Linda

Yamanobe Route #2 – March 23, 2025

Location: Kasihara City
Walked: 13 miles
Ascent: 904’ / Descent: 925’
Time: 7h (5h 30m moving)
Weather: 55-70° / sunny with winds 5-10 mph

Worthy photographs…

One shrine honored hens and roosters who were all about. I got a tiny souvenir hen and rooster with fortunes inside.

Favorite view. Plum in bloom. Early for cheer blossoms.

Yamanobe Route #1 – March 23, 2025

Location: Kasihara City
Route: Yamanobe Route
Walked: 13 miles
Ascent: 904’ / Descent: 925’
Time: 7h (5h 30m moving)
Weather: 55-70° / sunny with winds 5-10 mph

OVERVIEW

DRIVE: 20m from Noriko’s home in Kasihara City to Sakurai and start of Yamanobe Route
WALK: 13 miles from Sakurai on Yamanobe Route to Tenri
TRAIN: 15m from Tenri to Sakurai
DRIVE: 20m from Sakurai to Kasihara City
SLEEP: Namiyo & Saburo’s daughter Noriko’s home (granddaughter Akane, and grandson Yuma)

Yamanobe Route is an ancient road in the Nara Prefecture and the oldest road mentioned in Japanese records. Many shrines are along the way.

Norico and Namiyo…daughter and mother enjoying each other’s company.

“Stalking the Wild Asparagus” Japanese style as Norico and Namiyo pilfer horsetail, a delicacy prepared tempera style.

Kōyasan #2 – March 22, 2025

Location: Totsukawa > Kōyasan > Kasihara City
Weather: 55-65° / sunny with winds 2-10 mph

Kōyasan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has over 100 temples.

Kōyasan #1 – March 22, 2025

Location: Totsukawa > Kōyasan > Kasihara City
Weather: 55-65° / sunny with winds 2-10 mph

Kōyasan is the monastic headquarters for Shingon Buddhism founded 1,200 years ago by Kobo Daishi. Kobo Daishi is also attached to Shikoku 88 Buddhist Temple Pilgrimage I did in 2019.

This pilgrim is recognized by his white kimono with black writing on the back. He has completed the pilgrimage twice. After walking Shikoku 88 Buddhist Temple Pilgrimage is good to visit Kōyasan where Kobo Daishi is buried.

Home of Grandfather – March 22, 2025

Location: Totsukawa > Kōyasan > Kasihara City
Weather: 55-65° / sunny with winds 2-10 mph

Yoshiko’s husband inherited the 150 years old home of his grandfather with its spectacular woodwork and furnishings. When the kitchen door suddenly and unexpectedly cracked open, I thought perhaps it was grandfather’s spirit returning.

What a welcomed oxymoron to have the closed off sitting room equipped with microwave and space heater kindly aimed at me.

Goodbye Totsukawa – March 22, 2025

Location: Totsukawa > Kōyasan > Kasihara City
Weather: 55-65° / sunny with winds 2-10 mph

OVERVIEW

DRIVE: 1h 15m from Totsukawa to Namiyo’s ceremonial tea friend Yoshiko’s house in Gojo
DRIVE: 20m from Gojo to Kōyasan
TOUR: Kōyasan
DRIVE: 1h 30m from Kōyasan to Kasihara City
SLEEP: Namiyo & Saburo’s daughter Noriko’s home in Kasihara City. (granddaughter Akane, and grandson Yuma)

Saying goodbye to Totsukawa home.

Namiyo and Saburo’s house from garden view.

Namiyo and Saburo’s home from street level.

Japanese Cuisine – March 22, 2025

Location: Totsukawa
Weather: 55-65° / sunny with winds 2-10 mph

Namiyo has infinite patience teaching me Japanese cuisine. We have made sushi, tempura, rice balls, and ceremony matcha tea. I have learned many techniques but can’t imagine duplicating the ingredients.