Shiga

Spring at Tachiki Shrine in Kusatsu

Deer statues and cherry blossom

Cathy Cawood Jul 19, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Cherry trees overhang the river that runs along on edge of the shrine</p>

<p>Statue of a deer beside a red torii</p>

<p>Dead tree garlanded with rope and paper streamers</p>

<p>Stone lanterns under the cherry blossoms</p>

<p>Moss grows on the stone lanterns standing beside the petal strewn path</p>

<p>Metal lantern and curtains hanging in the gate</p>

<p>Looking through the open sided structure in front of the main hall</p>

<p>Gold lantern on the ceiling of a shrine building</p>

<p>This lichen and moss covered statue of a deer looks very old</p>

<p>A small red torii stands beside shrine buildings  </p>

<p>Omikuji (fortune telling papers) tied to a pine branch</p>

<p>A long pine branch rests on supports in the shrine grounds</p>

<p>A spray of cherry blossom arching over a stone torii</p>

<p>The thick rope garlands on torii are replaced every New Year</p>

<p>Branches of cherry blossom hanging low over the river  </p>

Although Tachiki Shrine is not large or imposing, it looked very pretty in the Spring sunshine with cherry trees dropping their pale pink petals over the paths. There are a number of statues of deer around the grounds, some of them very old-looking.　You can reach it by walking along a street lined with cute old shops, and stop in at wonderful Kusatsu Juku along the way.

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...