The venerable Chishi-Ji and its moss-covered thatched roof
戸倉上山田温泉の地元のお寺、智識寺 aka 十一面観音の春祭りは毎年4月17日に行います。今年は日曜日になります。ローカルな、シンプルな祭りなんですけど、だからこそ面白いと思います。
ちなみに、我々上山田お神楽保存会も獅子舞をやりますので、良かったら見に来てください。
A simple, local festival featuring the airing-out of the temple’s ancient scrolls. Several monks give a solemn chant as, along with local dignitaries, they ceremonially air-out the Buddhist scrolls. This is the one time of the year that the sacred 11-Faced Goddess image is openly displayed for public viewing. A sishi-lion dance performance by the Kamiyamada Okagura Preservation troupe will also take place (with Yours Truly on the flute).
Chishiki-Ji Temple, on Nagano Prefectural Route 55 approximately 2km (25 min. walk) from Togura Kamiyamada Onsen. Nearest train station is Togura Station on the Shinano Railway Line.
