Traveling to Mihara, Hiroshima.
The main destination on the first day was Sagishima, a remote island that can be visited in a short time.
After returning from the island, we still had some time before nightfall, so we went on a tour of shrines and temples around Mihara Station.
The area around Mihara Station was the site of Mihara Castle and its castle town, as evidenced by the remains of the Mihara Castle Keep adjacent to the station.
A short walk north from the north exit of the station reveals many narrow alleys with steep slopes, making visitors feel as if they are touching the old castle town.
There are also many shrines and temples north of Mihara Station.
It is said that this is because when Mihara Castle was built, Takakage Kobayakawa recommended many temples in the surrounding area for the purpose of guarding the castle.
This time we visited Mihara Hachimangu Shrine, Hozeiji Temple, and Oshima Shrine.
The temples are all within walking distance of Mihara Station, so why not combine a visit with a stroll through the city?
On the way to the shrines, you can buy “tofu doughnuts” made from tofu from a tofu store that has been in business for 54 years.
It is also nice to walk around the town of Mihara while biting into a doughnut.
A walk while feeling the castle town of Mihara Castle, which was called “Floating Castle”
Sagishima is a remote island that can be reached in a short time from Mihara Station.
After returning from the island, which is also called “the island closest to the Shinkansen station in Japan,” I decided to take a walk around Mihara Station since I still had some time left before hotel check-in.
The area around Mihara Station faces the sea, and as I walked around, I often saw rivers flowing into the sea.
I personally love the sea and rivers, so I often spend time looking at them when I travel.
The mountains to the north of Mihara Station give the area a different atmosphere to the north and south of the station. This is interesting.
In Mihara, I also took time to relax and look at the sea, but this walk on the north side of the station was also enjoyable.
For the walk, I referred to the “Yassa Festival, Satsuki Festival Tekkku Course” map on the “Mihara Sightseeing Navi” website, which lists shrines and temples near Mihara Station.
We walked around some shrines and temples near the north exit of Mihara Station.
Hojouji Temple
The first temple we visited was Hojouji Temple.
It is about a 15-minute walk from Mihara Station.
Hojouji Temple served as the Mihara Castle outpost.
When Takakage Kobayakawa died, his funeral was held and he was cremated in this temple.
There is a large cemetery within the temple grounds.
According to later research, there are two large gravestones in the cemetery for “OZEKI ISHINOMI” and “OZEKI Oki” who were retainers of FUKUSHIMA Masanori.
Mihara Hachimangu Shrine
Next, we visited Mihara Hachimangu Shrine, located near Hojouji Temple.
It is also a 15-minute walk from Mihara Station.
However, since the main hall is located on a hill, there is a long flight of stairs from the entrance of the approach to the shrine.
It is best to allow extra time.
At the top of the stairs, there is a hand-watering basin, so I took a bath.
I was impressed by the beautiful water shining in the sunlight pouring into the temple. It made me feel as if I was being welcomed.
We join hands at the shrine.
My trip to Mihara up to this point has been a very enjoyable one. We are thankful that our trip has gone well up to this point, and hope to have good encounters during the rest of our journey.
It was August when we visited. It is rare to see a thatch ring at this time of the year.
I was grateful to be allowed to go around the circle in the shape of an ∞ character, and to remove the bad luck.
I heard that many visitors come to the shrine during Hatsumode (New Year’s holidays) and other times.
It is located on a hill, so it is recommended to visit for the view of the city below.
Tofu doughnuts from Konishi Tofu Shop (Xuehana)
Now, after visiting shrines and temples, I was feeling a little hungry.
So we stopped by Konishi Tofu Donut Shop, which has been in business for 54 years, for the popular sweet “Tofu Donut,” which we recommended in advance.
Konishi Tofu Donut Shop is located near Mihara Hachiman Shrine.
Tofu doughnuts are sold at “Yukikana,” a store adjacent to Konishi Tofu Shop. When you enter the store, you will find a line of prepared foods.
When asked, I was told that for 780 yen, you can eat all the prepared foods in the store.
I was on my way to JA, and I had just stopped them from serving me when they were busy, but the staff at the store was kind and helpful. The smile on her face was wonderful.
I promised myself that I would try the all-you-can-eat prepared foods next time I visit the store! I promised myself that I would eat all the prepared foods I could on my next visit, so I bought some “tofu doughnuts”.
They were 50 yen each, so two for 100 yen. That’s a bargain.
The doughnuts were so soft that there was almost no oil on my hands.
When you bite into it, it is soft and fluffy, but when you chew it, you will feel a chewy texture.
The chewy “QQ feeling” reminds me of the QQ egg I had in Taiwan.
The sweetness is moderate and just a hint of sweetness. It was a gentle tasting doughnut that made me think of the smiling faces of the store staff.
Oshima Shrine
While biting into my doughnut, I headed for Oshima Shrine.
I had heard that the shrine is lined with several old torii gates, so I decided to visit it to conclude my tour of shrines and temples. I like torii gates.
I was trying to find Oshima Shrine with the help of the aforementioned map, but it was hard to find it.
As I wandered around the area, I came across several temples just by itself. There really are a lot of them.
There are also many hills, so it is very difficult to get lost.
Moreover, the temperature was 38 degrees Celsius that day, so my clothes were soaked with sweat.
I looked up the shrine on a map app, but it didn’t show up.
I asked a person who happened to be passing by, and he seemed to have been lost in the immediate area.
Here is the approach to Oshima Shrine that we finally found.
It is difficult to find the shrine because the surrounding alleys are very narrow. The area near the approach was not open, and there were several torii gates standing side by side in a row of houses.
The vermilion color of the torii gate is peeling off in some places. The shrine has an atmospheric atmosphere, and its history can be felt everywhere.
Like Mihara Hachimangu Shrine, Oshima Shrine is also located on a hill.
Looking back while climbing the stairs, I could see the mountains and the city of Mihara.
I felt a gaze on my back, so I looked back and saw a cat.
I wondered if this was your territory. I wonder if this is your territory.
When you go up the stairs, you will see the hall of worship in front of you.
I remembered our cat when I saw it earlier, and prayed for the health of my family (including the cat) here.
I wish I could bring my wife next time.
I want to share the excitement with her. I was thinking about the atmosphere of the shrine and the beauty of the view from there.
Conclusion
On the way back from Oshima Shrine, I went in the direction of the station, referring to the view from the hill.
I walked down a different narrow, steep road than the one I went on, but it was a much closer route than the one I took.
I am sure there are shortcuts, but it is fun to get lost and find your destination.
There are so many shrines and temples on the north side of Mihara Station that if you walk around, you will hit one.
This is especially recommended for those who like to visit shrines and temples and for those who like to stroll around places that have a local feel.
My motto when I travel is to “walk around. If I had more time, I would have walked around more.
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