Special feature on shrines and temples you want to visit on a rainy day

Three Temples and Shrines Want to Visit on Rainy Days

Author：Su

Spectacular! The Ceiling Paintings of Gyokuruzan Chosenji Temple

Perfect Days for Worship in the Rain

Rainy days can often make us feel a bit gloomy. Many popular outing spots are designed with sunny weather in mind, but shrines and temples have their own charm on rainy days.
In Shinto, rain is considered to purify impurities, and in Buddhism, it is likened to the teachings of the Buddha, nurturing all living beings.
When you think about it this way, doesn't your mood brighten up?
Allow me to introduce my top 3 recommendations for "Temples and Shrines Want to Visit on Rainy Days"!

１．Gokokuzan Sogenji Temple (Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture)
２．Chiryu Shrine (Chiryu City, Aichi Prefecture)
３．Gyokuruzan Chosenji Temple (Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture)

１．Gokokuzan Sogenji Temple (Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture)

Sogenji Temple - Okayama Domain Ikeda clan's Bodaiji

Sogenji Temple is the Bodaiji (bodhi temple) of the Ikeda family. It was founded by Tsunamasa Ikeda, who were the second lords of the Bizen Okayama domain. The temple accepts practicing monks from overseas, and during my visit, I witnessed a foreign monk sweeping the temple grounds.
Allow me to introduce the highlights of this temple.

①Calm Heart, Lotus at the Gate

• 
  The pure lotus stretches its stem from the mud./div>

Next to the gate of Sogenji Temple, there is a lotus pond, with lotus plants extending their large leaves.
The flowering season is in August, but even outside of this season, the water droplets gathered on the lotus leaves, rolling and shimmering, create a beautiful sight.
There is a saying, "The lotus comes out of the mud and does not stain in the mud."
True to this saying, the lotus flower is a symbol in Buddhism. It represents the idea of reaching enlightenment guided by the teachings of Buddha, even amidst a world filled with worldly desires.
Inside the gate, there are also lotus plants, evoking feelings of moving away from the mundane world and approaching the pure land.

②Delicately Admiring the Beautiful Shanmen

• 
  The green maple leaves shimmer at the Shanmen.

Nestled within a grove of cedar trees, the Shanmen emanates the essence of Japanese beauty. It remains unchanged from the time of its construction, with a Buddhist altar inside. At the center, there is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha with attendants on both sides, surrounded by sixteen arhats.
Even from the outside, the gate exhibits exquisite and delicate craftsmanship. The delicate leaves of the green maple make a breathtakingly beautiful contrast against the dark Shanmen, a sight to behold.
Sogenji Temple is known for its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, and it's a place I would love to visit during those seasons!

③The Beloved Garden of a Great Ruler

• 
  A large pond where boathouses are arranged.
• 
  Flowers of various kinds bloom throughout the seasons.

After paying your respects at the main hall, please put 100 yen into the collection box and proceed along the hedge to explore the garden.
This garden is also magnificent. It's a garden fitting for the temple established by the great ruler, Tsunamasa Ikeda, who also created Korakuen, one of the three major gardens.
The spacious pond, where carp swim, is equipped with boathouses, and you can enjoy seasonal flowers such as weeping cherry blossoms, wisteria, peonies, and bellflowers. Despite being a daimyo's garden, Korakuen, built by Tsunamasa Ikeda, prioritizes the beauty of rural landscapes over ornate plantings.
This reflects Tsunamasa Ikeda's personal taste, and it is said that he held a banquet to reward the vassals who were involved in the completion of Korakuen.
He was a great ruler who improved the region plagued by floods through large-scale water management, and he carried out land reclamation to save the domain from financial difficulties.
His character is also reflected in the elegant yet unpretentious garden of Sogenji Temple.

２．Chiryu Shrine (Chiryu City, Aichi Prefecture)

Chiryu Shrine, located along the old Tokaido Road.

Chiryu Shrine is situated right along the old highway in Chiryu, a town that prospered as a post town on the Tokaido Road. It was famous for its divine protection against mamushi snakes, and travelers on the Tokaido Road used to carry amulets from Chiryu Shrine in their pockets as they walked.。
Here are some recommended points about Chiryu Shrine!

①The Story of "One-Eyed Koi" and the Koi Fountains

• 
  The Mitarashiike where the folktale of the one-eyed carp is passed down.

In the precincts of the shrine, there is a Mitarashiike with many carp swimming, and a fountain shaped like a one-eyed carp.
The name "Chiryu" originally was written as "Chirifu", which is related to this pond.
In the past, it was called "Chirifu Daimeijin" (name of God).
According to the old tale,
"A wealthy man prayed to Chirifu Daimeijin for his daughter who was blind due to illness. His prayer reached the heavens, and the divine carp of Chirifu Daimeijin gave one of its eyes to the daughter. As a result, her illness was cured, and she regained her sight. That's why the carp in this pond has one eye."
Chiryu Shrine is a 1,300-year-old shrine. It's the perfect place to visit on rainy days when there are fewer people.

②Exploring Historical Sites around Chiryu Shrine!

• 
  Blooming irises in abundance.
• 
  Meiji-era western style mansion.

After paying your respects, it's delightful to stroll along the roadside pine forest, explore the ruins of Chiryu Castle, and admire the stone lanterns on street corners with a sightseeing map in hand.
Adjacent to Chiryu Shrine, the Iris Park hosts the Iris Festival every year from May to early June. Clusters of Japanese skunk cabbage and irises, both favoring wetland habitats, thrive beautifully in the rain.
Within the park stands the retro Western-style mansion, "Youseikan," which was built in the 18th year of the Meiji era. The mansion holds historical significance, as it once served as a rest stop for Emperor Meiji himself.
Additionally, there is a very splendid warehouse of floats situated along the old approach to Chiryu Shrine, so be sure to take a look.
The festival of Chiryu Shrine is renowned for its bunraku and karakuri puppet performances on floats, a spectacle that is said to be quite rare throughout Japan!

• 
  Komatsuya Honke, specializing in ooanmaki.
• 
  Do you prefer white or black sweet bean paste?

When it comes to Chiryu City, it's all about Ooanmaki! This sweet treat has been a local specialty since the Edo period, and it was even served to feudal lords.
Komatsuya Honke was originally a tea shop located along the approach to Chiryu Shrine. It evolved into a Japanese confectionery in 1889, perfecting the distinctive shape of Ooanmaki that we know today.
The current proprietor is the fifth generation. Each Ooanmaki is imprinted with the name of "Komatsuya Honke" and a cute stamp of Chiryuppi, the mascot of Chiryu City.
With both white and black an option available, each offers a reliably delicious flavor. In the summer, they also recommend "Ice Anmaki", where the ooanmaki is cut into pieces and frozen before serving. A delightful treat to cool off with!

３．Gyokuruzan Chosenji Temple (Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture)

• 
  The Shanmen of Gyokuruzan Chosenji Temple.

Finally, let me introduce Gyokuruzan Chosenji Temple.
Located in Narai-juku, one of the post towns along the Nakasendo route, this Buddhist temple is nestled amidst the traditional townscape that still retains the charm of the old post town.
This spot is especially worth visiting on a rainy day when the ambiance is even more atmospheric.

①The Historic Shanmen and Palanquin Narrating the History of Narai-juku

• 
  An actual palanquin that was used.

Gyokuruzan Chosenji Temple was founded during the Nanboku-cho period. It has experienced multiple destructions and reconstructions due to wars and fires. The current Shanmen is said to have been relocated from the gate of the honjin (the main lodging for high-ranking individuals such as daimyo, hatamoto, and imperial envoys) in Narai-juku.
Inside the main hall, a palanquin hangs from the ceiling. This palanquin was actually used by its owner, Shichinojou Fukusaki, a retainer of the Shimazu clan.
He served as the advance guard for the daimyo's procession traveling from Edo to Satsuma-han. Unfortunately, he fell ill and passed away while staying in Narai-juku. He was buried at Chosenji Temple. The long journey must have taken a toll on his health.
While the time-consuming and costly sankin-kōtai system, which required daimyo to alternate their residence between Edo and their domain while their wives and children were held in Edo as hostages, served to reduce the financial resources of each daimyo and control their economy. Although it was burdensome, it also brought significant benefits to local post towns.
Shichinojou Fukusaki's palanquin serves as a poignant reminder of the hardships endured and the prosperity brought by this system.

②The Watchful Eye of the Enormous Dragon Deity at Gyokuruzan Chosenji Temple

The Dragon God is watching over in all directions.

Chosenji Temple is famous for its splendid ceiling painting crafted by Hida artisans during the Meiji era.
Do make an effort to look straight up. It has an impressive presence!
The massive dragon, measuring 20 meters in length and 3.5 meters in width, is known as the "Eight-Direction Watching Dragon" because its eyes meet you from any angle.
The Dragon God serves as the guardian deity of the Buddhist teachings, watching over the practicing monks and visitors to Chosenji Temple.
Moreover, "Temple Cat" Rag-chan, a Ragdoll cat, is a popular resident of Chosenji Temple. If you're lucky, you might encounter him.
You can see his adorable appearance on the official website, so be sure to check it out.
I haven't met him in person yet, but I really want to!

③The Charming Streets of Narai-juku That Shine Even in the Rain

• 
  If it's raining, I'd like to walk with a traditional Japanese oil-paper umbrella.
• 
  The Matcha Latte at the Machiya Café Izumiya. It's superb!

After finishing your visit to Chosenji Temple, head to the preserved streets of Narai-juku, where the atmosphere of the post town remains intact.
The ambiance of the old townhouses soaked in the rain will surely be charming. I want to stroll with an umbrella in hand!
Maintaining this townscape to such an extent must require significant efforts from the local residents behind the scenes.
At the tourist information center, you can also experience making cypress chopsticks with a traditional branding iron (1,000 yen). (Reservation required)
There are plenty of places to enjoy in addition to souvenir shops, such as cafes renovated from traditional townhouses and kimono rental shops. In recent years, the number of foreign visitors has significantly increased.
In Narai-juku, apart from Chosenji Temple, there are many shrines and temples, including Shizume-jinja Shrine and Daihoji Temple.

I hope you enjoyed our selection of three shrines and temples to visit on a rainy day. Shigure (autumn rain), rinu (long spell of rain), ryouu (cool rain), konukaame (drizzle) ...
Japanese language has an incredibly rich vocabulary for rain, with some saying there are hundreds of different terms. A common sight at shrines and temples is the kusaritoi (rain chain), designed to enhance the aesthetic experience of raindrops trickling down.
Moreover, the Japanese have devised numerous ways to enjoy the rain, such as rain gardens and suikinkutsu (water koto cave). So, there's no need to stay indoors and say, "I'm bored!" because of the rain. Get ready with your favorite umbrella and waterproof rain shoes, and let's head out!