takeo shrine: takeo City, Japan

Takeo City in Saga Prefecture is easily accessible by the JR Takeo Onsen Station and is known for their Hasami pottery.  As you explore, you can sample their ceramic pieces around town or even experience pottery making with one of the local artisans.

Within a 20-minute walk from the train station, you can explore Takeo Shrine and The Great Takeo Camphor Tree.  Takeo Shrine was first built in the year 735 in the Nara period and is a famous spiritual location that is said to bring good fortune for marriage.  Behind the Takeo Shrine in the bamboo forest lives the Great Takeo Camphor Tree, an ancient 3000-year-old tree and the 6th biggest tree in Japan.  This sacred tree was also the inspiration of the famous anime by Miyazaki, “My Neighbor Totoro”.