Place Name: Shirakabe Dozogun 白壁土蔵群
Type: Historical Preservation District
Location: Kurayoshi city, Tottori Prefecture, JAPAN
Latitude: 35.432089
Longitude: 133.825031
Date of Visit: December 28, 2012
Access: JR San'in Main Line - Kurayoshi Station (山陰本線ー倉吉駅)
Web: http://www.apionet.or.jp/kankou/f/e/html/midokoro1.htm#shirakabe
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleepytako/8540022875/
The Shirakabe Dozogun [白壁土蔵群] or Utsubukitamakawa [打吹玉川] as it's officially known is a "Group of Traditional Building" or in Japanese a 重要伝統的建造物群保存地区. Basically, it's a historic district of warehouses dating back to Edo period that have been preserved over the years. The beautiful neighborhood can be explored in a half day and has many small, and tasty looking, cafes hidden throughout the area. Small shops aimed towards the tourist trade are mixed among local shoe stores and boutiques. Even in the rain we had a great time wandering around the small streets.
Free parking and, lucky for us, free umbrella rental is available near the tourist information office.
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Place Name: Kokawa-dera 粉河寺
Type: Temple 寺
Location: Kinokawa city, Wakayama Prefecture, JAPAN
Latitude: 34.280961
Longitude: 135.405908
Date of Visit: February 11, 2013
Access: JR Wakayama Line - Kokawa Station (和歌山線ー粉河駅)
Fee: Parking ¥500
Hours: 8:00~17:00
Web: http://www.kokawadera.org/
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleepytako/sets/72157632920596244
Kokawa-dera is impressive for the beautiful stone work throughout the complex. Easy to walk to with no long stairs or hikes from the entrance it's also one of the most accessible of the Saikoku 33 temples. If you don't come by car, it's only 10 minutes or so from the nearest train station to the entrance also. The gem of Kokawa-dera is the amazing rock garden that makes up the retaining wall of the temple. It's also registered national cultural asset. While the garden dates from the 16th century the temple itself has a history dating back to 770. A picture scroll describing the foundation of the temple by a hunter is a natural treasure and is kept in the Kyoto National Museum. The lotus flower fountain in the front is amazing too. Behind the temple is a small Shinto shrine that had a two peacocks and some koi fish to look at.
The hill next to the temple is a city park with a small playground, view point and walking trails.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
