HIDDEN PATHS meets Supernatural Japan - Part 3 'At the top of Mount Oiwa'.

'HIDDEN PATHS - Walking Historical Kyoto' teamed up with 'Supernatural Japan Podcast' to take a trek to some historical locations across Kyoto, some of which also have stories behind them that could well be called paranormal or supernatural. Parts 1 and 2 of the blog series took us from the start of our 'expedition' in the Fukakusa area of Kyoto, to the Tomb of Emperor Ninmyo, on to the base of Mount Oiwa, and finishing at the mid hike buildings and stone torii of Domoto Insho at the now abandoned and mysterious Oiwa Shrine. In this third part we find ourselves heading up to the top of Mount Oiwa, the entrance and main buildings of Oiwa Shrine, and the viewing deck looking out across Kyoto.

From the mid-climb buildings we continued up along the trail by way of the stone stairs and through the stone torii gate pictured left. By the steps also were stone kitsune fox statues, commonly associated with the Inari Shrines, the kitsune being recognised as a spiritual messenger of the kami O-Inari (kitsune fox statue pictured below right).

Follow the link (below) to see a video posted and taken by 'The Supernatural Japan Podcast' host Kevin O'Shea on the SJP Facebook page showing the area of the woodland and abandoned buildings at the base of the steps pictured left - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.oshea.1272/videos/1254331086419187/?idorvanity=367979601888750

At the top of the stairs, and another smaller torii, the track turns to the right and then winds up in a zig zag fashion, at times narrow, steep, and precarious, until we come to the main buildings and the top of Mount Oiwa.

Pictured below, arriving at the main Oiwa Shrine buildings. Note, at the bottom left of the photo, a black wooden torii gate base, the rotten and now fallen red torii itself can be partly seen on the ground behind the base.

From here we explored the buildings and surroundings. Some parts are still occasionally maintained, but in general, as the shrine is not in daily use it is rapidly falling more and more into decline and ruin. It is this ruin that draws the attention of would-be YouTube 'paranormal investigators' to this location. Pictured below, shrine buildings at Oiwa Shrine.

Pictured below, the view from the Oiwa Shrine buildings at the top of Mount Oiwa. The mount is covered in dense greenery, a wooden faded red torii gate can be seen along the path leading up to the shrine buildings.

From here we left via the main entrance, taking us through another sculptured stone torii gate that had been donated by the late Kyoto artist Domoto Insho, see previous blog posts in this series to learn more about the artists and the reasons behind his donations. Pictured below, the sculptured stone torii of Domoto Insho. (Picture taken on a previous visit to Oiwa Shrine)

Leaving the shrine we walked the final stage to the viewing platform giving a panoramic view from the east of Kyoto across to the west. Most notable feature in the pictures below is Fushimi Momoyama Castle, which would be our next destination along our route on this trek. Part 4 of this blog series coming soon - Bloodbath at Momoyama Castle.

Pictured above, the view from the top of Mount Oiwa. Pictured below, a close up (taken on a previous visit) showing Fushimi Momoyama Castle.

'HIDDEN PATHS - Walking Historical Kyoto' - Take a guided walk with Phillip Jackson, off the beaten track and away from the crowds of central Kyoto to see a more interesting and adventurous side of the ancient capital. www.hiddenpathskyoto.com 

Phillip, originally from England, has written a series of walking guidebooks covering many areas of Kyoto rarely visited by visitors to Kyoto. You can also go to the HIDDEN PATHS YouTube channel to listen to podcast interviews and radio slots https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenpaths-walkinghistori588

'SUPERNATURAL JAPAN PODCAST' - Host Kevin O'Shea introduces a mix of tales of a the supernatural, paranormal, mysterious, true crime, and the unexplained in fascinating and enthralling weekly episodes. Click on the link for Supernatural Japan episodes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supernatural-japan/id1616675498

Kevin, originally from Canada, is also the host of the popular Just Asia, and Just Japan podcasts. And you can find out more about Kevin's travels and experiences around Asia on his popular YouTube channel BusanKevin https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin/featured