Sisinkai Headquarters

Last fall, I was driving around looking for a spot to eat a bento. I found this road, wide and clean. It looked like an entrance for a temple. Yes, I looked like a temple but I have never seen such kind of architecture in Shinto or Boudhist. This is the headquarters of the Sisinkai. The 思親会 is a new religion of the Lotus sutra system. Religion founded in 1938, feb 11th.
This is the only information I could get so I imagine it as a minor religion.

Here a slideshow from someone who went there during the Sakura

http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~tougaku/top/006kankou/004sisinkai/sisinkai.htm
Map

Mount Oyama

Oyama is a place I already been. The touristic area streets and the hiking road, I know. This time I wanted to get into the back streets. Plus, to be really honest, the line to get to the upper parking lot made me escape the place.

Just by taking the small roads, it make you find some good spots. A small waterfall, some ryokan and onsen (as usual in this area) and temple. Nothing thrilling as you can see but fine enough to make your day.

Oyama

Oyama is a mount located in Isehara city, in the Tanzawa Natsional Park. I went there myself few years ago for a little walk through the hiking course. There is few events there and the main one is the Tofu festival held in end of February, around the last week end. Next matsuri will be soon, end of August. (28th~29th). It is a mikoshi (people carrying a shrine on their shoulders)

Oyama has 3 levels. Lower level with all the restaurants and shops. You can have a tofu based lunch or diner after your hicking. They close early on the Low season. 4~5pm if I remember well.

You have also a cable-car station. It will bring you to the second level where you can find a temple, the Ōyama-dera. The cable-car has a sub-station in the middle but you only have access to some hicking tracks. Nothing else.

To reach the Top Level, you will have to walk. It is not that hard. I did it with a 1yo baby on my back. Dirt and big stones so do not come with high hills like the basic japanese dating girl. From the top, you will have a clear view through the shonan area to Yokohama. You can see the Fuji from the other side. The shrine on the top end, Ōyama-Afuri Jinja, has nothing impressive, even disapointing. Do not come for this. Come to enjoy the walk and the nature.

Take the Oyama Cable Station-bound bus from the North Exit of Isehara Station on the Odakyu Line and get off at the last stop (30 minutes)
If you come by car, you will find some "private owned" parkings for 1000~1500¥/1day. (I went in December). Forget the baby car, stairs start from the first shops.

Wikipedia (eng)
Tourist Info

Oyama, Tanzawa