Tomb of Jesus Christ in Shingo village

During the end of December 2016, hubby and I had been on a sightseeing trip to Aomori prefecture. We visited several places like the Tomb of Jesus Christ in Shingo village, Sannai Maruyama archaeological site and a related museum in Aomori City, and an exhibition of Tom and Jerry products also in Aomori City. In this blog post, I will write about the Tomb of Jesus, and will consecutively write about the other places in the following posts.

Let me briefly introduce the Tomb of Jesus Christ. The purported tomb is located in Shingo village of Aomori prefecture. According to the local folklore, Jesus came to Japan when he was 21 years old, during a 12 year gap in the New Testament known as his lost years. It is said that he came to study theology, and that he made his first landing at a port called Amanohashidate on the west coast of Japan. Upon his arrival, Jesus is said to have studied with a great master of theology near Mount Fuji, where he learned about Japanese religion, philosophy, language, and culture. This study continued until he was 33 years of age, after which he took the long voyage back to Judea, where he told about his exotic adventures in the far away mysterious eastern sacred land. People in Judea did not like or accept his preachings, and Jesus was arrested and sentenced to his crucifixion. The folklore further states that Jesus did not die on the cross at Calvary (Golgotha) and he was able to escape when his brother called Isukiri secretly traded places with him. In the folklore, it was Isukiri rather than Jesus who was crucified on the cross, while Jesus himself fled back to Japan carrying a lock of the Virgin Mary’s hair and a single severed ear of his brother. After an arduous journey across the frozen Siberia, Jesus arrived in the town of Hachinohe in Aomori prefecture, before traveling on to the nearby village of Shingo. In Shingo, Jesus is said to have taken up a simple life growing garlic and helping the needy. He married a local farmer’s daughter and had three children with her. The folklore story says that Jesus lived a long and happy life in the mountain village of Shingo, and lived to be 106 years old. When he died, his body was subjected to the burial customs of the time. The body was laid out exposed on a hilltop for four years, after which his bones were bundled up and interred in a grave, which can still be found in the village. The ear of Jesus’ brother Isukiri and the lock of the Virgin Mary’s hair were also purportedly buried in an adjacent grave. To this day, the living descendants of Jesus are said to live in the village, the most well known of which being the Sawaguchi family. This local folklore claim started after a collection of apocryphal religious writings known as the Takenouchi Documents were supposedly transcribed from a scroll that was found in the area in 1933 and dated to the time of Jesus. Within the scroll were texts that outlined the last will and testament of Jesus, as well as musings on his life in Japan. The documents are said to have been transcribed around 1500 years ago from even older documents and scrolls. These documents were allegedly seized by the Japanese authorities and taken to Tokyo shortly before World War II and have since disappeared. But the copies of the documents are available at a museum located near the Tomb of Jesus. Whether this folklore is real history or entertainment, the local people certainly do not mean any disrespect for the religion.

On 22nd December 2016, hubby and I left our home in Yurihonjo City at about 10 am for our sightseeing trip to Aomori prefecture. That day we visited the Tomb of Jesus Christ in Shingo village. Shingo village is located about 270 kilometers northeast of our home, and it took us about 6.5 hours of car ride to reach the tomb area. We reached Shingo village at about 4.30 pm and it was already pitch dark that time. We saw a beautiful colorful illumination in the village to celebrate and commemorate the Christmas season. We got out of our car for some time to enjoy the wonderful illumination. After another 10 minutes of car ride, we reached the tomb area. After parking our car at a parking lot, we walked along a paved pathway leading to the Tomb of Jesus Christ located on a hilltop. While walking, we saw an information board with interesting folklore details about the Tomb of Jesus. Further along the pathway, to our left side we saw a small grave-site with many Buddhist graves. It is actually the burial area for the Sawaguchi family, and the Tomb of Jesus is located adjacent to this grave-site. In fact, right across these Buddhist graves, we saw a small hill with two protruding wooden crosses. We climbed up a few steps and reached the top of the hill. Sitting atop this hill, to our right side, we saw the Tomb of Jesus Christ which is known as Kurisuto no Haka in Japanese. The village people claim it to be the final resting place of Jesus who is said to be deified there. The tomb is an unassuming circular burial mound of raw earth marked with an unpainted prominent wooden cross. In front of the tomb sat a basket of coins where pilgrims leave coins in thanks for answered prayers. There was also a vase holding a fresh bouquet of flowers. Adjacent to the Tomb of Jesus, to our left side atop the hill, we saw another nearly identical circular burial mound with an unpainted wooden cross. This grave is said to hold a single ear of Jesus’ brother Isukiri who took his place on the cross during crucifixion at Calvary. This grave is said to also contain a lock of hair of the Virgin Mary. In front of this grave also sat a basket of coins and a vase holding flowers. We prayed in front of the Tomb of Jesus and his brother’s grave and felt so peaceful. In addition, we saw a rather big yellow colored stone, inscribed with poetry in Hebrew letters, laid on the ground in between the two graves at the hilltop. This stone is from the outer-wall of Jerusalem and was gifted to the village by the Ambassador of Israel to Japan, Eli Cohen, in 2004 as a sign of friendship and goodwill, and not as a sign of endorsement of the folklore tale. We loved looking at the Tomb of Jesus and the surroundings. It was pitch dark and hubby reminded me that it was a grave-site, so we left the area after about 20 minutes or so.

I am standing in front of the Christmas illumination in Shingo village

We almost reached the site of the Tomb of Jesus Christ. A board indicating that the tomb is located about 220 meters further up the hill adjacent to a Buddhist grave-site.

Hubby standing next to a map of the tomb area

I am standing next to an information board with folklore details about the Tomb of Jesus

The Tomb of Jesus Christ located on the hilltop is a circular burial mound of raw earth marked with a prominent wooden cross

Hubby standing in front of the Tomb of Jesus

A grave which is said to hold a single ear of Isukiri and the Virgin Mary’s lock of hair located adjacent to the Tomb of Jesus

I am standing in front of the grave that holds Isukiri’s ear and the Virgin Mary’s lock of hair

A stone located on the ground in between the two graves is from the outer-wall of Jerusalem

Afterwards, we continued on our journey to Aomori City. Aomori City is located about 90 kilometers northwest of Shingo village, and it took us another 2 hours of car ride to reach Aomori City where we stayed at a hotel that night. The next day, on 23rd December, we visited Sannai Maruyama archaeological site and a related museum in the city, as well as an exhibition of Tom and Jerry products held in city itself. That night also we stayed at the same hotel. On 24th morning, we checked out of the hotel and started on our return trip to home. When we reached around Shingo village, we took a detour and again visited the Tomb of Jesus Christ. This is because we had ample time that day and we wished to see the place in the daylight also.

As we neared the site of the Tomb of Jesus Christ, we saw an indicator board along the road with the sign ‘Tomb of Christ’ written on it. On reaching the tomb site, we noted that although the weather was fine that time, it had snowed heavily the previous day and everything was covered in snow. There was snow all around us and the place looked white and so beautiful. After parking our car at a parking lot located near the tomb area, we walked along a paved pathway leading to the Tomb of Jesus located on a hilltop adjacent to the Buddhist grave-site area. The pathway was fully covered in snow and was so slippery but the climb was worth it. Along the way, we again saw the information board with the folklore details about the Tomb of Jesus. Hubby read the information and became very curious to know more details about the folklore.

An indicator board along the road with the sign ‘Tomb of Christ’ written on it

Hubby standing next to a map of the tomb area

I am standing next to a board indicating that the tomb is located about 220 meters further up the hill adjacent to the Buddhist grave-site

Hubby walking up the pathway leading to the grave-site

I am walking up the pathway leading to the grave-site

Hubby standing next to an information board with the folklore details about the Tomb of Jesus

On reaching the Buddhist grave-site area, we were amazed by the sheer beauty of snow all around us. From this Buddhist grave-site area, we saw two protruding snow-covered wooden crosses standing proudly on the top of a small hill located right in front of us. We climbed up a few steps beautifully covered in snow and reached the hilltop. Sitting atop this hill, to our right side, we saw the Tomb of Jesus. The tomb having circular burial mound of raw earth marked with an unpainted wooden cross looked so white and pure fully covered in snow. Adjacent to this Tomb of Jesus atop the hill, to our left side, we saw the grave holding a single ear of Isukiri and a lock of hair of the Virgin Mary. This grave also had circular burial mound with an unpainted wooden cross fully covered in snow that time. We again, though this time in daytime, prayed in front of the Tomb of Jesus and his brother’s grave and felt so peaceful.

A few steps beautifully covered in snow leads to the top of the hill where the Tomb of Jesus Christ is located

I am walking up the steps

An unpainted wooden cross marking the Tomb of Jesus as viewed to our right side from the bottom of the steps

Another unpainted wooden cross marking the grave holding a single ear of Isukiri and a lock of hair of the Virgin Mary as viewed to our left side from the bottom of the steps

The Tomb of Jesus located on the hilltop marked with a prominent wooden cross and fully covered in snow

The wooden cross was decorated with a Christmas wreath for the Christmas season

Hubby standing in front of the Tomb of Jesus

I am standing in front of the Tomb of Jesus

A grave supposedly holding a single ear of Isukiri and a lock of hair of the Virgin Mary is located adjacent to the Tomb of Jesus. This grave was also marked with a prominent wooden cross and was fully covered in snow.

This wooden cross was also decorated with a Christmas wreath for the Christmas season

Hubby standing in front of the grave that holds Isukiri’s ear and a lock of hair of the Virgin Mary

I am standing in front of the grave

Afterwards, we appreciated the area surrounding the Tomb of Jesus. In fact, the grave-site is a forest area, and beyond the hilltop we saw forest trees fully covered in snow. It was pure white all around us. We loved the serene atmosphere so much. We walked around that area a bit and saw a snow covered narrow pathway with many steps leading down to a stream which was frozen at that time. Only hubby went down the steps to have a look at the frozen stream as the steps were too slippery due to the frozen snow, and I am not used to walking on snow.

A few trees in the forest area fully covered in snow as viewed from the hilltop

Hubby and the snowy hilltop

I am standing next to snow covered bushes

A snow covered pathway with many steps that led down to a stream

Next, we saw a museum named The Legend of Christ Museum located adjacent to the Tomb of Jesus Christ. The museum is devoted to the legend of Jesus in Japan. The museum contains the reproduction of Takenouchi Documents, English translations of these documents, and various other relics and memorabilia related to the life of Jesus Christ in Shingo village. Unfortunately the museum is closed during the winter months and we could not enter inside the museum to read about the interesting folklore. Anyway, while walking near the museum building, we saw a snow covered fir tree located right in front of the museum, which got us into the Christmas spirit. We also saw a pyramid constructed near the entrance of the museum building. We enjoyed walking around the museum building surrounded by snow all around.

The Legend of Christ Museum and a snow covered fir tree (left) located in front of the museum

Hubby standing next to the snow covered fir tree

I am standing next to a pyramid located near the entrance of the museum building

It was very cold winter time, but we enjoyed visiting the Tomb of Jesus Christ in Shingo village twice, once in the nighttime on 22nd December and then during the daytime on 24th December 2016. In the next post, I will write about our visit to Sannai Maruyama archaeological site in Aomori City.

Akita Furusatomura

One of our friends living in Akita City will be leaving Japan soon. He is an Indian working on a time-limited research project at Akita University in Akita City. Hubby and I met him and his family for the first time in 2014 and we were very happy to meet an Indian family in faraway northern Japan where foreigners are still a rare sight. His family left for India before the winter season probably to avoid the severe cold of Akita. On 11th February, hubby and I hosted a farewell dinner for him at a Nepalese restaurant named Namaste located in Akita City. The restaurant serves Indian as well as Nepalese food. We invited another Indian couple also. We all enjoyed having various kinds of Indian dishes for dinner and it was fun recalling the nice time we had over the last couple of years. We wish him good luck and best wishes for his future endeavors.

Our friend (middle) soon to leave Japan

We all having dinner at a Nepalese restaurant

While having dinner, I remembered about hubby and my trip to a sightseeing place called Akita Furusatomura with our Indian friend who is leaving Japan. It was way back in July 2016, and his wife and young son also had accompanied us. I had completely forgotten about that trip and therefore thought about writing a blog post about Akita Furusatomura today. Akita Furusatomura is located in Yokote City of Akita prefecture. It is an amusement theme park where we can play and learn. The park has various facilities like the Akita Museum of Modern Art, the Wonder Castle, a planetarium, and an exhibition and demonstration of traditional handicrafts facility. In the theme park, we especially focused our visit to the Wonder Castle, which features trick art and indoor playground fun for kids.

On the morning of 16th July 2016, hubby and I first went to Akita City by our car where we picked up our Indian friend and his family and then went to Akita Furusatomura in Yokote City. Akita Furusatomura is located about 75 kilometers southeast of Akita City and is situated near the Yokote junction of the Akita expressway. It took us about 1.25 hours of car ride to reach Akita Furusatomura. We parked our car at a parking lot located outside the theme park. On entering inside the theme park, first we took a ride on a bright red colored train type bus named Choo Choo train. It is very popular with kids and we thought that our friend’s son would like it. We bought 4 tickets each worth 410 Yen for the adults and another ticket worth 200 Yen for the kid for the bus-train ride. When the bus-train started moving we felt the pleasant breeze and enjoyed the short journey inside the theme park. As the bus-train moved along the route, adults as well as children became curious and started wondering out loud about various buildings, play area for kids, and many statues along the way. Fortunately a train guide announced the salient features of each facility in an easy-to-understand manner. It was a fun ride.

Hubby fastening the seatbelt of the son of our Indian friend before starting on our car ride to Akita Furusatomura

Our friend’s wife and son inside Choo Choo train at Akita Furusatomura

I am enjoying the Choo Choo train ride

Next, we went to Akita Museum of Modern Art but decided not go inside the museum building as we thought that the 3-year-old kid will not find it interesting. So we all strolled outside the museum building for quiet some time. It was a cloudy day but we enjoyed the walk surrounded by many huge outdoor statues. I found three statues to be very interesting. One of them was named Koeyoshidori, which is a long-crowing chicken breed of Akita prefecture and is designated as a national treasure of Japan. The statue was sculpted by Aikawa Zenichiro in 1952. It is 1.1 meters high and looks majestic and cheerful. The second statue was named Daichi no Kodo which was sculpted by Ando Izumi in 1993. It is a statue of a huge mammoth and measures 3.5 meters high. This statue was constructed using forged copper plates by hammering them several thousands of times. The third set of statues was named Inu mo Arukeba. This set of statues was sculpted by Yabuuchi Satoshi in 1993. All the statues in this set are 79 centimeters high and is a playful work with the motif of Akita dogs. This set of statues has a sense of continuity as if a dog is walking. Children as well as adults enjoy riding them. We enjoyed taking a stroll outside the museum building and took several photos of us with a few of the statues.

We all are strolling outside the museum building in Akita Furusatomura

Hubby, our friend and his son enjoying a walk

Hubby and our friend’s son enjoying a walk

Statue of Koeyoshidori as viewed from two different angles

Our friend and his family standing in front of the statue of a huge mammoth

Hubby and I standing in front of the mammoth

We all enjoyed riding the statues of Akita dogs

Hubby sitting on a statue of Akita dog and clicking photos

Afterwards we temporarily left Akita Furusatomura premises to have lunch at a Nepalese restaurant located about 8 kilometers south of the Furusatomura. The restaurant serves Indian as well as Nepalese food. We enjoyed having various kinds of Indian dishes. Hubby especially loved having cheese Naan which came with his set menu. We were quite full and satisfied with the lunch. After lunch, we returned to Akita Furusatomura and entered the local handicrafts, food, and gift shops. It was nice to look at all the handicrafts but we did not buy anything. In addition, we skipped visiting the planetarium as there was not enough time to visit all the facilities of Akita Furusatomura that day itself.

My lunch that I had at a Nepalese restaurant located in Yokote City

Hubby’s lunch set

Hubby enjoying having Cheese Naan

Our friend and his family enjoying lunch

I am standing with our friend’s wife and son inside the local handicrafts, food, and gift shop at Akita Furusatomura

Next we visited Wonder Castle building located inside Akita Furusatomura premises. Wonder Castle has an exhibition of illusion type pictures and a lot of trick arts. This place is ideal for kids as well as families. At the first floor entrance area of the building, we bought tickets worth 520 Yen for the adults and it was free for the kid. First we went to the fourth floor of the building and enjoyed being inside the Mirror Room and the Giant’s Room. Next, we saw a wonderful trick art area named ‘The World above the Clouds’ where we enjoyed ‘balancing’ ourselves while coming out of a castle located amongst the clouds. We also enjoyed flying like a bird amongst the clouds in this area. Then we went inside the Slanting Room also located on the fourth floor. It is a gravity hill type distorted room that is used to create tilt-induced visual illusion. We really loved this room where the rules of gravity did not seem to apply as we expect them to. Once we stepped inside this room, we felt as if we had abandoned all sensations of balance, proprioception, and general physical stability. Thanks to the architectural trickery, it felt as if we could tilt our bodies unrealistically in this room. We loved being in this room and it is no wonder that the Slanting Room is the most popular corner of the Wonder Castle. Afterwards we went to the third floor of the building where more trick arts and optical illusions were present. We enjoyed tightrope walking, cage for human, pulling a portable Mikoshi Shrine, and Ames Room at this floor. I loved the optical illusion of the Ames Room very much where hubby standing in one corner of the room appeared to be a giant while I standing in the other corner appeared to be a dwarf to the our friend photographer standing outside the room. The illusion was so convincing that hubby walking back and forth from the left corner to the right corner appeared to grow or shrink. It was really impressive optical illusion. At this point, the exhibition of various trick arts and optical illusions were over. We adults enjoyed looking at various trick arts and loved the place more than the kid. I guess we adults are still kids at heart!

Our friend’s wife and I inside the Mirror Room

I am standing inside the Giant’s Room

We are the food for the Giant

We are ‘balancing’ ourselves while coming out of a castle located amongst the clouds

I am flying amongst the clouds

Wondering how hubby can tilt his body so much inside the Slanting Room

Well, I can tilt my body too

I am a tightrope walker

I am inside a cage for human

I am pulling a Mikoshi Shrine

Hubby is a giant and I am a dwarf inside Ames Room

Our friend and his family inside Ames Room

Afterwards we returned to the first floor inside the Wonder Castle building where we saw a giant ball pool. Our friend’s kid became very excited seeing the ball pool filled with colorful balls. The kid, his mother, and I had so much fun playing in the ball pool. We spent about 40 minutes at the ball pool. The amusement park closes at 5 pm and so the kid very reluctantly left the ball pool area where he seemed to have maximum fun.

I am playing in the ball pool

I am playing with the kid in the ball pool

The kid, his mother, and I having fun in the ball pool

Tired hubby and our friend taking rest while we played in the ball pool

We all had a nice time at Akita Furusatomura and left the premises at about 5 pm. We then took our friends back to their home in Akita City. It was about 7.30 pm when we returned to our home in Yurihonjo City. It was a fun filled outing with friends.