Citizens’ Walking Day (held April 9, 2023) 〜 Visiting Kibana Sakuyahime Shrine in the Warm Spring Sunshine

As April arrives, the weather warms up and it becomes easier to get out and move around.

Wearing lighter clothes makes me feel more carefree, too.

I usually enjoy walking or jogging around my neighborhood, but with the pleasant weather, I felt like changing things up.

I was hoping to walk somewhere in Kurashiki City that I hadn’t visited before, when I came across a flyer for “Citizens’ Walking Day” at the library.

The routes vary from month to month, and walking with lots of people sounded like fun.

So I decided to join “Citizens’ Walking Day.”

What is “Citizens’ Walking Day”?

“Citizens’ Walking Day” is a walking event held on the second Sunday of every month (except July and August).

Participants walk while enjoying seasonal scenery at historic sites, parks, and other places around Kurashiki City.

The event was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed in October 2021 with limits on the number of participants.

From fiscal 2023, advance registration was no longer required, so anyone who wants to take part can join.

The routes rotate monthly through Kurashiki, Mizushima, Kojima, Tamashima, and Mabi.

The dates for fiscal 2023 are as follows.

• Event 1: Sunday, April 9, 2023
• Event 2: Sunday, May 14, 2023
• Event 3: Sunday, June 11, 2023
• Event 4: Sunday, September 10, 2023
• Event 5: Sunday, October 8, 2023
• Event 6: Sunday, November 12, 2023
• Event 7: Sunday, December 10, 2023
• Event 8: Sunday, January 14, 2024
• Event 9: Sunday, February 11, 2024

Overview of the Konohanasakuya-hime Shrine Course (Kojima)

I joined the first “Citizens’ Walking Day” event of fiscal 2023, held on Sunday, April 9.

We gathered at 8:45 a.m.

People kept arriving on the platform at JR Kaminocho Station, our meeting point.

In the end, 66 people took part.

We split into two groups and set off from JR Kaminocho Station at around 8:50 a.m.

We walked about 8 km round trip to Konohanasakuya-hime Shrine, taking around three hours.

We stopped along the way for restroom breaks at Hieda Daishido Hall, Hieda Park, and Hieda Hachimangu Shrine.

What kind of scenery would we see along the way?

Excited, I waited for us to set off. 

From Kaminocho Station to Hieda Daishido Hall

From Kaminocho Station, we went up to the prefectural road and walked about 1 km along Nakayama Park Street. After climbing a flight of stone steps, we arrived at Hieda Daishido Hall.

Hieda Daishido Hall is a Shingon Buddhist temple and one of the 88 sacred sites of Kojima. It is the 23rd temple on the pilgrimage.

It stands atop a small hill with a fine view.

The grounds are spacious and open.

It felt chilly when we set off, but after walking up the gentle slope in the warm sunshine, I was almost sweating.

I took off my jacket here and enjoyed a short break in the breeze.

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From Hieda Daishido Hall to Konohanasakuya-hime Shrine

After walking about another 3 km from Hieda Daishido Hall, we arrived at Konohanasakuya-hime Shrine.

Konohanasakuya-hime Shrine is also quietly popular as a power spot.

The enshrined deity, Konohanasakuya-hime, is said to have been a peerlessly beautiful woman and to be the goddess of beauty, matchmaking, and safe childbirth.

Some visitors were receiving a prayer service that day.

The participants also paid their respects in small groups.

Cherry and plum trees grow on the shrine grounds, and the delicate flowers perfectly suit the image of Konohanasakuya-hime.

Mount Fukunan rises behind the shrine, with an inner shrine at its summit.

I’d love to climb up and pay my respects at the inner shrine, too.

From Hieda Hachimangu Shrine to Kaminocho Station

On the way back, we went around the east side of Fukurinko Lake, stopped at Hieda Hachimangu Shrine, and headed for the finish at Kaminocho Station.

Hieda Hachimangu Shrine is an impressive and beautiful shrine.

You can feel how much the local people respect and cherish it.

Many parts of this route follow roads one street in from the busy prefectural road, but even that makes the scenery look completely different from what you usually see.

Yellow rapeseed flowers, deep pink double cherry blossoms, and fresh green leaves are a feast for the eyes.

The scent of flowers wafts through the air, and you can hear bush warblers singing skillfully.

Although the sun is strong for early April, the refreshing breeze at this time of year makes the walk comfortable.

It was truly perfect weather for “Walking Day”.

As I chatted happily with the other participants, we reached Kaminocho Station in no time.

From the Writer

Taking part in “Citizens’ Walking Day” lets you discover scenery you’d never notice when simply driving past.

I also made new discoveries, thinking, “I had no idea there were such wonderful historic sites and places in my hometown!”

And even more wonderful than that were the other participants.

Their enthusiasm and youthful spirit, regardless of age, inspired me and gave me a lot of energy.

Anyone can join “Citizens’ Walking Day,” but since participants walk as a group, walking poles and similar equipment cannot be used.

It’s best to choose a route suited to your strength and fitness.

The next event is Sunday, May 14, 2023.

It is an approximately 8 km route that visits the Tatetsuki Site in Sho, Kurashiki City.

It is a challenging route with long stretches of elevation changes.

Advance registration for “Citizens’ Walking Day” is not required.

“Citizens’ Walking Day” is an event where you can enjoy walking while exploring the region’s history and culture.

Why not come and enjoy a walk together?

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