April 15

We enjoyed our evening at Inn Tec Tec. We met Benjamin from France who had met very few Henroes walking the whole route. Sounded similar to us. We both find it hard to believe that today we will be visiting Temple 88. We make a stop at the 7/11 store to buy some bread for the hike today.

It has the same color markings as the USA. The bread shelves were almost depleted. It must have been a busy day yesterday. We walk by a rice field that had just been flooded.

On our map we see the Henro Museum and head to it. Then there he is, Takumi. He said he would be there and he is. He is really excited to see us and to show us the museum.

The museum was a great stop to learn more about the pilgrimage and to check out the diorama in the first room

Around the display there were lights by the photo of each temple. You could touch the light and it would light up on the display. It was great to check the route and see where the highest temples were located. What amazed us was the very mountainous terrain in the center of the island. We had seen very little of the island.

In another room there were many things to keep our attention. There was a photograph of earlier Henroes.

There was a display of all the different colors of the osame_Fuda(nameslips) One uses the white name slip if you have gone 1-4 times around the 88 route and the brocade one if you have gone 100 plus times.

There was also an example of clothing worn in earlier years.

There was also examples of calligraphy that was done at each temple and it hadn’t changed over the years. Each stroke was precise.

The women that was volunteering at the front desk was a friend of Tomo who we met early near temple 12 and had lunch with her near Temple 77. We got a completion certificate here, but will also get one at Temple 88. It feels like the end is coming, but first we have to get there.

There are two ways to get to the temple. One can walk the road which is the easier way, or climb up over a mountain and go down to the temple. Takumi really wants us to do the mountain route, which we were planning to do. When he suggests that he would like to take our backpacks to the temple we think that is a great idea. We say good by and figure that we will see him at the temple. We are soon walking in the forest, one of our favorite places to walk.

Having a stream next to the trail is always nice.

The little red arrows are placed along the trail. We figured that we would see Takumi at the temple, but that is not the case. The road switches back and forth and the trail goes straight up. Several times we cross the road and Takumi is there waiting for us. In fact the last time that we cross the road before the last steep hike to the top.Takumi has chairs and treats set out for us. He want us to have nourishment before doing the last section. He has been quite the mentor to us.

We are thankful that our backpacks are in his car. This is a steep climb.

There is even rungs and chains to help you get to the summit.

When we reach the summit, Takumi is waiting for us. He had parked the car and climbed up from the temple to meet us. We take a look around and feel really blessed that we are getting this view on a clear day.

I am sure Takumi said WOW! That was one of his favorite expressions.

There was a little haze, but overall spectacular.

Heading towards the temple there was a small rest area with a register. Takumi had been here two weeks ago and wrote this in the book.

As well as this

Heading back down and checking the view point to see the temples below.

Takumi walks down with us and we decide to go eat at the Udon Restaurant before visiting the Halls and get our completion certificate.

Passing down thru the gate and heading to the Udon Restaurant.

Takumi treated us to lunch and showed us the proper way to eat noodles by slurping.

Takumi leaves us so we can go explore the temple. We check out the other large gate that is on the other side of the temple grounds. We pass the staffs that have been carried around the pilgrimage route. There are ceremonial rituals of the burning of the staffs twice a year.

We ask Takumi what he thinks about Don taking his staff back to Koysan and leaving it where we were given it. He thinks that would be fine so we won’t be leaving it here.

The gate is impressive and so are the deities.

One has their mouth closed and one has their mouth open.

We walk around looking at the grounds visiting the halls and doing the rituals one last time.

Finally we go to the office to get our certificate of completion. It is somewhat of a long process as they look at our book and ask a couple of questions and then the signing of our certificate with our names. When we got to the office we were the only ones there and the Monk had plenty of time to help us with the certificate. Before we went to lunch there were several groups here and a lot of them were in the office getting their books signed.

We have completed the Pilgrimage. Don and I have decided to take two more days to walk back to temple One and complete the circle.

Takumi has made arrangements for us to stay at the guest house very close to the Temple. He is already there so we walk over and meet the host. She shows us our room and draws the bath for us. One thing that Don has been challenged with this whole trip is wearing the shoes that are provided for indoor shoes. There has never been a pair that fits him.

We get called for dinner and what a celebration dinner is before us. The pink rice is made for special occasions.

This has been such a special day made better by meeting Takumi earlier on our walk. We are blessed with the memories that he helped make for us.

Accommodation : M Yasokubo

Miles walked 9