The Mameda Shopping Street is located in Hita City. This charming shopping street features an elegant and tasteful townscape lined with buildings that date back to the Edo period (1603 to 1868). The preserved atmosphere of old Japan creates scenes reminiscent of a bygone era. With around 100 shops, the street offers souvenir stores, cafés, and restaurants. In fact there is absolutely something here for everyone, with my favorite being the Local Sake Brewery selling incredible varieties of Japanese Sake and other types of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.
For a special experience, you can stroll the streets in a rented kimono, or relax and take in the sights on a rickshaw ride. The area also includes museums and a Soy Sauce factory allowing visitors to casually explore Japanese history and culture. During the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) season, the street comes alive with splendid displays of traditional dolls, adding a festive and colorful touch to the entire town.
On weekends the crowds can get somewhat busy but in comparison to Gion in Kyoto you will not have to fight the crowds to get to your locations of choice. On a weekday you will basically have the whole street to yourself and of course the local shop keepers will work extremely hard for your benefit to show you incredible hospitality and their extensive selection of local hand made artisan products.
It's a hidden gem alright and you will not be disappointed to visit, in fact you will not need or want to go back to Kyoto as there will be everything you need here.
Please check out the map below to see more about the Mameda Shopping Street.
Please click on these photos below to enlarge:
This is Mameda Street
How old is this building?
Traditions are everywhere
Lots to see and do
Rice Crackers
Wide streets
Traditional gifts
Old paintings anyone?
Historical significance
Japanese Sake galore
Old authentic buildings
Giant Japanese traditional footwear
Hina Matsuri Dolls
Please watch this video below to learn more about the Maeda Shopping Street in Hita, Oita Prefecture:
This is the site of one of the best known legends of Japanese mythology. The story is about Amaterasu, thesun goddess. She became so outraged by her brother's cruel pranks that she hid herself in a cave, refusing to come out and depriving the world of her life-giving light.
All of the other gods and goddesses gathered to lure her out. They tried everything they could think of to no avail until one goddess performed an outrageously dance that caused the other gods to roar with laughter. Amaterasu left the cave to see what all the fun was about, and in doing so she returned her light to the world.
Just outside central Takachiho the Amano Iwato Shrine was built near the cave where Amaterasu is said to have hid herself away. A short walk down the road from Amano Iwato Shrine is a path that leads down to the river. After a few minutes on this path you will see neat little piles of stones stacked along the river by previous visitors to mark their pilgrimage to this incredible power spot. Farther along, the stacks become more numerous until you are surrounded by thousands of them as far as you can see.
Eventually the path leads to a simple shrine inside a cave. This is said to be the cave where the gods and goddesses met to discuss their strategy of luring Amaterasu out of hiding. The natural beauty of the cave and river lined by countless stacks of stones make Amano Iwato a place not to miss.
I know it is only mythology but the story makes so much sense on all levels, The areas absolute beauty and natural significance is unparalleled. The longer of live in Japan the more I realize that I do have a better understanding of the basic Shinto Principles that most Japanese follow even today. As the west gets further and further away from religion and how we should treat our fellow man, the Japanese seem to be doing the opposite, thanks to the many Shinto norms and teachings.
The only problem I have with this attraction is that most of my guests don't want to leave. I have to pry them away so that we can get to our next attraction. Its a hard place to say good bye to and I am always in aware of what I have just witnessed every time I visit. It never gets boring!
Please check out the Amano Iwato Shrine and Cave here on a map below:
Please click on these photos below to enlarge:
The scene
Approaching the Cave
Such a surreal place
One of the gods
Autumn is an amazing time to be here
The Shrine
Always has many visitors
Power spot indeed!
The Cave
PICTURESQUE
The winding river
A quick prayer is worth it!
Please click on these videos below to see more about the Amano Iwato Shrine and Cave:
Just thought I would give you an update on how everything has been progressing this year. The team (Dion, Jon, Elisa and myself) have been extremely busy over the last 6 months and as we speak are generally fully booked for the whole of November and most of December. Obviously we are currently in one of the peak seasons in Japan as a result of the amazing cool weather and subsequent Autumn foliage. This respite from the draining summer heat is more than welcome and its nice not to be drenched in sweat after a 10 minute stop at a local attraction.
My daughter Elisa, has slowly but surely started building up her clients in the Tokyo, Yokohama and Shimizu regions. I am careful not to give her too much part time work as she still needs to focus on her studies and bring home the good grades. She might not LOVE working for me (I can be a hard boss and father when necessary) but the flexibility that touring offers and the fact that she is a strong communicator and effective translator has really allowed her to showcase her skills.
Here are a few photos of her in action.
I am sure you will appreciate her efforts and passion to promote Japan to the world.
In Nagasaki at the Hario Radio Towers
Ready to explore at the Akiyoshido Caves
Meeting the clients at a Tokyo hotel
Yatai food carts in Fukuoka
Having a bite to eat on her walking tours in Tokyo
Kunimigaoka Is an observatory point in Miyazaki prefecture located close to Takachiho town and stands at an altitude of approximately 500 m above sea level. At the viewing platform, you pretty much have a 360° panoramic view of amazing scenery for as far as the I can see. On a clear day, you can see Mount Aso to the west and the Takachiho basin to the east and it really is one of those amazing places that will leave you spellbound and wondering why you’ve never heard of this place before.
Legend has it that the grandson of Emperor Jimmu, the first Shinto god that left heaven to take his place on Earth, viewed this area of Takachiho from this exact spot and hence there are commemorative stones and statues to remember this very important part of Japanese mythology.
All I can say is that it is an incredible place and as long as the weather gods are in our favor, it’s an amazing start to the day. It's just the beginning, the views and scenery will just keep getting better and better and better
This is absolutely God’s country.
Come and see the Kunimigaoka Observatory below on a map:
Click on the pictures below to enlarge:
A view for the ages
Non stop beauty
Well signposted
This is truly God's country
A rough translation
The famous swing
Protectors of the land
A place to say your blessings
Please check these videos below to see more of the Kunimigaoka Observatory:
