Osaka midori no hyaku-sen (61-70)
61. 農林技術センターのイチョウ並木
Date of photo: 2022/11
Certain parts of this facility are open to the public, and we really enjoyed the forested area. The M100 stone is right where it should be, near the entrance along the road with the イチョウ並木.
62. 壺井八幡宮の楠
Date of photo: 2022/11
This was a real hidden gem. We walked over from the 石川河川公園 a little ways north. Lots to see in and around this shrine. You can't miss the M100 stone going in the main entrance (a set of stairs on the south side).
63. 辛国神社参道
Date of photo: 2022/11
This is a well-known shrine in Fujii-dera city, very easy to find and quite pleasant to walk around. For some reason we always park nearby the city hall and walk around to explore this town, but there is a parking lot for visitors to this shrine. The M100 stone is simple to spot.
64. 道明寺天満宮の梅園
Date of photo: 2022/11
One of the best-known spots in Fujii-dera, and really a top-tier temple in the Kansai region. I came by here once on my own in 2008, not at that time knowing of the M100 stones. Fast-forward 14 years later, and the place is as memorable as ever. Finding the M100 stone is easy.
65. 狭山池
Date of photo: 2023/02
A huge pond, with a fantastic museum. Very pleasant to walk around, always quite bustling with activity. Unfortunately, no M100 stone here.
66. 狭山神社
Date of photo: 2023/02
This shrine is within walking distance of number 65, and there is an easy-to-find M100 stone here, so I considered 65 and 66 to essentially be one instance lumped together.
67. 叡福寺
Date of photo: 2022/08
This is a very well-known temple, one of the key centers of worship of the legendary Shotoku Taishi, who is the namesake of the town this temple is located in. It is also said to be the site of his grave, and there are all sorts of interesting stories, some true and some likely fabricated, surrounding this grave. Definitely worth a visit. The M100 stone is right near the road on the south side of the temple.
68. 小野妹子の墓
Date of photo: 2022/08
Lush greenery, lovely flowers (especially around June), and a rich history surrounding the supposed grave of ono-no-imoko, one of the best-known 遣隋使. In the summer, it can be extremely humid in and around this forested area, but still a great spot to visit. Not too far of a walk from number 67.
69. 二上山
Date of photo: 2023/07
One of the best-known mountains on the Nara-Osaka border. Great views from the top. We've visited a number of times over the years, but the M100 stone discovery was quite recent. To get to the M100 stone, head up to the main ascent path on the Osaka side, just off route 166. A safe bet is to search for 二上山万葉の森登山口. As I recall, the stone is quite close to the start of the path.
70. 弘川寺
Date of photo: 2022/10
This temple was great. Beautiful woods surrounding the temple itself, with quite well-maintained paths for walking. I also recall a nice coffee stall in front of the temple, with some very pleasant hammocks for relaxing. The M100 stone was quite easy to find.