Takachiho Gorge
This shrine was located nearby, and was worth a quick visit.
...I think that tree is having issues...
We decided to walk over a different bridge, and back into the gorge to reach our car. This cheerful fellow was guarding the bridge!
A small produce stand on the other side of the bridge. Each seller had a number in front of their items, and there were numbered locked coin boxes to make a payment.
On the far left were bags of shitake musrooms, selling for 100 yen (~98 cents) per bag, and the cooler box held baby bamboo shoots!
This kind gentleman realized we were a long way from anywhere we needed to be, and after buying 4 bags of mushrooms, he drove us back to our car.
We then drove a short distance to another shrine location, and this one held greater significance.
Here I'm getting a review/lecture on the genealogy of the gods, and apparently every Japanese elementary school student knows this story.
Apparently, the goddess of the sun, for family reasons, decided to hide in a rock located near here. The rock exists, but is not visible from this location.
To view the rock requires a tour guide, and the next tour was a bit late for us.
So many photogenic items!
The rock in question can be seen from behind this building, but it is across the ravine.
...next page.