"Bessho Spa, Kamakura in Shinshu" was not deceiving.
There were a couple of temples in Bessho Spa Town itself and several others in the neighboring places, some of which might be smaller than the ones in Kamakura but well harmonized with the surrounding local landscape. I thought "Here we are in Shinshu". Solemn atmosphere of temples and shrines with pastoral views of Shinshu....., they were a feast for my eyes and made me feel comforted.

I already made sure of the circular-route bus service of the surrounding area from the stop at Bessho Spa Station.
Our couple got off the bus at the entrance to Chuzen-ji Temple after 15-minute drive.
We planned to visit several temples and shrines, to walk along the hydrangea path, and to finish the day's sightseeing at Mugon-kan Hall.
It is going to proceed like we planned.

Chuzen-ji Temple

Chuzen-ji Temple, the Shingon sect of Buddhism, is said to stem from Tensho era (824-34) when Priest Kukai built the hemitage to pray for rain.
Since then, the temple building burned down in Eikyo era (1429-41), in Kanbun 5 (1665) and in Kyoho 5 (1720). Those fires burned down a lot of precious things.
In Kyoho 19 (1734), Priest Yusei-hoin reopened the present main hall.
Yakushi Hall (picture below) was built at the beginning of Kamakura era, which is the oldest wooden building in Central Japan. It is a simple building with a thatched grave roof on top in the solemn appearance.
Enshrined in the hall are a sitting statue of Yakushi Nyorai and a God Warrior without Hand.

Chuzen-ji, Other Pictures

Shiono Shrine

This shrine was next to Chuzen-ji Temple. However, to my regret, I passed there through only taking several photos, as my interest went away to Ajisai Komichi (Hydrangea Track).

The signboard explained as follows.

We walked along Hydrangea Track from Shiono Shrine to Ryukoin Temple.
Hydrangea must be a little before their best around here. Bloomed but not in full bloom.

Ajisai Komichi, Other Pictures

Ryukoin Temple

　The web page of Shinshu Group says;

Ryukoin Temple, Other Pictures

Zenzan-ji Temple

The guidebook says;

The detached house was a space for relaxation managed by the priest's wife, where we tasted rice cake with walnut of the temple's pride.

Zenzan-ji Temple, Other Pictures

It is said this shrine was called Kumano Shrine in the old days as one of the divisions and enshrinements of a deity from Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine in Kishu (Wakayama Prefecture). The shrine's name was changed to Bessho Shrine in Meiji 11 (1878).
I am from Shingu City, Wakayama Pref. around where Kumano Three Grand Shrines are located. Therefore I cannot neglect this shrine all right, but in fact to my regret, I found this fact after returned home. So, I took only a couple of pictures then there.

According to the guidebook, this main shrine, in the style of "ikkensha-sumikiiri-kasugazukuri", was built in 18th century and has remained the original style well, worth as a cultural asset.

Mugon-kan Hall
(Museum of the Silenced Art Students)

We visited this hall after several temples and shrines.
The exhibited pictures gave me a deep impression on another dimension with those of famous artists.
When the students were killed in the war, I was a young child. I have come to realize that I have not been involved with the tragedy of the war until now. How lucky I am.
With such complicated feeling, I looked around in Mugon-kan Hall and the 2nd Exhibition Hall.
The following is Wikipedia's explanation.

Mugon-kan Hall↑ 2nd Exhibition Hall　→

"Mugon-kan" was named as that "though the displayed pictures have no word, they talk a lot to us", while it means visitors become silent seeing them, too.

無言館出て水欲し合歓の花

I get out of Mugon-kan and feel thirsty under a silk tree.

Emiko