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Gakuen-ji, the Shark Temple

A temple in Izumo clinging to the mountain, famous for its November maples, whose founding story features a healed empress and a shark returning a sacred object.

Urban Exploration

We slip through Japan’s forgotten corridors; silent rooftops, rusted tunnels, and cities paused in time.

@jordymeow

@jordymeow

This week in Japan

299 festivals and events, Nov 14 to Nov 20

Sat 14 Nov Illumination Last day Kingonji's giant ginkgo lit at night Okuizumo, Shimane A 600-year-old ginkgo blazes gold against the black night of Okuizumo, alone above the harvested fields. Sat 14 Nov Matsuri Last day Yamashiro Tanuki Festival Miyoshi (Yamashiro), Tokushima The village of yokai legends celebrates its trickster tanuki in the little street outside Awa-Kawaguchi station. Sat 14 Nov Illumination Now Nariai-ji Maple Light-up Miyazu, Kyoto · until Nov 15 For two evenings only, the mountain temple above Amanohashidate lights its maples and pagoda. Sat 14 Nov Illumination Now Maples and Burial Mounds Lantern Night Yosano, Kyoto · until Nov 23 For one night, thousands of lights trace Yosano's ancient burial mounds beside a maple temple. Sat 14 Nov Exhibition Now Sennyu-ji Four Seasons Fusuma Kyoto (Higashiyama), Kyoto · until Nov 15 For ten days only, the imperial family temple shows a cycle of 42 painted doors of the four seasons. Sat 14 Nov Matsuri Last day Omiwa Sake Festival Sakurai, Nara Brewers from all over Japan pray to the god of sake, and a giant cedar ball is hung anew. Sat 14 Nov Event Now Akkeshi Oyster Festival Akkeshi, Hokkaido · until Nov 15 Buy Akkeshi bay oysters by the bag and grill them yourself on charcoal in a park above the harbour. Sat 14 Nov Market Now Iwami pottery fair Gotsu, Shimane · until Nov 15 Iwami's potters clear their stock: big water jars, bowls and red-clay dishes at bargain prices for one weekend. Sat 14 Nov Matsuri Now Mihara Ukishiro Festival Mihara, Hiroshima · until Nov 15 Armoured samurai and horses parade round the ruins of the 'floating castle' Kobayakawa Takakage built on the sea. Sat 14 Nov Market Now Otani-yaki Kiln Festival Naruto (Oasa), Tokushima · until Nov 15 Otani potters open their workshops and climbing kilns, famous for jars so big two people turn the wheel.

+289 more festivals and shows this week All on the app’s map, day by day. iPhone Android

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Offbeat

Dates estimated from past years: check the official site before you go.

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