HIDDEN PATHS meets Supernatural Japan Podcast-Part 2. The Abandoned Oiwa Shrine.

'HIDDEN PATHS - Walking Historical Kyoto' paired 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. And in this second part as we make our way from the base of Mount Oiwa to the viewing platform at the top to look across the ancient capital of Kyoto, will we encounter some of the unexplained or paranormal phenomena that some claim to have experienced or heard about? Well, this isn't a first trek over Mount Oiwa and to Oiwa shrine for HIDDEN PATHS so there shouldn't be too many surprises! One thing is for sure, the route up the 1km mount is a fantastic scenic path for anyone who enjoys walking through nature, and for that alone it's worth the journey. So as we walk through the first wooden torii gate and begin our trek we are greeted by a wonderful bamboo woodland that matches anything that Arashiyama has to offer.

Mount Oiwa - Arashiyama with adventure!

As you start to walk the trail, the main thing you notice is that you are alone. Mount Oiwa is a location that does not really draw tourists, and the people that you do meet along the way are usually locals generally just getting some exercise. There is a calmness, you can hear the birds, and the clattering of bamboo tops from the breeze. But first things first, some background, the history of Oiwa.

Mount Oiwa is also known as Mount Mikakusa (Honorable Grass), earning this title after grass from the mountain was used to feed the horses of the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu, when he visited Kyoto in the early 17th century. Oiwa Shrine was started by the Kii clan after they were apparently forced out of their original Fukakusa area by the Hata clan, who had established a shrine at Fushimi Inari in the year 711. Mount Oiwa became their holy place to worship.

During the Onin War (1467-1477) the shrine was damaged by fire. Restoration didn’t happen until Meiji times in the late 19th century. The shrine has been known for its reputed power to heal serious health issues and an interesting point is one of its past patrons, the Kyoto artist Domoto Insho. Domoto donated two large sculpted stone torii gates after praying for the health of his sick mother. He donated the first in 1952, when his mother was still alive, and the second in 1963 after her death. More of Domoto’s work can be found at the Kyoto Prefectural Domoto Insho Museum of Fine Arts in the Kita Ward of Kyoto. It would seem that the end of Oiwa Shrine as an active place of ceremonial worship came in 2014 when the long-time priest passed on and there was no-one to take over.

As we made our way up Mount Oiwa we passed signs telling us to beware of snakes, and we soon came to more torii gates and the Shirahime Ryujin O Kami (The White Queen Dragon Pond). Some people say that they have seen mysterious orbs floating over the murky waters of the pond, but today we sadly didn't see anything. We stopped for a few minutes to observe the pond, before continuing.

A little further on and the woodland opened out a little to reveal some of the shrine buildings and also the largest of the two Domoto Insho stone torii gates, standing tall and spectacular, almost like something out of an Indiana Jones movie! Pictured below, the host of the Supernatural Japan Podcast, Kevin O'Shea, standing proudly by the sculptured stone gate. It was at this point that the mosquitoes began to attack!

One of the sculptured stone torii gates of Kyoto artist Domoto Insho (1891-1975)

After spending some time around this area and looking at the various small statues, torii gates, and ceremonial waterfall we made our way up a set of stone steps (to the left in the above photo) and continued on towards the top of Mount Oiwa and the shrine buildings. Continued in Part 3!

'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