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| Kagawa Prefecture |
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Sakura Spots |
April |
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■Kotohiragu Shrine | Kotohira Town
Kotohiragu has rooted in many people as the "Kotohira-san of Sanuki" from a long time ago. About 1,000 cherry trees are beautifully arranged on the shrine grounds gathering attention of the worshippers visiting the shrine. Every year on April 10 the Ohka Festival (Cherry Flowers Fes) is held, which the priests, priestesses and dancers walk through the town with a branch of cherry tree telling the arrival of spring to Sanuki.
■Kotohiki Park | Kannonji City
In the west of Kanonji City lies the vast grounds of Kotohiki Park covering Mt.Kotohiki. Almost 500 Someiyoshino cherry trees continue to grow for 600 meters. As you climb the promenade up to the observatory at the top of the hill, you can get a grand view of the huge sand art of Kan-ei-tsu-ho coin. Kotohiki is also the 69th fudasho of the Shikoku Hallow Grounds. |
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Foliage Spots |
October - December |
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■Kankakei Gorge| Shoudo Town
More than 50 kinds of color-changing-plants color up the cliffs and mountainsides of the steep rocky mountain looking over the calm water of Seto Inland Sea. As the season deepens the colors spread slowly and beautifully from the peak down to the foot, and by the end of November to early December the entire mountain, moreover, the entire island turns into a marvelous mosaic of red and gold. At the peak of autumn foliage, golden leaves flutter gracefully as if they are dancing in the air resembling golden butterflies.
Kankakei is known for its scenic beauty which is included in one of the Three Canyon Scenic Beauties of Japan and the best way to soak in its beauty is probably to take the ropeway cutting through the deeply carved canyon. |
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| Prefectural Guide |
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Ritsurin Park
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Ritsurin Park is comprised of six ponds and thirteen miniature hills against the deep greenery of Mt. Shiun.
The
scenery is said to change with every step taken around the park.
It is a famous garden in the traditional feudal lord's
style of the Edo period which has been preserved in its original style until the present. |
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Kotohiragu / The Main Shrine
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This magnificent shrine is located half way up Zouzu Mountain.
This place has been known as a worship place for the "Omono Nushi no Okami" (Great God) and Sutoku Emperor.
The Shrine is also known as a guardian for the safe voyage, good health, agriculture, fishing, and development of the
nation. |
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Old Kompira play-Kanamaruza
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The oldest Kabuki Theater, which was built in 1835,
was designated as an important national cultural
asset.
The traditional style stage and facilities still
remain today just as they did in the old days.
Kompira Kabuki which used to be enthusiastically
received by visitors to Kotohiragu Shrine in the past,
has been restored extensively, and in every spring,
performances are still given here by currently
popular Kabuki actors.
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A Sand Picture "Kan-ei-Tsuho"
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"Kan-ei-Tsuho" is a gigantic sand picture of a coin drawn on the white sand of Ariake Beach.
It is 122m wide,
90m long, and 345m in perimeter.
It is said that the picture was completed in just one night to welcome the feudal lord of the area Takatoshi Ikoma,
who visited the territory in 1633.
Since then, the picture has been valuable to the citizens, and refurbished every
year in spring and fall by volunteers. |
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Shikoku Mura
(Shikoku Minka Museum)
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Shikoku Mura is a museum of rarely
found traditional buildings that were
brought from all over Shikoku and
rebuilt in the village for conservation.
Many of the buildings have been
designated as important cultural
properties.
For example, the Sato
Shime Goya (Sugar Press Hut), which
has the only conical roof in Japanese
architecture, and the Noson Kabuki
Butai (the Country Kabuki Theater) of
Shoudoshima Island. |
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