Ôharai : purification rite

There is no way you went visiting a temple or a shrine in Japan without seing those little house with a bassin.

Those are called chōzuya or temizuya (手水舎)
Before entering the Shaden (社殿 : main building) of a Shinto sanctuary your are supposed to purify yourself from all sins and faults.

For this, you fill up the Hihaku (柄杓 :  laddle) with water.
Your first pour water on your left hand, then the right hand before putting water on your mouth and finally, slowly raising the Hikashu vertically to wash it and left it pure for next user.
This purification rite is called Ôharai (お祓い). It is actually a short simplified version of a proper purification rite which was usually performed in a river or in the sea.

The Chôzuya or Temizuya are very often shapped as dragon.
The can also be simply carved in stones ....
... and then sometimes you get to discover an unusual shape :

The beautiful Lotus Bassin of Araiyakushi Baishoin

The rare cow shapped from a little temple near Kyoto imperial castel

Dragons Chôzuya of Tokyo  

Daihigan-ji Temple

Daihigan-ji Temple

大悲願寺



● Address : 134 Yokosawa, Akiruno, Tokyo 190-0141
〒190-0141 東京都あきる野市 横沢 134
● Transportation : Musashi-itsukaichi (武蔵五日市駅 -Itsukaichi line)　(+15min walk)
● Web : Via Akiruno City OHP
● Entry fees : free

● Event : Setsubon ceremony in early February
Shirahagi Festival at the end of september.
("Shirahagi" white flower bloom, from mid-September to October beginning)
● Goshuin :  Ok (When the calligraph is here or you can ask for the paper version)

☆  The legend says that the temple has been founded in 1191 when the warlord Hirayama Kikasane  invited a monk fromd Daigojisan temple. At the Edo period the temple receive an official red seal (shoin) from the Shogun.

In 1794, the statue of Kannondo is raised and between 1824 and 1827 the path leading to the statue is built with all the statue representing Buddhas, Kannon, Warriors and Demons god.
You can still follow this short path behin the temple and go through the symbolique pilgrim for kannondo. 


If you take your time to look around you will be able to enjoy the numerous painting and wood crafting of the temple.
Don't miss out the little garden in front of the living place attached to the temple and most important, the little garden behind those buildings, at the foot of Kannondo's path.
Those cute japanese gardens with pond and stone sculpture are looked after by the 93 years old man owning the temple.

★ This is quite a big temple, bodering the forest almost not in the city anymore. Even if a bit old (it would probably desserve a bit more of maintainance but I am not sure there is the budget required) , the quieｔ surrounding gives the temple a calm and mysterious aura and it still looks like a pretty lively place busy with festivals, matsuri, singing performance and No-theatre representations ... you will have to go there on the right moment though.
The people working to maintain the temple are a warm and cheerful team of smiling grannys and grandpas ! If you are lucky, you could easily get to exchange a few words (in japanese) with them !
★ 8/10

 

main court

main court 2

paintings and wood work

 

Some of the statues along the path

Pond in the garden behind the living area

 

Small moss garden

Geographical Index

Geographical Index

► Tokyo 23 wards
 ● Nakano
 ● Shinjuku
 ● Shibuya
 ● Suginami
 ● Setagaya
● Zôshigaya

► Akiruno (1~2H from Tokyo)
 ● Akigawa Valley

The River of Akigawa Valley

The River of Akigawa Valley

秋川谷の川

● Station : Musashi-itsukaichi (武蔵五日市駅 -Itsukaichi line)
● From Shinjuku : 1H~1H30
● Journey : 
。Fastest (660￥) : Seibu Shinjuku Line => Koidara [change] Seibu Hijima Line => Haijima [change] Itsukaichi Line => Musashi-Itsukaichi (last stop)
。JR line only (800￥): Chuo Line => Tachikawa [change] Ome line / Itsukaichi Line => Musashi-Itsukaichi (last stop)
●  Park Fee : Free


☆ So this is a bit redundant because "Akigawa" means "Automn river". But there is more to discover than the river in Akigawa Valley, but let's start by the river around wich gave it's name to the area.

As far as  I know, though there are plenty of river in Japan, there aren't much river where you can go for swimming and especially river that are fitted out on the purpose.
But only 5min walk from Musashi-itsukaichi you'll find a park for you to spread your bathtower and go for a swimm. There are also a lot of fisherman up the river. The water is very clean. There In the park, there are a barbecue area and toilets available.

The things you have to know before going on your trip :
- it gets super crowded in summer
- there are no trees under which you can set your camp to avoid the sun
- If you go away from the crowd, remember you are into the wild so there will be a few encounters possible such as fish, heron and snakes.

★ You are a little bit in the town but a really small mountain town and the few houses afar won't be a turn down to enjoy a pleasant bath in the beautiful water of akigawa. My advise would be to plan a whole day trip half hiking / half swimming. Be careful if you start with the hike to not arrive to late in the afternoon or the water will get cold as the sun goes down (Japan is the country of rising sun ! be early !) There are a lot of hiking trails and road to to some temple sight-seeing in the area.

★8/10

BBQ area on the left. Note that I was there in october so there was no one.

A little bit up the BBQ area, nearing the fishermen place.

Very clear water ! ! !

Rhabdophis Tigrinus
It is a common snake in Asia, especially in mountain-river area.
Though it is venomous snake (so leave him in peace !!!) also remember that snakes are at least as scared of you (you are all tall and fat ! )
And again, I was there in october with no one around. They usualy don't hang around in the middle of the humans. Not very fond of BBQ probably ....

Shinjuku historical museum

Shinjuku historical museum

新宿歴史博物館

● Address : 22 Saneicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0008
〒160-0008　東京都新宿区三栄町22番地 
● Transportation : Yotsuya (JR, Marunouchi Line & Namboku Line) exit 2 - Yotsuya-sanchome (Marunouchi Line) exit 4 - Akebonobashi (Shinjuku Line) exit A4 
● Web : http://www.regasu-shinjuku.or.jp/rekihaku/
● Entry fees : general exhibitions for adults 300￥ - students 100￥
500￥ for special exhibitions + general exhibition combined ticket
● Hours : from 9:30 to 17:30 (last entry 17:00)
Closed every 2nd and 4th monday of the month
Closed on may 12th
Closed from december 29 to january 3rd.

☆ A bit apart from Shinjuku's crazy heart, in a pleasant and quite surrounding, you will find the Shinjuku Historical Museum. This local museum will tell you the story of one of Tokyo main district from prehistory to nowadays. Through the story of shinjuku you'll have a glimpse of history of Japan.
You can even take a picture with (or in) a reconstructions of an Edo-period shop, in an old train car or in a traditionnal japanese house of the beginning of the 20th century.

You will be offered a pamphlet in english (or korean, or chinese) at the entry of the museum to navigate through the display case . The plates of the permanent exhibition are also in english.

★ You might have found the Edo-Tokyo museum on your Tourist guide books. Save yourself 300￥and wandering around time and go straight to Shinjuku Historical Museum. You can have a clearer sum up of the informations in a less crowded place. I've been delighted by this small museum and the welcoming helpfull employees are sure appreciated.
★ 8/10

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