Takato Things to Do

It is a hell of a climb to this temple but when you get to the top there is a rewarding view. At this temple you will find a lot of daruma. A daruma is a doll which you buy for someone. The eyes are not colored. Make a wish and color a eye. You can color the second eye if the wish became true.
The daruma found at this temple are all fullfilled wishes. The daruma are burnt here once a year to thank for granted the wish.

On the shores of the lake you find the town historical museum. There are various exhibits, but no english information.
We liked it though because we saw a simularity between the old things here and in our own country.
The first thing we encountered was the float used in the festival. No such thing in the Netherlands......

Also in the museum is a historic site called Ejima-Kakomi Yashiki, the residence of an exiled high ranked lady Ejima who had served a Shogun's wife.

Next to the castle ruins park is an old school building. There was little english info, so i am afraid not much details in this tip.

Later we leared from the internet this school was built by and for samurai.

There are two parks in Takato where you can go to enjoy the cherryblossoms (sakura).
The first (Joshi Park) is the biggest and is described in a previous tip. The other is the Hanano Oka Park. This one is a little bit more uphill. The trees here are in full bloom when the other park has only leaves on the ground. The best time to visit is end of april or very early in may.

The picture is made on the 22th of april, the first color is coming.

As you enter Takato in Sakura season it can´t miss. Takato Joshi Park with 1500 blossom trees lies a bit higher up. Everything is pink. The pink lanterns in the street are leading the way from the busstation to the park. You can also hop on the shuttlebus for 100 Yen though and win 20 minutes.
The entrance to the park and its museums is 500 Yen.

At this temple are many stone statues. The temples signature is the buddha statue in front. The one with the ring around its head. But we liked other statues better.