Blog | Hiddenpaths

The Abandoned Shrine of Mount Oiwa

Without a doubt, the most famous and popular hike and shrine visit in the Fukakusa area of Kyoto is Fushimi Inari Taisha, further north...

The Onin War Kyoto Elite Exodus

Fukui’s Ichijodani Asakura Clan Historic Castle Town Ruins Think of Fukui and the first thing that comes to mind are dinosaurs. And...

Ghostly Laughter At The Shrine of The Last Samurai

Nogi Shrine, in Fushimi, Kyoto is dedicated to and enshrines the former Japanese general Nogi Maresuke. General Nogi, the son of Mori...

The 48 Choshu of Toba Fushimi.

Not far from the famous Tofuku-ji, the 13th century Buddhist temple, atop a small hill is a hidden away cemetery. Along with the tombs of...

The Restless Spirit of Maruoka Castle

Hitobashira (人柱, "human pillar"), was the practice of human sacrifice, being buried alive under buildings, dams, bridges, and castles as...

Sakura Mornings Around The Castle

It's that time of year, Hanami season, when it seems that the whole of Japan is laying down their blue tarps and sitting down to a picnic...