1. Tomonoura (鞆の浦), a small fishing town near Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture. Apparently the town was an inspiration for the Ghibli animation Ponyo on the Cliff. Last year it was recognized as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区), a designation it shares with more famous places like the old town of Kurashiki and the farm village of Shirakawago. I took some pictures of the harbour of Tomonoura, and the next day I saw a very similar artwork (by Yoshida Hiroshi) in a museum. Please compare them for yourself!
2. Sanbutsu-ji (三仏寺), a temple near Kurayoshi in Tottori Prefecture. The Nageiredō (投入堂) is a tough hike up the mountain but that was totally worth it: it's a magnificent view of a very unique temple building. This building is the only National Treasure building in Tottori Prefecture.
3. Possibly the most famous destination of my trip: Izumo Grand Shrine (出雲大社). The architecture here is magnificent. It's the second most important shrine in Japan and rightly so, I think. Just like Ise Grand Shrine, this place gave me a feeling of sacredness and grandeur.
Have you ever been to Tomonoura, Sanbutsu-ji or Izumo? I'd like to hear your impresssions!
