Feb.20

We were up at 6 and headed to the mediation service. It was led by 3 male monks and one female. She spoke a little English and did some explaining about the service. The monks all set cross legged on the floor while we set on chairs. It would definitely take discipline to be able to sit cross legged. We completed the service by doing an incense ritual. We have a lot to learn in so many areas! After the service we headed to a room where all the guests were eating breakfast. Each guest room had its own table cordoned off by paper walls. As was Japanese custom, talking was kept to a minimum and voices were kept very soft. One dish that will be served frequently is a bowl of rice, Rice is a highly respected food and eating all of it is what one should do.

We are now eating with chop sticks and hopefully by the time we leave Japan, eating rice with chopsticks should be easier. Breakfast consisted of Miso soup, pickled vegetables, tofu and of course rice.

We packed up our backpacks from our room and left them behind the receptionist. We will pick them up later before we go to the guest house.

The day was foggy and cool as we headed to the Damon Gate which is the main entrance to Koyasan. It stands over 80 feet tall and was built in 1705.

On both sides of the gate our massive guardian gods.

There is a trail that goes around Koyasan and thru these gates ending at the Okunoin.(a sacred Buddhist site also known as the inner sanctuary. We hiked a little part of the trail, but decided to go back to the town and do more exploring there.

A small store on the way back offered cookies, as well as rice and bean cakes. We haven’t noticed any fresh vegetables or fruits in the stores. Our next stop was the Reihokan Museum. This museum houses over 78,000 cultural items. It was a walk back in time as some of the items were from the 6 th century. We are learning so many things about the history of
Buddhism. As expected we traded our shoes for the shoes to be worn in the museum. Don is a bit challenged as his heels stick way over the back of the shoes. It was a quiet morning here as we took our time to check out many of the exhibits.

We stopped at the visitor center to exchange our audio recorder as the battery had died. Our next stop is the Okunoin. On the way we pass numerous small temples as well as fish ponds with brightly marked goldfish.

This memorial was located behind a child’s playground.

Often temples have small ponds with colorful goldfish.

We walked thru town until we came to the Okunoin. We had no idea of its size. Over 200,000 memorials are located here. This Okunoin is one of the most sacred places in Japan. One can walk the approximately two kilometer distance thru the Okunion till you reach Kobo Daisha’s mausoleum. Using our audio recorder we learned about some of the individuals that are interred here. The memorials are from the 6 th century up to modern day. There are monuments here from feudal lords to famous Japanese people. A large number of monks are also interred here. We soon realized that it would take more time than. we had to appreciated all the things that are here. One thing that we noticed are the elegant cedar trees that are alongside the pathways as well as thru the Okunion.

There was a plaque telling about these trees.

We took so many photos, so thought we would share just a few.

Finally we reached the bridge that leads to the location that is Kukai Mausoleum. Right before the bridge are a row of statues that individuals can throw water on while praying for their ancestors.

Shortly after this location was the bridge and the no photo zone. We were heading up to the temple where lies Kobo Daishi who is also known as Kukai. There are places to light candles and do other rituals of the Buddhist faith. It is said that Kobo Daishi is in external meditation here. Our short visit turned into hours and then it was time to retrieve our backpacks and head to the guest house. Along the way we were enticed to stop at an ice cream shop that served their ice cream with a Japanese spice.

Delicious!

We retrieved our packs and once again headed back thru town passing by the Okunoin. We want to visit the Okunoin tonight when the lanterns will be lit. We are glad that the guest house is on this side of town.

It was a great guest house in a perfect location for tonights activity. We had a private room, but most of the guests were in a shared bunk bed room. The owner Ryochi has been running the guest house for 12 years and speaks excellent English. He told us that we should go to the Okunion tomorrow at 6 for a service and then attend a processional of the monks at 9. Once a month on the 21st the monks walk to the mausoleum. Sounds like great timing for us. Ryochi cooked a great meal for us.

After dinner when it was dark we walked back to the Okunoin to check out the lanterns. It was so worth while. We walked back to the bridge that one crosses over during the day. to the temple. In the evening it is not allowed.

It felt like we did 5 days of activity here instead of being here only one day. The bed feels great tonight.