TAKARAZUKA: Kiyoshikojin Temple

Our friend Nobu came to the caffe to see me today, and told me that when he told his mom we went to Koyoshikojin Temple in Takarazuka. I guess it was not a very high-profile temple.


John and I arrived at the JR Takarazuka Station, which is right across from the Hankyu Takarazuka Station.

Since we were not familiar with the city and we couldn't find any maps around the station, we decide to just walk around and follow a group of people that we saw walking out of the station.


We were walking toward the mountains and saw cool trees and houses.


We eventually realized where we were going, and we saw a lot of people there, too. It was the New Year's and people went up to the temple to pray for a happy new year.


A buddha looking out from the temple.


Many families went to the temple together.

Right outside the temple area there was a festival filled with food and goodie stands.


We got yakisoba. Hmmm... yakisoba.


Japanese fried chicken on a stick.


BIG hot dog. We've been seeing quite a few stands that sell these HUGE hot dogs, and people like them. They were yummy.


Taiyaki. These were tradtionl treats with fillings. We got a milk flavor one and a azuki (red bean) one. John says they are "crunchy pancakes."

We really enjoyed our trip to the Kiyoshikojin Temple. The temple was beautfil and the people were happy and festive... and the festival outside was a total bonus!