Nezu Shrine, Tokyo just before dusk 5th May 2019

The Azaleas for which Nezu shrine is famous (in addition to it being one of Tokyo's oldest shrines established in 1705) were in full bloom and spectacular when we visited at the end of a pleasant Sunday. However because it was dusk the main festival stalls had closed up and the walkways between the flowers were also closed. The views were still spectacular and the shrine grounds could still be wandered around. The failing light meant it was difficult to get many decent photos but the plants and architecture are still pretty spectacular.

This was the scene opposite the entrance

 The main entrance with it's Tori gate

 think this is a list of all the Azalea varieties on display

We exited via a different route 

Around the shopping streets in Kichijoji, Tokyo 6th May 2019.

Kichijoji is a 30 minute or so bus ride from Oizumi station close to our accommodation, I guess it's about the same time for a train from central Tokyo. It's a lively place popular with younger people but also with all ages for the large park areas. The town itself has a variety of interesting shopping streets peppered with cafes and restaurants plus on the day we visited there was a live music event in the square near the station. 

Two Temples in the rain, Ishinomaki day one of Reiwa 1st May 2019

In Ishinomaki city, Miyagi prefecture, the first day of the new Reiwa Era started with a rain and mist. There was constant light rain in the town with low cloud and mist obscuring the hills and mountains.

Luckily there was little wind and the temperature was mild so we decided to take a morning walk across town heading for a park situated on a hilly outcrop between the sea and  the estuary around which the city was built. Checking the map we saw a route that would take us past some temples on the way. Given Ishinomaki was very badly hit in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami due to it;s low lying coastal setting it had suffered one of the highest casualty rates it seems the Temples (and their graveyards) would be very important to the survivors and local community.  Photography wasn't easy in the rain and a few shots were taken with my phone when the camera was getting too wet.

However the architecture and gardens still looked amazing.

Jufukuji

 Taken with the phone , they had a large collection of Bonsai trees.

Eiganji

This site is marked on the map as Eganji Temple but there is also a Shinto Shrine mentioned on Google Maps as well the complex contained a bell tower and an old store house. I'm not sure if we entered the shrine area or the temple. 

Taken with the phone but from the elevation of the bell tower there was a nice view across the town to the misty hills.

 

Anagura Shrine, Sendai 29th April 2019

While walking back down the hill from the impressive and popular Buddhist temple and mausoleum complex associated with Date Masamune and his family, just before reaching the bottom of the path we saw a small and quiet left turning that no one seemed to be taking. We decided to take a look and stumbled on a small Shinto shrine in a clearing overlooking the river valley. It was a simple shrine but behind the main wooden building there was an interesting row of small shrines dedicated to Inari Okami (fox gods). The shrine was called Anagura and according to internet reports written by Japanese visitors had been used by Date Masamune to pray for success in battle etc. 

Looking at the map there is a long straight road that approaches the shrine from  the river valley ending at the Tori gate and flight of steps, so maybe it was a much grander place in the past.