The Kosai photo contest was held the other day.

Approximately 400 entries were received in total for the photo and Instagram categories, and there were many photos taken from a variety of perspectives, including scenes from many of Kosai’s tourist spots and events, as well as lesser-known hidden spots in Kosai.

This time, we will pick up the winning works of “Kosai Photo Contest 2023” held this year! I would like to introduce the photo locations and let more people know about the famous spots in Kosai!

||Winner of photo category||

Honkoji Temple

The majestic main hall with a thatched roof is said to have been built during the Muromachi period and has been designated as a national important cultural property.

There are also other historically valuable buildings remaining, such as Okushoin, Sanmon Gate, and Daishoin, which were relocated from Yoshida Castle in Mikawa Province in the early Edo period.

There is also a masterpiece of the late Edo period artist Buncho Tani, the Four Seasons Landscape Mural, as well as many fusuma paintings.

It is an ancient temple in the Enshu region, also known as “Buncho-ji Temple,” and it houses many cultural assets. In spring, hundreds of cherry blossom trees bloom brightly on the grounds, and the Cherry Blossom Festival is held.

 

A famous garden said to have been created by Enshu Kobori

Kobori Enshu was a feudal lord who served Tokugawa Ieyasu in the early Edo period, and was also a gardener.

Gardens said to have been created by Enshu Kobori remain in Kyoto, Edo, Sunpu, and Totomi Province.

The garden at Honkoji Temple is a Horai-style pond fountain ornamental garden, and is one of the three Enshu gardens that remain in Totomi Province.

The natural mountain forest in the background gives it the feel of a deep mountain valley, and the wood and stones are cleverly arranged, creating a structure that looks beautiful from any angle.

 

tengu’s go board

Higakure Shonin, the 16th chief priest of Hongo-ji Temple, was a great fan of Go and was also very strong.

One day, while I was playing Go by myself on the veranda of the shoin, a tengu appeared and asked me to make a move.

However, he was unable to defeat the priest, and was so frustrated that he scratched the surface of the Go board with his fingernails. Since then, this Go board has been called “Tengu’s Go board” and has become a treasure of the temple.

 

Famous cherry blossom spots

It is one of the eight scenic spots of Hamana and is a scenic area.

From late March to early April, you can see over 200 cherry blossoms and azaleas on the grounds!

In late March of this year, a “Flower Festival” will be held at Hongoji Temple.

 

|| Basic information about Hongoji Temple ||

・address : 384 Washizu, Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture

・telephone number : 053-576-0054

・Business hours : 09:30-16:00

Click here for related sites (Kosai/Arai Tourism Association HP)

「https://hamanako-kosai.jp/location/587/」

 

 

Fireworks over Kosai Lake

Last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, fireworks over Kosai Lake were held for the first time in four years.

However, as you all know, the fireworks display was interrupted midway due to a storm that occurred midway through the fireworks.

This photo taken during this time is reminiscent of last year’s fireworks over the lake.

Behind the brightly colored fireworks, lightning strikes from the sky…

This is a photo that captures a miraculous moment that cannot be captured in a single photo with fireworks and lightning!

The venue, Omotewashizu Lakeside Park, is a park rich in nature facing Lake Hamana. The lawn stretches out and you can see the blue lake beyond.

If you’re lucky, you might even see Mt. Fuji! !

It is a hidden scenic spot where you can see the sunrise and sunset beautifully.

 

|| About the event ||

・venue : Washizu, Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture (Omote Washizu Lakeside Park)

 

 

Nanjamonja tree

It looks like it is covered in snow, and the white flowers stand out against the blue color of Lake Hamana, making it a very beautiful place to see.

The best time to see them is from late April to early May, and when they’re in full bloom, they look as if they’ve been covered in snow.

 

What is Nanjamonja? ?

Nanjamonja is a tall tree belonging to the Oleaceae family, and its official name is “Hitotsubatago.”

It is a representative species of a tree called Nanjamonja, but Nanjamonja is a general term for large trees whose names are unknown, and does not refer to a specific tree species.

It has a narrow natural distribution range and is a rare species, designated as Vulnerable Species II (VU) on the Ministry of the Environment’s Red List.

One of its characteristics is that it has a neat and clean atmosphere, as the flower language means “innocence”!

There is also a local name for the way the fallen petals illuminate the water surface, “Umi-tarashi”.

 

|| About access ||

From Chibada Station, head toward Mikkabi, cross the Tama Pass entrance signal, and turn right at the first corner.

If you cross the Tenryu Hamanako Railway railroad crossing and continue along the road, you will see the Nanjamonja tree.

*There is no parking lot near the Nanjamonja tree, so please refrain from visiting by car.

*If you are coming by car, please walk from the Chibada Station public parking lot. Please refrain from parking for long periods in public parking lots.

*As it is located in a residential area, please refrain from doing anything that may disturb nearby residents.

・adress : Kosai City Ochiha

 

 

Arai Benten Sea Fishing Park and Hamana Ohashi Bridge

*This photo was taken from inside Arai-Benten Sea Fishing Park.

 

Arai Benten Sea Fishing Park is located near the Imakiriguchi, which connects Lake Hamana and the Enshu Sea.

It is a popular fishing spot with 5 T-shaped embankments lined up and crowded with anglers during the spring-autumn fishing season!

There is parking for up to 400 cars, so you can park your car near the fishing spot.

Public toilets are also available within the park.

As the name Arai Benten Sea Fishing Park suggests, it is a mecca for fishing.

Therefore, within Arai-Benten Sea Fishing Park, there is a fishing gear shop called “Imagiri Shop” where you can rent fishing gear, so even beginners can enjoy fishing without bringing anything!

 

Hamana Ohashi Bridge is the road bridge on National Route 1 Hamana Bypass that spans the mouth of Lake Hamana in Shizuoka Prefecture, which connects to the Pacific Ocean.

The total length of the bridge is 631.8m, and the center span length is 240m.

When it first opened on March 24, 1973, it was said to be the world’s tallest girder bridge! (Currently ranked 3rd in the country).

One of my favorite things about it is that you can see a beautiful sunset if you drive by at dusk!

 

|| Arai Benten Sea Fishing Park ||

・address : Kosai-shi Arai-cho Arai official address

 

 

Maemuki flower garden

The Maemuki flower garden is managed by the NPO Happiness Kosai.

We are a citizen group that aims to make Kosai City a bright and fun city and Kosai City the happiest city in Japan.

The seeds were sown mainly by the NPO Happiness Kosai.

In the Yoshimi area of ​​Kosai City, there are sunflowers in summer, cosmos in autumn, and rape blossoms in early spring.

It seems that residents of local high schools and elderly care facilities are also involved!

When the flowers begin to bloom in full bloom, many people stop their cars and take photos.

The flowers blooming in the peaceful countryside are so beautiful and soothing!

The Tokaido Line tracks also run nearby, so you might be able to see some nice scenery from the train window.

 

|| basic infomation ||

・address : 1667 Okazaki, Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture

・telephone number : 053-523-6524 (NPO Happiness Kosai)

 

 

Kosai Mountain Range

The Kosai Mountain Range is a chain of mountains on the west side of Lake Hamana, on the border with Aichi Prefecture, and is known as a famous hiking and trekking destination visited by tens of thousands of people each year. There are many hiking trails, so everyone from beginners to experts can enjoy it.

From the top of the mountain, you can see Kosai City, Lake Hamana, and the Enshu Sea, and on clear winter days, you can even see Mt. Fuji.

Along the way, there are many statues of “Ara Tamaki” made by local children.

“Ara Tamaki Statue” is a statue created by local children who wished for zero waste.

 

Introducing the starting point

1.Umeda Water Park

This is a water park near the Umeda trailhead where you can enjoy the mountains, countryside, and waterside. JR Shinjohara Station is the closest trailhead, and there is also a parking lot, so you can use it when hiking or trekking. The park also has restrooms and hiking maps.

2.Ochiba Foster Parent Water Park

Located in the upper reaches of the Imagawa River, where freshwater crabs and killifish live, the Ochiba Foster Water Park, with its clear water, is near the Ochiba trailhead. There is a parking lot and restrooms, and hiking maps are also available.

Events are held regularly, such as the Ochiba Foster Parent Water Park Festival and parent-child experience classes.

 

*Notes

On November 20, 2020, an animal that looked like a bear was seen on a hiking course on the Toyohashi City side.

Please be careful when entering the mountain.

 

|| basic infomation ||

・address : 1667 Okazaki, Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture

 

 

What did you think? ?

At the Kosai Photo Contest, you will be able to see many wonderful photos like this and gain a new appreciation for the attractive spots in Kosai City!

I hope you will take a look back at past works as you tour around the famous spots in Kosai City.

*Unauthorized reproduction prohibited