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5 years in the past I went to Japan’s hottest metropolis of Kumagaya for an worldwide rugby match and took in just a few minor sights within the hours earlier than kick off. As I got here away from the bottom a fellow niche-specialist Japanese good friend requested if I’d seen the massive Buddha statue in that space. As a fan of such statues I used to be disillusioned that I used to be unaware of it however made a observe of it for future event. That point lastly got here spherical a few months in the past after I went again to this space of Saitama Prefecture.
Take the prepare for simply an hour north of Ikebukuro and also you’ll arrive in Gyoda metropolis which is dwelling to many kofun (historic burial mounds). I solely had time for a pair on this explicit journey with essentially the most attention-grabbing one being Gyoda Hachimanyama Historic Tomb which is just open to the general public on weekends. Extra particulars right here.
One other bus journey adopted to see a Nice Buddha statue which initially introduced this space to my consideration. As a consequence of this statue I got here throughout the aformentioned tombs in addition to another websites while searching Google Maps. I acquired off the bus only a quick distance previous Daichoji (23-10 Gyoda, Saitama-ken) so had seen the again of it in passing already.
The historical past of this Nice Buddha dates again to 1727 when it was first forged however nothing is ever that easy relating to such buildings in a rustic which has suffered from numerous fires and a number of earthquakes in addition to wars. It was donated as a steel useful resource in 1944 throughout the battle, after which simply over 50 years later this present one was restored due to the cooperation of believers.
Along with the Nice Buddha, this temple additionally has a set of different sizeable jizo statues that are fairly spectacular themselves.
Oshi Citadel (17-23 Honmaru, Gyoda, Saitama-ken) was situated only a quick stroll down the street from there. To be trustworthy, I wasn’t anticipating various stays as I approached the situation so was fairly stunned to see such a visually spectacular three-storey turret. It is vitally nicely taken care of and at the moment capabilities because the Gyoda Metropolis Museum.
It’s a late Nineteen Eighties reconstruction however was initially accomplished in 1479, and is likely one of the continued 100 high-quality castles of Japan which had been chosen for his or her significance in tradition and historical past in 2017. Japan has numerous castles so possibly being within the high 100 is extra spectacular than it sounds! It’s maybe greatest recognized for withstanding a siege in 1590 in opposition to unbelievable odds which was immortalised within the movie ‘Nobo no shiro‘ (2012) a.ok.a. ‘The Floating Citadel‘.
Afterwards I realised that no buses had been imminent so I frantically looked for the quickest strategy to get to Kumagaya station as I needed to get to a soccer match in time for kick off. Fortunately, there have been a few pretty equidistant choices however I selected Mochida quite than the neighbouring Gyodashi station.
Kumagaya station was simply six minutes from Mochida and I then had a little bit of a wait earlier than taking a bus to Kumagaya Athletic Stadium which is only a quick stroll away from Kumagaya Rugby Stadium; the religious dwelling of rugby in Japan’s hottest metropolis the place I noticed Japan and South Africa play a pleasant match simply forward of the 2019 Rugby World Cup match. There’s a large rugby ball exterior the station to mark its place in Japanese sporting historical past.
It was my first time to go to this stadium (the forty eighth one I’ve been to!) which is a really typical municipality floor in Japan with a operating observe circling the pitch.
As for the sport, it actually was a story of goalkeeping woes as firstly the AS Elfen primary didn’t catch a cross from a free kick and the away facet bundled it it. Within the second half there was an excellent lengthy distance equaliser earlier than the Stella keeper acquired in on the gaffs act and let the ball straight from a nook slip by her palms and into the web.
There are just a few different sights I’d nonetheless wish to see on this area akin to Historic Lotus Park, Water Citadel Park and the varied historic burial mounds which make up Sakitama Kofun Historic Tomb Park. Admittedly, they’re not actual excessive precedence for me in the meanwhile however someday I’ll return to finish the
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