7. Motoise Sansha Shrines: Hidden in the Mystical Forest
Picture courtesy of Fukuchiyama City
Motoise Sansha is a complex of three ancient shrines surrounded by the mystical atmosphere of the forest at the foot of Mt. Oe. These shrines are thought to have been established 54 years earlier than Ise Jingu, one of the oldest and most influential shrines in Japan.
If you go past the Motoise Naiku Hall (pictured above), you’ll reach a peak called Himuro-ga-dake. At the summer solstice, the sun sets right above this peak. This mountain has been worshipped as the embodiment of the deity of wealth and crops.
Amanoiwato Shrine, located a little lower on the mountainside, is famous for being possible to access only by climbing the cliff using chains.
Picture courtesy of Fukuchiyama City
Motoise Geku, the Outer Shrine, stands out through its dignified architecture that seems to defy the centuries. It enshrines the guardian deity of wealth and crops.
8. Yakuno Woodware and Lacquerware Hall: Learn About Japan’s Lacquerware Tradition
The tradition of collecting lacquer from lacquer trees has a long tradition in Fukuchiyama’s Yakuno district. The Yakuno Woodware and Lacquerware Hall is a facility dedicated to this treasured culture, consisting of a shop, a gallery displaying artwork made with lacquer, a library with exhibits of materials and utensils related to Yakuno’s lacquer collecting culture, and a studio where visitors can have a firsthand experience of decorating objects using lacquer.
Picture courtesy of Woodland Kyoto DMO
Lacquer trees, called urushi-no-ki in Japanese, must be at least 10 years old before their sap can be collected to produce lacquer. The sap collection, as well as growing these trees to produce quality lacquer require specific skills and experience. You can learn more about this traditional occupation by viewing the exhibits in the library.
Japanese lacquerware is known for its high quality and durability. You can find and purchase products made by local artisans in the shop of the facility–from vessels and other kitchenware to tea ceremony utensils, elegant storage boxes, interior decoration items, and accessories.
If you have at least 30 minutes at your disposal, how about decorating a piece of lacquerware? You can choose from four courses that differ in terms of difficulty and required time. Decorating a simple plate with colored lacquer (photo above) is the light course and costs 1,540 yen.
A lacquerware artisan will teach you the basics of how to handle lacquer. After choosing and assembling various patterns and shapes, you’ll use your creativity to turn your lacquerware item into a piece that is one of a kind. Follow the artisan’s instruction carefully as fresh lacquer can cause a rash. After taking your lacquerware item home, you’ll be able to use it after three months.
