March 28
Last night we told our hosts that we wanted to leave by 6. We have some steep terrain to walk down and if all goes as planned we will visit five temples of the 88 temples and one Bekkaku temple. After the temples we will head to our hotel in Matsuyama. This is the most temples we have visited in one day so hopefully we won’t feel rushed. According to the information that we have read, the grounds are relatively small and close to each other. Just as we were packing up we hear a knock on the door and it is our host with some packets of food for us. He wanted to say good by and wish us well. This has been a great stay.
It is first light as we make our way down to the road. The trail is steep and slippery, We are glad we have our trekking poles and staff. Easy does it and soon our feet are on solid ground and we can see the new direction is up. We pass by several houses and see these life sized puppets dressed up in warm clothing standing outside a house.
There are several more puppets as we continue up the road. Not sure if it is true, but someone said they represent people that have moved. There are two ways to get to the first temple. We can continue on the road or find a trail that will take us down the mountain. We look for the trail. Soon we see a sign going way from the road and go that way.
Way below us we see the town of Matsuyama. We have some steep hiking ahead. After a couple of hours going down and more down, we arrive to the first Temple Joruiji.
Joruji is the first of the 8 temples that are in the Matsuyama area. We head up the stairs to check it out.
It is almost garden like as we wind around the numerous plants to find the different halls. The red Tori gate stands out.
An old juniper in the middle of the grounds stands over 60 feet tall and is said to be over 1000 years old
There is a rock to put your hands on for good health.
And also one for your feet.
We enjoyed walking thru all of the pathways. Once again this is a very different temple
The next temple is less than a mile away.
We pass houses with beautiful potted flowers outside.
We approach the temple Yasakaji and walk up to the gate.
This temple is known as the temple of eight slopes. Apparently there were 8 different roads that met at this temple.
As usual we do our routine and try to see as much as possible. We are feeling more rushed than we usually do.
Colorful banners on one of the paths.
Between this temple and Sairinji Is Bekkaku 9. We head in to check it out.
After visiting the halls we went into get our book signed and were given two small dolls as Osettai.
A couple of miles later we head up the pathway to visit Sairinji.
The temple means Temple of the western Forest.
The buildings are tightly packed between a canal and highway, It was easy to check out the grounds.
It is a rainy day and not many people are visiting this temple.
The gardens are well taken care of.
A lot of temples have the goldfish pond.
It is a another short walk to the next temple Jodoji . Last week we went several days not visiting temples, now we are visiting 6 in one day. Once again steps lead us to the gate.
The deities on both sides had colorful strings of origami cranes.
There was a group of Japanese pilgrims visiting this temple. We enjoy listening to their chants often done as a group.
The last temple that we plan to visit today is Hantaji. We pass a shrine on the way displaying the Japanese flag.
We are always amazed when the route takes as on narrow sidewalks between houses.
We climb the steps to the last temple of the day,
Beautiful linens and strands of orgami are in front of one of the halls.
The bell tower dates back to 1696 and has 24 beautiful paintings on its ceiling.
Being underneath has protected them from damage.
Cherry blossoms are beginning.
From the temple grounds we can see the city of Matsuyama where we are headed. It is beginning to rain. We are glad that we got to visit all the temples and are ready to go find our hotel.
We walk back to the hotel with the rain pouring and our umbrellas put to good use. Walking along the city streets, obeying the traffic lights and watching out for cars is such a contrast from being in the mountains this past week. We find our business hotel called Comfort Inn. We check in at the desk, get our key to a room on the eleventh floor and pick up a breakfast ticket for tomorrow morning. Apparently the hotel is pretty full so breakfast is eating in shifts. After arriving to our room, we turn on the TV to the information channel. We scroll down to the laundry facilities and discover it tells how many machines are in use and if in use when the cycle will be completed.
laundry soap is included and is automatically added to the wash.
Don and I went down together to put our laundry into the machine. We did not use our room card to open and shut the elevator door. I went down to retrieve our laundry with my yugata (bath robe) on. I didn’t realize that after 5;00 you needed to use your room key to operate the elevator. I ended up getting stuck in the elevator till a kind woman alerted the desk to my situation. I was able to return to our room and get the room card before returning to get the laundry. Tonight we planned out the day for tomorrow. We plan on visiting 3 temples and then take a train back to the station near our hotel.