Koshinoyu

A Japanese Buffet

Yukai Resort: Koshinoyu - 湯快リゾート 越之湯

The Resort is sea side (literally) and is an old style Ryokan Inn.

Large front hallway

Spacious bathroom

Well worn private bath

1108 Yukawa, Katsuura-cho, Nachikatsura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture

Hashigui-iwa Rocks - Part of Yoshino-Kumano National Park

This amazing formation of rocks was formed from magma coming up and cooling. The rocks in the foreground are parts of the magma that have been carried away from tsunami's. The rocks were exposed when the surrounding mudstone wore away from erosion.

The rocks are part of the Yoshino-Kumano National Park.

Hashigui-iwa Rocks of Wakayama

This is a volcanic rock formation with a history linked to fabled Holy Priest, Kobo-Daishi. It was said that an ancient demon was jealous of the knowledge and wisdom of Kobo-Daishi. The demon dared Kobo Daishi to build a bridge connecting Kushimoto to Oshima Island in one night. Having almost completed the bridge except for the top stones, the demon pretended to be a rooster and faked a morning call, forcing Kobo-Daishi to honor his agreement and not finish the bridge.

Information on this formation is here.

Tokei-jinja Shrine location

Tokei-jinja Shrine is located in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture.

A link to a map of Tanabe.

Tokei-jinja Shrine

Prayer boards purchased at shrine

Sacred tree

Prayers

How Tokei-jinja Shrine Was Named

Statue of Benkei with his father and fighting cocks

As the Genpei war (a battle between the Genji clan and the Heike clan) changed from land warfare of the Ichinotani to sea warfare, the movements of the Kumano navy, which was the strongest in Japan at the time, had a big effect on the situation. Both Genji and Heike approached Kumano Betto Tanzo (the leader of the Kumano navy) to appeal for support. Benkei, on Yoshitsume's orders (who was on the Genji side), hastened back to Tanabe to speak with his father Tanzo. To confirm God's wishes, Tanzo ordered seven cocks with red feathers to fight seven cocks with white feathers representing the Heike Clan and the Genji clan respectively. The white ones won and so Tanzo decided to side with the Genji clan. On Tanzo's command, his navy and the Benkei went to the battle field of Don-no-ura, Yamaguchi prefecture. With two thousand soldiers and two hundred ship's, the Kumano navy greatly contributed to the Genji clan's victory which took place on April 25, 1185, ushering in the age of the Samurai.