Day 423: December 29, 2022
Thursday – Solo Walk in Kaizuka City
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| The view from Mr. Toshi's house in Kumatori |
Good morning everyone. Today is a beautiful morning here in Kumatori (熊取町) in Osaka Prefecture. The weather forecast said that it would be sunny the whole day.
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| Strolled around Tsubasagaoka before heading out to Kaizuka City |
That’s why I made sure to grab this opportunity to go out and do a solo stroll from Mr. Toshi’s place to the neighboring city of Kaizuka (貝塚市), which is approximately an hour away, to visit Mizumadera.
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| 7-Eleven Kumatori Odaniminami |
Since I wasn’t able to eat breakfast, I stopped by 7-Eleven Kumatori Odaniminami along the way and bought a sandwich and a hot cup of coffee for breakfast.
From there, I turned right to Highway 170. Shockingly, the part of the highway in the Odaniminami District was narrow and quite dangerous. There were some parts where sidewalks were non-existent. That’s why I had no other choice but to share the road with the cars. It was the same case when I got to Mizuma District as there was a sharp right turn near Mizumadera. It was a blind curve but the vehicles passing there were so fast and frequent that I almost turned back. Luckily, there was a small path near the man-made pond that reminded me of the Arashiyama Bamboo Path (but dirtier). I followed it and found myself in Mizuma Park.
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| One of the bridges that crosses the Kibitani River going to Mizumadera |
Mizuma Park is a vast tranquil park with several pathways leading to different parts of Highway 170. One of those pathways led directly to Mizumadera. However, since the part of the park that leads to Mizumadera is on a hill, visitors need to go down the steps to reach the temple.
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| Korin no Taki (降臨の瀧) |
Upon reaching Mizumadera, I was surprised that there were plenty of people setting up booths on the temple grounds. It turns out that they were preparing for the upcoming hatsumode. Regardless, I still explored the temple grounds and even got a goshuin.
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| Aizendo |
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| Aizendo is known as the shrine for lovers |
Before leaving, I visited the nearby Aizendo, which is a shrine for lovers. I didn't get its goshuin but I took plenty of pictures.
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| Aizen Bridge (愛染橋) |
It took the same route that I had going to Mizumadera. That meant that I passed through Mizuma Park again to avoid the busy highway.
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| Walking back home to Kumatori |
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| I saw this small shrine along the way |
Since I was already familiar with the route, I got back home in less than an hour.
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| Mr. Toshi helped Ella with her Japanese subject homework |
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| Rest time for everyone |
I took the opportunity to rest and help Ella with her homework. However, since I wasn't that knowledgeable in Japanese, Mr. Toshi stepped in to help her. 😄
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| Here's our dinner for today |
That night, Ms. Akiko and her family arrived to celebrate the holidays with us.Overall, it was a day well spent as I got to visit a historical place again and even got a goshuin for my collection. Although no travel plans are coming up, I'm looking forward to the usual bonding with our Japanese family. Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 61
You're lucky to have kind Japanese friends.
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