On my last blog, I shared the beauty of Kamikōchi and Kurobe Dam.
Now, here's the other half of my Nagano tour:
Togakushi Shrine & Zenko-Ji Temple
If Kamikōchi could heal because of its beauty, Togakushi Shrine could somehow energize spiritual batteries.
Power spots are a thing in Japan, and this place is one of them. According to Japanese mythology, a long time ago, the Goddess of Sun hid in a cave and made the world dark. To bring back the light, another god opened the stone door of the cave and threw it. This door flew to Togakushi, which literally means "hiding behind a door."
When you enter the place, you will see lots of old and tall trees, which I think is very spiritual. You will also walk in a trail leading to the main shrine.
Just a few tips (based on my experience) if you will visit the area:
First, avoid wearing black or any dark-colored clothes. These will attract flying insects like bees, and you never want to ruin the peacefulness of the place because of insect attacks.
Second, be sure you wear your best walking shoes and have a healthy body since the trail is quite long.
A long walk will make anyone hungry. Because of this, people usually eat Togakushi soba after visiting the shrine. One of the recommended restaurants here is Togakushi Buckwheat Yamaguchiya. The soba in this place will surely make you feel full. Their soba soft cream is a must-try too.
After that filling lunch, I went to Zenko-Ji Temple. It's one of the most prominent temples in Japan. Inside is the Buddha statue that was first ever brought to this country.
I walked around the temple and went towards the Niomon gate. This gate leads to the beautiful streets of Nakamise Dori, the temple's shopping street.
Whether you believe in power spots or not, Togakushi Shrine and Zenkoji Temple are worth the visit.
Karuizawa
Another place that I instantly fell in love with is the town of Karuizawa. Many people from big cities built their second home in this area.
The first spot that I visited is Shiraito Falls located in a beautiful forest north of Karuizawa. The water from the waterfalls looks like white threads, and people could relax and be refreshed just by watching it. Shiraito means "white thread" in Japanese.
There's also another Shiraito Falls in Shizuoka prefecture which is also exceptionally beautiful. Don't be confused between them.
Shiraito Falls Karuizawa
The next spot that I went to is the mesmerizing churches of Karuizawa. One is called Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Stone Church, and the other one is the Karuizawa Kogen Church. Both churches are solemn, and each has its unique beauty. Either church can be a nice place to get married.
I went inside both churches, but visitors are not allowed to take photos. The interior of the stone church looks simple, but it's very artistic. It was very awe-inspiring. I especially love the window by the altar. I felt that I was talking to God directly as I pray quietly in my seat.
The Kogen Church, on the other hand, has a rustic feel to it. It was also very peaceful inside. And, it's more similar to the other churches that I have visited in the past.
I felt calm after praying in both churches. Unlike in the Philippines, it's difficult for me to go to church regularly here in Japan because of the schedule and distance. So, I was glad to find these beautiful churches.
Along the way, I spotted Sawaya, a famous jam shop in Karuizawa. The shop staff gave me some sample jams, and they're good. I bought three kinds - peach, blueberry, and milk honey salt. I got an apricot salad dressing, too.
Near Sawaya, there's a fancy cafe which serves Sawaya jam with their dishes. I went there, and the meal was lovely.
Finally, I had the chance to visit The Mampei Hotel. It's one of Japan's classic hotels. Staying here can cost a fortune, so I just went there for some tea time.
The Mampei Hotel is where John Lennon and his wife used to stay whenever they were in Japan. They said John Lennon himself introduced the recipe of the milk tea served at the hotel's cafe.
After visiting some spots, I understood why people would want to live here. Many places in Karuizawa are just relaxing and calming. I wish I could have a second home here, too!
Nagano prefecture has fascinating nature spots. The classic vibes of many places add to the charm of the whole area.
Which place here have you visited? How was your experience?
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