Kawaguchi Asama Shrine: A peaceful retreat in the Yamanashi Prefecture

 

During my travels in Japan, the area that I loved the most was the Fuji Highlands in Yamanashi Prefecture. Apart from being a tourist destination, there were plenty of ways to enjoy tranquility and solitude in lush green environments with a spiritual atmosphere.  One good example was the Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, located close to  Lake Kawaguchiko.

Like many other tourists, my aim was to get a good view of Mt Fuji from a spot accessible from this shrine, and I had therefore underestimated the beauty of the place itself.

Kawaguchi Asama Shrine and its giant cedars

The entrance to the shrine can be reached after a 20- minute walk from the nearest bus stop at the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum. This stop is part of the Red Sightseeing Bus route, one of the most popular tourist routes in the Kawaguchi area. Still, there were very few tourists at the shrine, and I wondered why- this place has everything to offer if you are looking for a calm and serene atmosphere.

Entrance to the Kawaguchi Asama Shrine

The giant Japanese cedar trees around the shrine were the highlight. A few of them are over 1,200 years old! Two trees growing side by side (futahashira) are believed to bring luck in matchmaking. As one of the many 'Asama' shrines dedicated to Mt. Fuji, the deity worshipped here represents the goddess of volcanoes and Mt. Fuji. This site is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site as a part of "Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration". An annual festival is celebrated here, which I missed during my visit. Nevertheless, I preferred the quiet creaking of the ancient cedars than any celebration at that moment.

After spending some time at the shrine, I began my ascent to Tenku-no Torii, which offers a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji. I had discovered this spot on Instagram, and a few minutes into the climb, I realized that many influencers had probably driven up the hill instead. However, this was the closest I had been to nature in the past few days, so I gave it my all.  The weather was ideal after the rain, and my only concern was that clouds might block the view of Mt. Fuji from the top.

The start of the trail from the shrine

The path was slightly tiring and slippery, especially since I wasn't well prepared for a post-rain hike. Still the view of Mt. Fuji from the top was something I absolutely didn't want to miss—especially on a day with a clear sky! There were no cedar trees along the way, which disappointed me a little. I saw a few tourists here and there, and certainly some at the top, but far fewer than I had expected. The relative quiet made the climb more enjoyable.

Trail to the Tenku-no Torii

After about 30 to 45 minutes, I reached the Torii gates, which have been a place of worship since 2019. No wonder it's called Tenku-no Torii, meaning "Torii gate in the sky". From here, one can get a picturesque view of Mt. Fuji framed perfectly through the Torii gates. The aim behind this spot was to build a place of worship at a distance (yohai), reached through climbing (tohai) and spiritual training (shugen). I loved this aspect of the shrine—the notion that ultimate worship could be attained through effort and connection with nature.

Tenku-no Torii with Mt. Fuji in the background

Of course, once you reach the top, a picture of yourself with this perfect backdrop is mandatory! 😉 Although I was slightly annoyed that access to this "private land" required a fee, I was ultimately happy—it was well worth the visit. I was lucky to see Mt. Fuji in all its glory before the clouds swallowed the scene a little later. I even managed to capture a picture of the towering Torii with Mt. Fuji in the background—just like a Windows wallpaper 💗

After hiking back down the trail, I spent some time by the small garden near the shrine (not a Zen garden—I always cringe when influencers call it that!). I even considered staying longer, as this turned out to be the best part of my time in Yamanashi Prefecture. 

While most tourists come here just for the view of Mt. Fuji, I felt something more. This place wasn't even on my bucket list, but it ended up becoming one of my most memorable experiences.

The historic buildings of Cesky Krumlov

 

In this post, I describe some of the highlights that I found as interesting while visiting the township of Cesky Krumlov (Český Krumlov) in the Czech Republic. Situated to the north of the town as a series of buildings, the State Castle, preserving many historical artifacts and being listed as an important UNESCO Heritage Site, was built and modified from the 14th to 19th century. The tower and each of the five courtyards took me through the Gothic and Renaissance history of the castle and the town itself.

View of the State Castle Tower from one of the streets

After the courtyards lie the castle grounds, which was nice to have a stroll during early spring. The garden, built in the 18th century, can be accessed even without a ticket to the castle. There is a fountain at the centre with a large sculpture of Neptune, the sea god. 

Garden on the rear side of the State Castle

On the other side of the castle is the Cloak Bridge, which could be assessed from the interior of the castle as well as from the town border. In my previous post, I described the nice view that I enjoyed from the top of the Cloak Bridge. This three-storeyed arched bridge connected the courtyards of the castle. Below the bridge, there are small, winding roads that I took to walk along both  sides of the flowing river. 

View of the Cloak Bridge

The town square of Cesky Krumlov is a pretty, central square that was easy to access. Even on a cloudy day, there were people chatting inside coffee shops situated close to the square. A mix of Renaissance and Baroque homes set aside winding streets leading to the square was an impressive sight. The town also features a Marian plague column.

Town square  of Cesky Krumlov

On the way to the Monastery of the Minorites, which was situated not far from the entrance of the State Castle, I saw artisan shops having a historical importance. The shops are not open at all times during the day, so some planning is required to watch a blacksmith or other artisans at work. There was also interesting architecture in the street of Latrán, where I stopped to admire. 

Artisan shops in the streets of Cesky Krumlov

There are always plenty of activities at the monastery, but I wasn't lucky to witness any of them. At the time of Christmas and even later, village fairs are common. This medieval monastery complex was built in mid-14th century and is situated slightly away from the streets of the town. A visit to this place gave me information about the history of the monastery and also the town itself. After the monastery, I went further north towards one of the bridges hosting the Budweis Gate (Budějovická brána), which is the only survivor among the nine entrances to the town. 

The Monastery of the Minorites

Shops near the castle gates were entertaining tourists, and I was particularly interested in a candy shop where they sold candies resembling small rocks (that kindled the geologist in me). Nearby was a shop selling gemstones, and I saw a polished greenish glass called Moldavite formed by a meteoritic impact in southern Germany. As it was a rare gem, many tourists were interested in buying a piece.

There was always something to see on the roads of this town. Small coffee shops and vintage restaurants stacked side by side on the cobbled streets, shops selling wooden toys and puppets, occasionally passing over bridges crossing the river, frequent church bells from the main church - all these have made my day. A rare sight was a small library in the form of a telephone booth, from which people could take out books for leisurely reading. In the modern world, everything about this small town felt like going back in time. 

Something that haunted me slightly was how a few bears, that were kept for public viewing near the entrance of the castle, were treated. As bears were part of the castle's history, it made sense to have a display, but what revolted me was how malnourished and unhappy the bears looked. This killed my mood for sure, but apart from that, every part of the town gave me good spirits.

Once I saw this small town, I could understand why many of my European friends wanted to visit here. With its medieval feel and European charm, Cesky Krumlov will remain on my list of favorites and will continue to be a dream place for many people to explore and leave them in good spirits, like me 💖

Through the winding, cobbled streets of Cesky Krumlov

After a break, in this new post, I am writing about my experience while visiting the pretty, but not quite popular township of Cesky Krumlov (Český Krumlov) in the Czech Republic. Situated in the South Bohemian region on the shores of the Vltava River, this place will definitely be one of your favorites in Europe upon visiting!

There are not many highlights in this town, unlike Prague for example, but it gives much more a wholesome experience of a Czech town than any other. All the important tourist spots can be seen in one day, but can you feel the essence of this elegant, little town already? 

The main highlights include the Cesky Krumlov Castle, the Cloak Bridge, the Monastery of the Minorites, and the St. Vitus Church. These spots will be described in detail in my next post, while this post will give you a feeling of this vintage townscape.

The best feeling that I got during my trip to this town was that of relaxation. There are a large number of old, cobbled streets spread around that I and my friends explored with ease. Strolling around early in the morning when not many tourists are around, having a nice coffee at one of these small cafes in a corner while not bothered about time- these constitute my idea of travel. Due to this reason, visiting Cesky Krumlov turned out to be more like a relaxing break for me.

View of the Castle Tower from one of the streets

The river Vltava meanders throughout beneath the town. Towards the north-western side of the town, we crossed the river and could see the Cloak Bridge a few meters away. I particularly liked this small bridge that took us to the larger Cloak Bridge because we could see the river slowly brushing aside the basement rocks of the town, on top of which all the roofed buildings are neatly stacked.  

View of the town from the bridge on the way to the Cloak Bridge

The Cesky Krumlov Castle constitutes a large area with multiple buildings and courtyards. Giving glimpses of Renaissance and Baroque architecture prevalent in the 17th century, the different tours across the various buildings of the castle are recommended to understand the historical background of this town. Apart from this, the castle gives stunning views of the town from a different perspective! 

View of the town from one of the viewing terraces of the castle

The most interesting historical site is the castle itself, from which you can see the St. Vitus Church and other important buildings already from far. The Castle Tower, situated on the other end of the castle offers a view from even higher up if you are ready to climb some stairs up the tower. 

View of the St. Vitus Church from the Cesky Krumlov Castle

There are a variety of things to do in the town, and I would suggest staying in this charming town for two days to experience the nightlife here as well, apart from the tourist spots. This small town is more vibrant during late evenings, and the cobbled streets are full of people talking and drinking. There are multiple choices for tasting traditional food, which is also cheaper when compared to Prague. I love different varieties of soups from the country, so this was my chance to try my favorite ones!

Traditional soup with bread served as a bowl

A traditional restaurant that I found as interesting in the old town is Krčma šatlava, which blends with the mood of the winding, cobbled streets, and the dim yellow lighted by numerous hanging lanterns outside. Apart from this restaurant where having a wholesome dinner lifts your mood completely, there are also cafes at different spots in this old town, where you can enjoy a nice coffee on a typical afternoon. 

The interiors of an old town restaurant Krčma šatlava