When visiting Kyōto, it is almost impossible to escape the ringing harmony of Japanese spirituality echoing from any number of temples and shrines. And, since the final days of Medieval Japan, the Nanjō Kōbō Foundry has taken part in the creation of traditional musical instruments intended for use in Shintō and Buddhist rites, rituals, and celebrations.

The town of Busshōzan seems to rise from the surrounding fields in an almost casual kind of way and the meandering Shōwa Era streets and alleys stand in some sort of juxtaposition to the concrete-framed corporate culture of Takamatsu City to the north. Literally meaning, “Living Buddha Mountain” the town might be forgotten were it not for the popular Busshōzan Onsen which opened only as recently as 2005.