桑原 政則の「合 縁 奇 縁」

*japan-guide.com Candy Alley (菓子屋横丁, Kashiya Yokochō) is a little shopping street adjacent to the Warehouse District. It is lined by stores selling traditional Japanese sweets and cakes , which gave the alley its name. Among the treats sold are various candies, rice crackers, karinto (sugar coated, deep fried cookies), ice cream, and cakes made of red bean paste and sweet potatoes. Also available are small toys and accessories which make nice souvenirs to take home. Immediately following the Great Earthquake of 1923, Tokyo experienced a great shortfall in supply of Japanese sweets; orders made to the candy stores in Kashiya Yokocho thereby surged. At one point in the early Showa Period, more than 70 such stores existed. These days there remain just over 20, providing various delights for their customers. The Candy Alley is a wonderful place for trying traditional Japanese sweets, while experiencing a nostalgic atmosphere from past decades.

*japan-guide.com Kawagoe's Kitain (喜多院) is the head temple of the Tendai Sect in the Kanto Region . Among its halls are the only remaining palace buildings of the former Edo Castle. Originally part of a three-temple complex built in 830, Kitain flourished and became the main temple at the turn of the 17th century under the leadership of Tenkai, an extraordinary personality who developed trusted friendships with the first three shogun of the Edo Period . In 1638, a fire destroyed most of Kitain.  To help rebuilding it, the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu, ordered several palace buildings to be moved from Edo Castle to Kawagoe. These are today the only surviving buildings of Edo Castle because of the damage Tokyo suffered during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and World War II. One of the rooms, decorated with a floral ceiling and a set of a general's armor, is believed to be where Iemitsu was born. Gohyaku Rakan statues Another highlight of a visit to Kitain are...

Access and Orientation How to get to Kawagoe Kawagoe is connected with central Tokyo by three railway companies: Tobu, Seibu and JR. By Tobu Kawagoe Station, Kawagoe-shi Station and Ikebukuro Station are connected by frequent trains along the Tobu Tojo Line (30 minutes by express trains, 450 yen one way). By Seibu Hon-Kawagoe Station and Seibu Shinjuku Station are connected by frequent trains along the Seibu Shinjuku Line (50-60 minutes, 480 yen one way). By JR Kawagoe Station and Shinjuku Station are also connected by frequent direct rapid trains via Omiya along the JR Saikyo/Kawagoe Line (55 minutes, 740 yen one way). This trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.

Renkeiji  （蓮馨寺） Renkeiji was established by Renkei Taishi （蓮馨大師）  in 1549. Renkei Taishi  is mother of Daidoji Masashige （大道寺政繁） who was the General （城代） at the time, for the purpose of providing common people with a sanctuary. Renkeiji is a Jodo （浄土宗） temple with a statue of Donryu Shonin （呑龍上人） in the prayer area （呑龍堂） in front. Donryu Shonin （呑龍上人） is believed to have a miracle charm against bad luck, for easy delivery, parenting, miscarried children. A street fair, Donryu Day （呑龍デー）  is held on the 8th of each month on the temple grounds. The wooden figure of "Obinzuru-sama," placed in front of the prayer area, is known for  its divine power to heal illness and injuries, and for making people smarter. It enshrines Fukurokuju and is the fifth stop on the tour of Seven Divinities of Good Luck temples （七福神）. ◇                    ◆                  ...

  Google Translation ・ Kawagoe  japan-guide.com      Access and Orientation  japan-guide.com ・ Warehouse District ( Kurazukuri no Machinami)    : Candy Alley (Kashiya Yokocho), Museum of Kurazukuri, Bell Tower (Toki no Kane,)  japan-guide.com      Exploring Kawagoe Old Town Area  Saitama prefecture      Candy Alley (Kashiya Yokochō)  japan-guide.com     #2  KOEDO KAWAGOE Tourist Association ・ Kawagoe City Museum  japan-guide.com   Official Site  machine trans ・ Honmaru Goten (本丸御殿)  japan-guide.com   #2  KOEDO KAWAGOE Tourist Association ・ Kitain (喜多院)：Gohyaku Rakan。Semba Toshogu Shrine。Nakain   japan-guide.com      #2     Kitain  wp     Kitain  Official Site     Nakain  Officail Site    Tenkai Buddhist monk of Kitain Temple. C...