Category: 88 Buddhist 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. 

Temple.
Temple.
Kobo Daishi image carving.
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.

Koyasan’s Konpon Daitō – Thursday, April 18, 2019

  • Thursday, April 18, 2019 Day 36 Temples: Koyasan
  • Koyasan (53 miles from Ōsaka), Japan
  • Weather: 55-65 degrees blue skies
  • Miles 108 miles (bus, walk, car) / Total Miles 794

Konpon Daitō, the 174 foot tall pagoda, is the symbol of Koyasan.

  1. Konpon Daitō
  2. Konpon Daitō, Namiyo and Saburo T.
  3. Bell at Konpon Daitō’s

Koyasan’s Okunion – Thursday, April 18, 2019

  • Thursday, April 18, 2019 Day 36
  • Temples: Koyasan
  • Koyasan (53 miles from Ōsaka), Japan
  • Weather: 55-65 degrees blue skies
  • Miles 108 miles (bus, walk, car) / Total Miles 794

Okunion is a most sacred place and the largest graveyard in Japan with over 200,000 graves. Included is mausoleum of Kōbō Daishi. It is said he is here in eternal meditation.

  1. Saburo explains this tomb is a famous ancient samurai
  2. Ancient Tomb
  3. Contemporary tomb of a comedian

Lobsters – Thursday, April 18, 2019

  • Thursday, April 18, 2019 Day 36
  • Temples: Koyasan
  • Koyasan (53 miles from Ōsaka), Japan
  • Weather: 55-65 degrees blue skies
  • Miles 108 miles (bus, walk, car) / Total Miles 794

My last onsen. I kept stepping out of the hotel’s bath only to return. Capture the moment as this will be an often recalled memory. It feels like your body is encased in hot liquid wax. The hot water encapsulate you. When this becomes too hot, lower yourself into an ice cold bath. You sense your skin being cold but the internal residual heat keeps you hot at the same time. Soon the body is numbed by the icy cold bath and you still sense the residual heat keeping you hot. It’s ecstasy.

Do lobsters feel this euphoric before they are cooked alive?

  1. Koyasan
  2. Koyasan
  3. Koyasan

Yukata – Wednesday, April 17, 2019

  • Wednesday, April 16, 2019 Day 35
  • Temples: #1
  • Tokushima, Japan
  • Weather: 55-65 degrees overcast
  • Miles 21.5 miles (bus, 3 trains & walk) / Total Miles 686

All I wanted was a simple yukata like the ones presented each night for the o-henros to wear. The shop ladies insisted this was a yukata though I showed her pictures of the comforter attire I was in search.

As beautiful as the garnet is I explained it took a dresser to put it on me and I didn’t know how to tie the sash. Her reply was, “Tie the sash in front and twist it to the back. You can learn how to tie it on YouTube.” I didn’t make the purchase but thanked them for making me so pretty.

  1. Yukata?
  2. Yukata?
  3. Yukata?

Unbelievable – Wednesday, April 17, 2019

  • Wednesday, April 16, 2019 Day 31
  • Temples: #1
  • Tokushima, Japan
  • Weather: 55-65 degrees overcast
  • Miles 21.5 miles (bus, 3 trains & walk) / Total Miles 686

Unbelievable, the last stamp and ink drawing in my book.

Unbelievable, the last of many reunion with o-henro Ishihara H. We initially met going to Temple #40 on March 31. Unavoidable destiny. But, hasn’t the whole journey been an unavoidable destiny?

  1. Video of final stamp book entry
  2. O-henro Ishihara H.
  3. O-henro Ishihara H.

Victorious – Wednesday, April 17, 2019

  • Wednesday, April 16, 2019 Day 35
  • Temples: #1
  • Tokushima, Japan
  • Weather: 55-65 degrees overcast
  • Miles 21.5 miles (bus, 3 trains & walk) / Total Miles 686

Yesterday arriving at Temple #88, I was consumed with emotions…the difficulty of the day, having to say goodbye to my fellow o-henros, ending a life that fits in a backpack, leaving the care of each shukubō, minshuku, ryokan, and hotel.

Today I am victorious returning to Temple #1. Confident. In grasp of the true enormity of going to Shikoku 88 Temples. Thankful I have been able to do. Appreciative of all the help along the way.

  1. Guaranteed success finding Temple #1
  2. Guaranteed success finding Temple #1. Oh, why wasn’t the rest so easy?
  3. Victory Dance

Worn Away – Wednesday, April 17, 2019

  • Wednesday, April 16, 2019 Day 35
  • Temples: #1
  • Tokushima, Japan
  • Weather: 55-65 degrees overcast
  • Miles 21.5 miles (bus, 3 trains & walk) / Total Miles 686

One o-henro points out how his walking staff is inches shorter since the start. It’s worn away with miles. Fortunately the miles have been more gentle on our bodies.

  1. Departing O-henros. Vending machines stay
  2. Departing O-henros
  3. Cat Stays

Certified – Tuesday, April 16, 2019

  • Tuesday, 2019 April 16, Day 34
  • Temples: #88
  • Sanuki City, Japan
  • Weather: 55-60 degrees blue skies with white clouds
  • Miles 10.2 miles (walk & car) / Total Miles 664.5

Certification of being an official o-henro ambassador to carry on Shikoku’s culture history. During 2018, forty Americans received this official certification.

Arnold left me TWO Canadian label pins, the dearest miniature o-henro, a cat charm, and the warmest note. What a sweetheart!

  1. Hand Ink Brushed Certification From Temple #88
  2. Certification from Maeyama Ohento Kōryū Salon
  3. Arnold’s Gifts