<p>Hearts and a teapot decorate this stone lantern... could it be it an Alice in Wonderland theme?</p>

Hearts and a teapot decorate this stone lantern... could it be it an Alice in Wonderland theme? (Photo: Cathy Cawood)

Gokoku Shrine in Kofu

Teapot and hearts on a stone lantern

Cathy Cawood Oct 02, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Hearts and a teapot decorate this stone lantern... could it be it an Alice in Wonderland theme?</p>

<p>Path from the torii at the entrance</p>

<p>Wash your hands here by scooping some water and dribbling it over your hands</p>

<p>The approach to the shrine  </p>

<p>The numerous small posts are not usually there, but the shrine was preparing for a festival</p>

<p>Perhaps the approaching festival involves fire?</p>

<p>Don't touch my ball!</p>

<p>Unusual grain in the wood of the sliding doors</p>

<p>Wooden lanterns by the steps</p>

<p>The writing on the lantern says Enko-in, the name of a nearby temple</p>

<p>Unusual black torii</p>

<p>Thick moss grows under the trees</p>

<p>Almost hidden in the trees</p>

<p>One side to ascend and the other to descend ...keep left?  </p>

<p>The stone lanterns were much taller than I am.</p>

Apparently Gokoju Shrine, located on the Inishie Michi trail near Enko-in, is locally famous for cherry blossoms. However there were none of those when I visited in August. The shrine seemed to be gearing up for some kind of festival, possibly to do with Obon. I read that the shrine is associated with Yamanashi's war dead.

Cathy Cawood

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...