Pilgrimage to Sacred Sites in Kimono

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Dear Radiance

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The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House

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Rurouni Kenshin

Zuishin-in Temple

This monzeki temple was established in 991 by the high priest Ninkai and has traditionally had members of the Sekkan family serve as its head priests. It is also considered a place associated with Ono no Komachi, one of the most renowned beauties in the world and a celebrated master of waka poetry.

Transportation Access

About 40 minutes by bus from Yumeyakata.

Miidera Temple

Miidera, the head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect, is officially named Nagaramiyama Onjoji and is located on the western slope of Mount Nagara in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, southwest of Lake Biwa. The temple came to be commonly known as "Miidera" (literally, "Temple of the Sacred Well") because it houses a miraculous spring used for the first baths of Emperors Tenchi, Tenmu, and Jitō.
Miidera is also renowned as one of the "Eight Views of Ōmi" (Ōmi Hakkei), specifically for the scenic spot known as "The Evening Bell of Miidera." In addition, the temple is famous for the Reishōdō (Hall of the Sacred Bell), associated with the legend of "Benkei's Dragged Bell," as well as the popular local treat Benkei Chikara Mochi (Benkei’s Power Rice Cake).

Miidera Temple is the place where the filming of the Rurouni Kenshin movie series began.It is known as the “starting point” of the series and a sacred location where scenes from every live-action Rurouni Kenshin film were shot!
One of the most famous spots is the bridge in front of the three-story pagoda. In the first movie, there's a memorable scene where Kaoru (played by Emi Takei) is playing with a cat, when suddenly someone falls from the bridge above. She looks up to see the vagabond manslayer Udo Jin-e (played by Koji Kikkawa) standing there. Just as Kaoru is about to be attacked, Kenshin (played by Takeru Satoh) swoops in to save her at the last second—a truly iconic moment.Miidera also appears in The Final, where it is used as the setting for the first meeting between Yukishiro Enishi (played by Mackenyu Arata) and Kenshin. If you follow the arrow sign pointing from the Kondo Hall to the Kannon Hall, you can find the exact camera angle used in the film!To cross the bridge, go around the back of the Kondo Hall, follow the sign for the Benkei Bell, and climb the stairs. You'll find the Benkei Bell at the top, and the bridge is just beyond it.

Transportation Access

①From Gojo Station on the Karasuma Line (a 4-minute walk from Yumekan), take the train toward Kokusaikaikan and go 2 stops to Karasuma Oike Station. Transfer to the Tozai Line heading toward Biwako-Hamaotsu and get off at Biwako-Hamaotsu. Then transfer to the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line toward Sakamoto-Hieizanguchi. After 1 stop, you will arrive at Miidera Station. (43 minutes)
②From Gojo Station on the Karasuma Line (a 4-minute walk from Yumekan), take the train toward Takeda and go 1 stop to Kyoto Station. Transfer to the JR Kosei Line and get off at the second stop, Otsukyo Station. Walk about 3–4 minutes to transfer to Keihan Otsukyo Station, then take the train bound for Ishiyamadera. After 2 stops, you will arrive at Miidera Station. (34 minutes)
③From Gojo Station on the Karasuma Line (a 4-minute walk from Yumekan), take the train toward Takeda and go 1 stop to Kyoto Station. Transfer to the JR Biwako Line and get off at the second stop, Otsu Station. Then take a taxi; it’s just a short ride (about one meter on the fare meter).

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