice the gold statue inside the "entrance way". There are four, one on each side, which represent the 4 seasons of life.

There is a row of lion/dogs or liogs if you like. Don't repeat that unless you want to sound really goofy! I just made it up. The liogs were donated by different countries with strong Buddhist ties to protect the pagoda. Two examples that I remember are Thailand and Hong Kong.
The next two pictures are of a cemetery in the back of the pagoda. I was told it is for WWII soldiers. This made me pause and contemplate what I know about the war, our two countries and most importantly were these men honorable or not? There were many atrocities by the Japanese that we don't learn about in school the Bataan Death March being only one of the more well known. You also have the sons, husbands and fathers who answered the call of duty.


Speaking of answering the call of duty, the USS George Washington pulls into Yokosuka for the first time tomorrow morning!!!
We are making history having a nuclear powered ship station abroad but you know all that matters - Rory will be here!!!

Mt Fuji Sight Seeing Part 2

Lake Kawaguchi

Mt Fuji is surround by 5 lakes with Kawaguchi being in the center. From the northern shore you are supposed to be able to see the inverted image of Mt Fuji on the lake. As you have gathered from the previous blog we didn't get to enjoy this view.

The above picture is taken looking out from our table at lunch.
I had heard about sweet potato ice cream - I'm game. Being told it was purple I looked for a ice cream vendor at the Lake who was selling purple ice cream. This was actually Lavender ice cream apposed to sweet potato - another time then.
Both Dylan and I thoroughly enjoyed our ice cream. It was much needed to get the taste of lunch out of my mouth. I ordered shoba noodles with mountain veggies. I didn't realize they came in a broth and the broth tasted really fishy!
This is Dylan's first experience with an ice cream cone - actually even with ice cream if I am remembering correctly. He was hesitant at first them kept asking for more huh oh what have I done:)

love the little smirk;)
Our time here was short since this was really just our lunch break. I do hope to return and take the cable car up the mountain to get a better view. I can only imagine it would be magnificent especially if you could see majestic Mt Fuji reflected in the lake. Ah I am dreaming of what a beautiful picture that could be to scrapbook - yes sometimes I tend to think in scrapbook terms when it comes to pictures

Next Up Segen Shrine and Fuji Peace Park

Mt Fuji Sightseeing Tour Part 1

This first part of our trip is of Mt. Fuji's Welcome Center and 5th Station

The first 3 pictures were taken from the bus. The one above is in a neighborhood near Ikego. Ikego is a military housing facility that is off the main base.

The next two are poor quality pictures but show the mountainous terrain that we drove through to get out to Mt Fuji.

Dylan and I had packed a breakfast since we left base at 5:30am. Yawn:) Our group did stop at a truck stop to get breakfast and use the bathroom. I assure you the truck stop was rather high quality. We didn't eat though instead we stretched our legs (as you see) and used the facilities. Yes for those of you observant enough to notice, Dylan has on a gator shirt and I my orange shirt. Back in my homeland there was a gator game going on so we had to be cheering!

Below is the Mt Fuji Welcome Center. We didn't even go up to the second floor. For one, I couldn't find an elevator and two it was so overcast and cloudy you couldn't see anything always.

I learned from my friend Yoko that Mt Fuji is really Fuji-san. Pronounced Huji-san they don't use their fs. Coffee is Cohee. Fu - rich, Ji- Samurai and San - mountain therefore you have a rich strong mountain



This begins the pictures from the 5th station. I didn't realize until we were getting close that there is a post office up at this station. I only had time to fill out two postcards really quickly - myself and my parents. The post mark is unique - obviously:)

You have my permission to say that I am a cheese ball!

Hey life is fun that way - you should try it!

This is the entrance to the shinto shrine at the 5th station. The red gate is called a torii gate it is the entrance way for the gods to get to the shrine. Every time you see a torii gate it is almost a guarantee there will be a shrine nearby.

Now this is an interesting ritual. Before entering the shrine or jinja a worshiper is to wash their hands with the water in the trough as well as swish their mouth. This is supposed to cleanse them internally and externally before coming before their god(s)



As I had mentioned it was way too cloudy and overcast to see the peak of Mt Fuji. There were numerous places that we would have been able to see it during our trip but...

Thus far in every shrine that I have visited there have been very horrific masks and/or statutes. The architecture can be described as beautiful, the decor as interesting but in all honesty the masks and statues are generally quite disturbing! Just check out these guys - they look like they want to eat my son.:(
Still trying to see the peak, but...

Those are some seriously large flip flops.
I believe they are actually supposed to be shoes for the god(s) to wear? I am assuming this only because at the great buddha which I hope to see soon there are a set of huge flip flops as well. I have been told by a Japanese national that those are for him to relax in.

My traveling buddy did really well. I was thrilled and thankful. Of course we had our moments that he would let me know "oh Mom I am only one and this is tiring" but it wasn't too bad.

My little sight seeing champ for sure!!!

Thanks for keeping mom company little man.

Below is the gate leading you to the trail. Next climbing season I really hope to be able to post pictures taken from the trail. My desire is to climb Mt Fuji while we are here.
A long time ago (not sure the dates) woman were not allowed to climb Mt Fuji and it was preferred that foreigners did not. I would have been out of luck. The reason being was Mt Fuji is considered sacred to the Japanese people.
The first foreigner to climb the mountain was British and the first woman was disguised as a man.

In case you are to weary to continue or sprain an ankle here is your relief -

A few horses
Busy busy 5th station. Though climbing season was over there seemed to be numerous climbers. Our guide believes this was due to the mild weather - at that moment. The weather on Mt Fuji can change in an instant thus you must be ready for anything.


Next we will visit lake Kawaguchi