April 2

We woke about 5 and were happy that no one had come up during the night. It was so peaceful with the bubbling stream below us and the cherry tree in full bloom beside us. The climb up to Temple 60 is about a mile and a half, which doesn’t sound too bad until you realize there is an average climb of 28%. This is known as a “Henro Korogashi” the place where pilgrims fall down. If it is raining it is recommended that you avoid this trail. We started up and were immediately surrounded by the forest.

We enjoyed the stream that our path followed.

Stone bridges helped with the stream crossing. We continue to hike up.

We have arrived to the gate.

It was just about 8 when we crossed under the gate. Temples usually open around 8, There was only one other pilgrim here when we arrived.

I wish I could play a video of this bird singing. Almost as soon as we arrived a small wren started singing from the top of one of the buildings. It was magical.

This temple is known for the blooming of the Rhododendron in May.

Behind this statue of Kobo Daishi are the rhododendron plants.

The Bell sounded thru out the mountain. This temple is located at one of the highest area about 2,460 feet.

There have only been a few people here since we arrived. Each person lights 3 incense sticks.

No one was at this hall. We decided to climb up to the okunion behind the temple to get a vies of Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest peak on Shikoku.

We have been blessed with the weather.
When we returned back to the temple grounds, a tour bus had arrived.

It wasn’t as peaceful as when we first arrived.

We have about 4 miles of downhill hiking then a couple of miles on flat ground.

This trail also has some steep down hills. We pass a waterfall that can be used for water meditation. We took our time as we didn’t want to become the pilgrim that fell down and remained there.

Eventually we made it down to the bottom, going by a huge gravel plant, that was quite old. We were looking forward to checking out the 7/11 store before the next temple. We could almost taste the smoothie, but alas this store didn’t have a smoothie machine. The next best thing is frozen blueberries with yogurt. With food in our stomachs we were ready to check out the next 3 temples. Koonji temple 61 had a unique hall that almost looked like a gymnasium. It doubled as the main hall as well as the Dashido Hall

Building can hold over 650 people and is used as a conference center. The cherry blossoms have become one of our focuses.

We never tire of looking at the blossoms.

The next temple was less than a mile away and is very small squeezed between a highway and a railroad. For awhile due to its small size. bus groups were not allowed to come. This has changed. What Hojuji lacks in size, it makes up for it in some of the colorful displays.

The flags were over where the ladles are for washing your hands. In the water are blue and yellow beads.

The halls though small were draped with purple cloth.

One of my favorite displays were the wind chimes that chimed when the wind blew.

Our next and last temple for the day is about a mile away.

We enter the gate to Kichijoji.

We liked the elephants guarding the entrance.

This temple like temple 53 also had a hidden statue of the Virgin Mary. This was so Christians could worship here when it was forbidden and do so in disguise. We were never sure if we found the Virgin Mary..

Leaving the last temple for the day.

We have been in contact with Clark who we met the first day. He is probably about a week ahead of us so we enjoy getting his updates. He recommended a Udon restaurant that is near the group of Temples. He described the location and we were able to find it. We are definitely ready for lunch. The restaurant was cafeteria style and was quite busy. After watching several people get in line and get food, we were ready to go for it. I am sure we were asked questions, that we didn’t understand, but the end result was we got some delicious Udon noodles.

It is proper in Japan to slurp your needles. We are working on that. While there Don checked out the Cherry Blossom report. We should be hitting peak real soon.

We are on the island south of Hiroshima.

Our next task is to find our lodging for the night. We have basic directions, and with the help of neighbors pointing we found Nojima House. Our host is waiting there to give us directions. He doesn’t live in the house but invites pilgrims to stay there while on their pilgrimage. We are the only ones in the house tonight and have an upstairs room. He asks us if we would like to go to dinner with him and gives us some choices. Don is excited about trying Sushi and when the option comes up we says yes! He said I will pick you up at 7. It has been a long day, so we take s short nap and are ready to go when Mr. Taniguchi returns. Mr Taniguchi has a reputation on Facebook for being one of the nicest hosts and we agree, He is very helpful. Off we go and it seems like this restaurant is not real close. I almost fall asleep in the back seat. When we pull in we see the name of the restaurant. It is Hamazushi. This is the sushi restaurant that we wanted to go to a couple of towns back, but we weren’t sure how it worked.

No worries tonight we have a guide. The restaurant is almost fully automated. When you walk in the door there is a computer that you punch with how many are in your party. You are given a number and then which table you will sit at. When our turn comes we head off to our table.

At each booth there is a conveyor belt just above the table. You can it in this photo. At the table is an iPad with the menu of items. You push the key of the item you want and soon here comes your food winging down the conveyor belt and stopping at your table

He ordered items just to see them stop at our table. It was so much fun.

After even ordering a dessert, it was time to head back to Nojima House and reflect on our day. Not to mention this was our 47th wedding anniversary.

Accommodation Nojima House

Miles hiked 12