Deep connection between Nara and Wakasa region of Fukui Prefecture

It is said that long ago, a deity of Wakasa was late for a gathering of Gods at Todaiji Temple in Nara, so he donated sacred water to a well at the temple from Wakasa as an apology.

 

Even today, they say that Nara and Wakasa has been connected through the well,
and the event “Omizuokuri”(deliver water) is held at Jinguji Temple in Obama City, Wakasa, and ten days later “Omizutori”(draw water) is held at the Todaiji Temple in Nara.

Also, both cities have been sister cities for the history more than 1,200 years.

 

By the way, speaking of Nara, “Kakinoha-zushi”(pressed sushi wrapped with persimmon leaves) is well known. Its fish meat is mackerel, and in the past, it was caught in the Kumano-nada Sea and it used to be transported to Nara via Kumano-kaido Road.

 

Incidentally, there is a town called “Wakasa” in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture.
This is because many people migrated to Okinawa from Kansai region during Ryukyu Kingdom era, and at that time, the local people thought that Kansai was called Wakasa.

In fact, in Wakasa region, unlike the northern region(Echizen), its dialect is similar to the Kansai dialect, so we could say that Wakasa is a part of Kansai culture region. (H.S)

 

Todaiji Temple Great Buddha Hall

 

The Great Buddha (15 meters tall)