Oct 2, 2014 - 1 min read

Gokoku Shrine in Kofu

Teapot and hearts on a stone lantern

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Hearts and a teapot decorate this stone lantern... could it be it an Alice in Wonderland theme?

Path from the torii at the entrance

Wash your hands here by scooping some water and dribbling it over your hands

The approach to the shrine

The numerous small posts are not usually there, but the shrine was preparing for a festival

Perhaps the approaching festival involves fire?

Don't touch my ball!

Unusual grain in the wood of the sliding doors

Wooden lanterns by the steps

The writing on the lantern says Enko-in, the name of a nearby temple

Unusual black torii

Thick moss grows under the trees

Almost hidden in the trees

One side to ascend and the other to descend ...keep left?

The stone lanterns were much taller than I am.

Apparently Gokoju Shrine, located on the Inishie Michi trail near Enko-in, is locally famous for cherry blossoms. However there were none of those when I visited in August. The shrine seemed to be gearing up for some kind of festival, possibly to do with Obon. I read that the shrine is associated with Yamanashi's war dead.

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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