Weather: Sunny again high of 22*C
Started today with train ride to Ito-Miyanoshita, and walked to Temple 41 (Ryukoji). I then walked to Temple 42(Butsumokuji). Apparently, I was quite lucky as after I got my Nokyocho stamped the monk closed the stamp area, and people who arrived after me were wondering what to do.
At Butsumokuji, I met Mr. Akisue who was doing his 9th Henro. He was my guide and companion through the Hanaga Pass (a dangerous 500m mountain pass). I was glad he was with me as there were many times when the path was not clearly marked and there was one section which was lost due to a landslide, but it was worth the view and “short cut”.
We reached Temple 43 (Meisekiji) at about 2:00pm. The hardest part of walking the 13.7km was the asphalt roads.
On my walk from Meisekiji to the train station we walked through on old part of town and passed an old and famous Ryokan (I have forgotten the name). Part of me wishes I had known about this Ryokan as I would have tried to stay there. Instead I headed back to Uwajima, and my rucksack. I am glad I did that part of the journey with only my zudabukuro (pilgrim’s bag) as the heavy rucksack would have made the Hanaga Pass miserable.
KotsuKotsuLife 
Hi Christina I was so impressed by how small your rucksack is – so it is interesting that you were glad you were not carrying it through the Hanaga Pass… Maybe I need to re-think my packing list… Was it coincidence that you had a companion/guide through the pass? Do you feel like you are getting stronger/fitter with all the walking? Absolutely loving the blog and looking forward to hearing all the details when you get back ?? Rachel
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I think if it was just the Rucksack it would be okay, but with the added weight of the pilgrims’ bag it is a chore. Plus I carry water and snacks/food just incase there are places to get things, like on the mountain pass. (Japan is the land of the vending machines, but there are also long stretches where there is nothing).
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It was a coincidence that I had a companion/ guide through the pass. I was hesitant to walk the pass alone and he later said (to a relative ?) on the phone that he walked the dangerous pass with a Canadian…so it worked out for the best 🤭
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Amazing view from Hanaga Pass!
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