Taniai, Usui Sensei's birthplace

Visit Taniai in Yamagata City where Usui Sensei was born and spent his childhood.  He donated a big Torii-gate to 天鷹神社 Amataka Shrine with his two brothers in April 1923, one year after the foundation of Usui Reiki Ryoho.  blog: Amataka Shrine in Taniai



Bus to Amataka Shrine

1) 谷合靈氣, Taniai Reiki, a Reiki group in Taniai Gifu, will book taxi and bus for you, and meet you in Taniai. 
Estimate of bus prices by Taniai Reiki Association　The capacity below will be reduced to prevent spread of COVID-19.

approximate time

to Amataka Shrine

capacity

price

(including parking fee)

access by train

Nagoya Centrair Airport

 

150 min

1 - 4 60,000 yen Meitetsu Centrair Airport station 
5 - 8 85,000 yen
9 - 14 110,000 yen
15 - 29 120,000 yen
30 -- 135,000 yen

Nagoya Station

 

90 min

1 - 4

55,000 yen

Shinkansen

 

JR Nagoya

 

Meitetsu Nagoya station

5 - 8 75,000 yen
9 - 14 85,000 yen
15 - 29 90,000 yen
30 -- 105,000 yen

Gifu Hashima Station

 

60 min

1 - 4 50,000 yen

Shinkansen

 

Meitetsu

5 - 8 60,000 yen
9 - 14 65,000 yen
15 - 29 75,000 yen
30 -- 85,000 yen

JR Gifu Station

and Hotel in Gifu City

 

45 min

1 - 4 45,000 yen

JR Gifu

 

Meitetsu Gifu station

5 - 8 55,000 yen
9 - 14 60,000 yen
15 - 29 70,000 yen
30 -- 80,000 yen

Note 

  • Book bigger vehicle than the number of people when you ride the bus with your suitcases 
  • There is no translator in bus 
  • 10% tax will be added
  • Shinkansen stops at Shin-Osaka, Kyoto and Gifu Hashima; it does not stop at Gifu.  (41 min from Kyoto to Gifu Hashima)
  • General JR trains stop at Osaka, Kyoto and Gifu. (Not Gifu Hashima)
  • From Gifu Hashima to Gifu is 40 min by Meitetsu train

Restaurant Sanmu

2)  Lunch in 山務 Restaurant Sanmu
  • 30 min bus ride from Amataka shrine
  • Let them know if you have a particular diet.
  • Pay for lunch yourself on the day.  Vegetable lunch: 1,000 yen, 1,200 yen and 1,500 yen / person 
3)  Extra cost
  • 10% tax
  • Pay extra fee when you stay in Taniai longer than 180 minutes (including lunch).
  • 15% in high season: Late April, May, June, September, October and November.  
4) Option
  • Prayer and purification by Shinto priest of Amataka Shrine including Shinto amulet or Ofuda (paper charm), 20 min, 3,000 yen/person in cash on the day
  • Water spring that Usui Sensei's grandfather used to brew Japanese sake.  5 min walk from Amataka Shrine.
  • 善導寺Zendo-ji Buddhism temple where the above water is drawn from the spring.  5 min walk from Amataka Shrine. You must make an appointment.   When Buddhism priest is there, he may give some Buddhism talk.  Usui sensei's ancestor's grave is said to be there, but you are not allowed to see it. 
5)  Translator
  • Taniai Reiki Association does not have a translator.  They have a pocketalk, a small translation device; it 'talks' almost all the languages!  https://pocketalk.jp/  
  • Additional fee is required when you need a translator from station/airport.
6)  Booking
  • Ms. Ryoko Takagi of Taniai Reiki: 
  • Email: reikitaniai@gmail.com
  • Fax:  +81 58 297 2906
  • Call:  +81 90 4160 0000
  • They need your information below to give you a detailed estimate. 
  • Your booking will be confirmed when you pay 30 % of the fee.
  1. Name and language
  2. Email address and telephone number available in Japan
  3. Arrival and departure date and time
  4. Pick up place
  5. One way or round trip
  6. Number of adults and children
  7. Need lunch or not
  8. Vegetarian or not
  9. Prayer and purification in the Shrine or not
  10. Zendo-ji temple or not
  11. Need translator or not
  12. Options you want

7) Caution

  • Book earlier for high season.
  • Trip will be canceled when traffic stops due to heavy snow.
  • Usui Sensei's house does not remain.  Respect the privacy of the neighbors.  Do not enter or take pictures of the premises of ordinary houses.
  • You must inform and reserve parking lot if you come by your car.

8) Tourism and hotel