title: Hokuriku Tales vol.3

Summary

A book of five stories about Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama with useful data vol.3

To receive effective forest therapy, you should open up all your fivesenses and feel it.“The substances that the trees and other componentsof the forest emit leave a positive impact on your body,”we were told.“Please stop here and remain silent,”said our guide. Following herinstructions, we listened carefully to the sound of the water, themurmuring of the tree leaves and the tweeting of the birds. As thepleasant smells of the forest entered into our bodies, our minds wereopened. We were thoroughly relaxed by the time we left the base aftera cup of soothing herb tea from the forest.Tateyama Mountain Forest Therapy BaseOyama Tourism Development Co., Ltd. TEL: 076-482-1311Bookings are required for participation in the forest therapy program. An expert guide will be booked.Pray to the god of marriage in the forest [Keta Shrine]Our next stop was Keta Shrine in Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture, which is afavorite place of worship for young girls waiting for courtship. A virgin forest knownas Irazu-no-Mori (“Forest of No Trespassing”) surrounds the shrine halls and a serenemajestic air prevails over the shrine, which lies by the Noto Peninsula coast. It is nowonder that the shrine is named Keta (full of air). It has a long history as beingreferred to in the Man’yoshu (a collection of Japanese poetry compiled in the 8thcentury). A stroll will take all your worries away. This is a truly powerful spot.Here the enshrined deity is Okuninushi-no-mikoto who successfully enduredmany ordeals and became united with a princess he fell in love with. We, likethousands of young ladies who visit this shrine every year, bought an omikuji(fortune-telling paper strip) and wished for a good match and a happy marriage.A Tsuitachi-Musubi (“First Encounter on the First Day of the Month”) event isheld on the first day of every month, allowing the participants to receive prayersfor a good match free of charge, at a worship hall designated as an importantcultural property of Japan. A variety of amulets are available including the“amulet of air”and the“amulet of pure love.”This spot is full of history, with aforest and sea breezes. This is an ideal place to make wishes for that veryimportant page of your personal history.Keta Taisha Shrine Ku 1, Jikemachi, Hakui, Ishikawa TEL: 0767-22-0602During the Matchmaking Festivals (Apr. 29 to May 5, Jul. 1 to Aug. 31), prayers for a good match areprovided for free.“First Encounter on the First Day of the Month”On the first day of every month, the first 100 visitors who come by 8:30a.m. are invited to take part in the monthly worship service (including Kagura dance, Norito benediction, Miko assistantpriestess dance and Tamagushi offering). Requests for the O-Harai purification ritual (gratis) are accepted until 16:00(subject to earlier desk closure if all seats are filled).Forest therapy to feel the power ofthe forest with all five sensesWorship hall of Keta Shrine (anImportant Cultural Property ofJapan)Irazu-no-Mori (literally, Forest of NoTrespassing) is a Natural Monumentof JapanChapter V Have lipstick ? Will travel in Hokuriku Soothe your body and soul Fun that only a girl can haveKi-mamori (“Amulet of Air,”left)and Hikari-mamori (“Amulet ofLight,”right) embrace the airthat fill the shrine’s“Forest ofNo Trespassing”The Musubi-Shin’en (“SacredGarden for Matchmaking”) stone. Itis said that placing a pebble on itwill make a wish come true.Votive wooden tablet with aheart-shaped designOn the first day of every month,visitors can take part in the monthlyworship service, on a first-comebasis.Place to wish for beauty and health [Keya Kurotatsu Shrine]Keya Kurotatsu Shrine is a focus of increasing attention as a major power spotin Fukui. Affectionately called“Kutotatsu-san”by the locals, the shrine isHokuriku Tales vol.3 39