Kinugawa Hot Spa Resort

Kinuta / Fujiwara Ikuzou

Hankaki / Fujiwara Ikuzou

This statue is in the *Hankaki* pose 

- a Buddhist seated posture in which one leg is crossed over the other thigh.

A statue of an ogre named Kinuta, depicted in this pose, stands at the foot of Kinuiwa Bridge in the Kinugawa Onsen area of ​​Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture.

Kinuko / Fujiwara Ikuzou

Primavera / Mine Takashi

Limited Express Nikko (Blue 253 Series)

Limited Express Nikko (Blue 253 Series)

I Go To Kinugawa Hot Spa Resort

Kinugawa Hot Spa Resort area was extensively developed for tourism in the 1970s.

But, it has experienced severe economic difficulties after a downturn caused by the 1990s recession.

We went there with my family members the other day.

It was unknown how severe recession was, the autumn scenery was definitely beautiful.

Devil Statues and The Way I Take Pictures

These are devil statues displayed at several places of sightseeing spots in Kinugawa Onsen town. 

Most tourists take pictures of themselves with the statues. 

I was not the exception.

All photos of today's post were taken by my wife, Kiyono using her smartphone.

I Go to Ryuoukyo Valley

There were lots and lots of beautiful waterfalls and well-maintained hiking trails along the river in Ryououkyo valley.

We enjoyed healthy walking and beautiful scenery there.

Monuments and a Wild Bird at Kinugawa Onsen Resort

Kinugawa Hot Spa Resort is located at upstream of Kinu river or Kinugawa river, literally "angry demon river."

I guess that is the reason the village people placed demon statues at different area around the resort for a tourist’s attraction.

The figure is named Kinuta and is loved as a charm of a matchmaking and an easy delivery of a baby.