 |
|
Bashodo
|
| A small hall at the foot of Kurotani Hashi, enshrining
Matsuo Basho, the great haiku poet. The hall is used for tea ceremonies
and haiku meetings. The elegant atmosphere makes it a required stop
for visitors. Basho introduced Yamanaka, Arima, and Kusatsu as three
famed hot springs in his work entitled Hot Springs. |
|
Yamanaka Tourists' Museum
|
| This museum features videos of the history, climate, sights, and
historic spots of Yamanaka. Permanent exhibitions include lacquerware,
statues of the four saints of the Yamanaka Hot Spring, portable shrines,
and introduction of the Koi Koi Festival, the greatest event at the
Yamanaka Hot Spring. The museum has a precious hanging scroll, which
is one of the seven hanging scrolls written by Basho during his stay
at the Izumiya Inn. |
|
Katsura Shozu
|
| Crystal clear water flows from the spring beside
this 500 year-old Katsura tree. A Wakare Jizo (guardian deity for
parting) stands here, because this is the place where visitors and
the hot spring girls used to express their regrets at parting. |
|
Old Kutani Kiln Site
|
| A twenty minute drive from the town will take you
to the site of the Old Kutani Kiln, built by Toshiharu, the feudal
lord of Daiseiji clan. |
|
Ioji Temple
|
| Ioji Temple was founded by priest Gyoki, and enshrines Yakushi-nyorai
(Apothecary Tathagata). The temple is one of the three major Yakushi
temples of Japan - the other two are Takoyakushi in Kyoto and Hitohatayakushi
in Izumo. The temple has a vermillion pagoda. |
|
