Feb.28
We both fell into a deep sleep last night.. We are enjoying experiencing the futon on the floor. For breakfast this morning we decided to go to a French bakery located in the train station. We have stopped there several times and have never been disappointed. The only challenge is limiting yourself to what you really need. Everything looks so good and it seems they keep bringing out trays of newly baked goods. We grabbed a couple items for the walk today and headed back to get our backpacks.
For the next mile and half we will be walking on city streets. It is a weekday and the streets are crowded. Most bicyclists and there are plenty of them share the sidewalk with us. Most are school age students heading to school. It is fun to check out all the different uniforms. We especially like the younger age children who have great hats for their grade level.
We haven’t seen many campers or vans so it was interesting when we passed by this show room. We have mainly been on very small streets which would be hard for a larger motor vehicle to use.
After being on the flat city streets, it was nice to get away from all of the noise and head up to the temple. It seems like a lot of temples are located on a hill often surrounded by trees. It also seems like most of the temples have a good number of stairs involved to reach them.
A couple things at this temple that stood out to us was the large statue of Kobo Dashi and many small Buddha statues.
The bell tower was also unique.
We took a break after spending some time here and had some lunch from the bakery. Then it was walking to Temple 19. We were glad to be back in a rural area again. The path took us thru a bamboo forest and then on to a smaller road,
It seemed at one time the bamboo trees were harvested as there were rusty conveyor belts that could remove the trees. We were glad the wind wasn’t blowing as it felt like in a windstorm it would be like walking thru a game of pick up sticks. The Henro trail took us right by a barn yard that had cows with huge horns inside the barn. We have been fascinated by the route. Often there are several options. One route tends to take more of a wilderness path.. We often try to do that trail, unless we have been warned that is is in bad shape. Eventually our trail comes out of the forest and onto a small paved road. In a nearby field we notice almost a dozen wind vanes that are made using animal shapes.
As we are watching the animals move in the wind. A man on a motorcycle going in the opposite direction stops and comes across the road to talk to us. He speaks a little English and we understand what he is saying. He told us that he was a Buddhist and that when we visit the temples and pray that we should pray for peace. We agree and will make that one a priority when we visit the temples.
We pass by a unique rest area. This one was built by the Henro Goya project that is a privately funded project that builds open rest huts along the route.
Rest areas are often noted by the red Henro figure.
Our next stop is Tatsueji (19)
Colorful banners hang over the entrance gate.
This temple also had many origami shapes of cranes which are a peace symbol
Next door to the temple was a fruit and vegetable shop. Soon we are eating ripe strawberries and crunchy carrots.
Further down the street was a table with a box of oranges, offering then to pilgrims.
The next stretch of highway was busy and not much berm. Glad we had our fluorescent green belts on. Finally we reached a small town that holds an annual doll festival. The hall where the festival and displays of dolls wasn’t real close, but most of the stores had displays of dolls in front of them.
The displays were so colorful. Nearby was a parking lot filled with cars and a sign promoting the beginning of the cherry blossom season.
In a couple of weeks there is a prediction that the cherry blossom season will be in full force.
On the other side of the town is where we are staying for the night. We know we are getting close when neighbors of the host start pointing the way. A woman appears behind a fence and shows us the way to her house. She is very welcoming and uses a translator to speak into to give us directions. First she show us our room.
After she served us a cup of tea, it was time for a bath. She and her husband have both been to all of the temples. A beautiful scroll showing the names of the temple was in our room.
Dinner was served at 6 and it was a 5 star. We had never tasted a battered shrimp so fresh.
She kept a running conversation with us while we were eating using the translator.
After dinner she tried to explain the difference between white rice and brown rice.
There was a lot of laughter as we realized that the translator was not correct.
Her son in law and grand daughter stopped to say hi.
Her daughter had helped to cook the delicious meal. By 8 we were ready for bed.
Accommadation Milan no Yada
Miles walked 16