3 Years in Dendai - 16 - Kinkasan

Mayumi San our closest freind and neighbor at Yasoen arranged for us to take this trip to the Island of Kinkasan, Kinka means deer so its was Deer Isaland. As we landed n the island after a short ferry trip from the mainland passing through areas where kelp and seaweeds (Nori) were being cultivated, we came upon this 'Torii" that according to Mayumi san was constructed by her father who was an engineer and he created it out of steel. 

1. Kinkasan, is a small sacred island in Miyagi Prefecture in north-eastern Japan. It is considered one of the Three Holiest Places of the Tōhoku region, along with Dewa Sanzan and Osorezan. Wikipedia
2. The first thing that caught my mind of this whole are was that it stood stark against the most clear turqois blue sea in the background and everything were just colorfully bright especially the greens of the pine trees. Kinkasan was most famous for its wild deer that has become so tame that one can find them just about anywhere on the island, including laying like a puppy dog on the sidewalk of the only post office. 

There is Ojika peninsula in the northeast part of Miyagi Prefecture. By the tip of the peninsula, there is Kinkasan island.
It is about 5 km from north to south and 4 km from east to west. The narrowest channel between the island and peninsula is less than 1 km.

This island is a mountain on the sea, and the highest peak is 445 meters high.

In this island, only Shinto priests of Koganeyama Shrine live.
And deers and monkeys live in this island, and we can meet several deer at the precincts of the shrine.

To be able to spend a day or two on this island would have done better justice towards capturing all its beauty and splendor. The short walk I took was enough to have my heart stricken by its alluring pristine beauty and confronting the wild deer grazing not too far away from where i stood was like being in the garden of Eden.  

 I had to capture the Pacific in the distance through the break in the tree line along this rugged path.

The ocean lay in brilliant turqois blue in the distance and the pine trees in the foreground accentuate the landscape with sunlight breaking through.

This was a postcard picture!

Nope! You guys cannot take it home with you! Sorry!

Koganeyama Shrine 

Koganeyama Shrine is on the western mountainside of the island, and whole island is god precincts. (It is commonly called "Kinkasan Shrine".)
It is said that it was built in 750, then it is one of three major holy sites in Tohoku District.
Current buildings were rebuilt in the early 20th century.

"Kogane" means "gold", so this shrine has been believed as a god of money, production and commerce since a long time ago.
It is believed that we have enough for money throughout our life after we visit and worship here in three consecutive years.- From; Lets travel Around Japan.

Impact of the East Japan Great Earthquake≫ 
All information on this page is based on data before the disaster. Since the area has been strongly damaged, access to the area could be difficult by public transportation, and the landscape has changed drastically. It is recommended to check latest information in advance.

From Tokyo:[Rail]1h 40 min from Tokyo to Sendai Station by JR Tohoku Shinkansen Line, and 1h from Sendai to Ishinomaki Station by JR Senseki Line. 1h 25 min from Ishinomaki Station by Miyagi Kotsu Bus heading for Ayukawa-ko Port. 30 min from Ayukawa-sanbashi Bridge to Kinkasan by ferry, or 30 min from Ishinomaki sta to Onagawa sta by JR Ishinomaki line, and 35 min from Onagawa port to Kinkasan by ferry.(2runs daily)

The Bronze Dragon took a drink from the Pool or was it spitting into it.?

The ink dragon looks like it could use a drink!

It was auspicious to say the least to drink from the Dragon's mouth.