Day 19

Weather: cloudy turning into rain in the afternoon.

We (the motley crew aka Makio’s dog pack) met in the lobby at 7:30am to start off on our 6 temple day. Makino is the lone Japanese guy (from Fukuoka) who is kind of like our lead dog.

The first temple was easy: it was across the way from where we were staying. Temple 46 (Joruriji). The temple looked amazing with the light from the threatening rain clouds. Everything had a beautiful green lushness to the garden.

Next was Temple 47 (Yasakaji). It was 1 km away so easy walk. Again the light made the garden and flowers stand out.

After Temple 47 we went to Monjuin (one of the “extra” temples.) I was in a good conversation with Lari (an Aussie and her partner Hedley where the ones I met yesterday) and nearly walked by the temple (which had a giant, hard to miss Kobo Daishi). This is the place that the first pilgrim left from trying to find Kobo Daishi to ask for forgiveness.

Temple 48 (Sairinji) was a temple where there is a Jizo in a middle of a pond where it will grant each person one wish.

Temple 49 (Jodoji)… by this time I was hungry… so kind of rushed through this temple.

After Jodoji we stopped for ramen and Aly (American from California) and I shared a plate of gyoza. Although, it was quite heavy and kind of felt tired after lunch it hit the spot. We soldiered on to Temple 50 (Hantaji). The grounds there were spacious and seemed to have plants and trees that would bloom and make the place beautiful regardless of the season.

After Hantaji, we walked a bit faster to try and get to Temple 51 (Ishiteji) before the heavens opened up. Ishiteji was more like a temple in Kyoto. It was huge! We managed to get our prayers done at the two temples and I explored a cave/ tunnel with Allan and Sam (American professor of Japanese history and son who just graduated high school) before it started to rain.

Ishiteji is where I said goodbye to my travelling companions. They are staying closer to Matsuyama Station and I am staying closer to Dogo Onsen. I was sad to see them go as they were a nice group to walk with and it was nice to talk with and relate to their travel stories. I hope I might be able to see them again.

I went to Dogo Onsen after checking in ( got some kind of coupon from the hotel to let me into the Onsen for free.)

And I did a bit of sightseeing with Usagi-chan. More sightseeing tomorrow.