Temples can be visually overwhelming. I search for something small and unique that can be absorbed. Elephants have been a reoccurring image. Today’s elephant at Temple #63 got a chuckle.
Altering the sequence of temples allowed an early morning start with fresh legs for the first of the last three tallest mountains. As the mountain trail is remote, I arranged to walk with one of the guests at last night’s accommodation. Sharing skills, Akita H. and I had a safe and enjoyable walk ascending 3,000 feet. One down, two to go.
Why was I not surprised to meet Ishihara S. at the top? He’s been charging full steam ahead since Temple #40 as I hop trains. New friends and re-acquaintances are daily treasures.
Climbing the road to Temple #58, a gentleman stopped his car to hand me many o-settias. They bring constant joy to a long day of walking. My bag of candy because o-settias at Temple #58 shared with o-henros and staff. The beautiful cloths bags are light enough for me to carry home as a permanent reminder of the kindness of Shikoku.
School girls starting their day in their smart uniforms. These sturdy bikes, without gears, are the popular models. They are peddled by young and old. As I plodded up a hill later in the day, an elderly man glided by me on his bike. Such fit people.
Short sighted and long sighted. When making reservation, you have to anticipate the following two night’s reservations. Make sure the distance between accommodations and the difficulty of the route are manageable. After all, you don’t want to arrive at your distance without a futon.
A staff member from Cyclo no le spent hours working with me counting kilometers, reviewing elevation plans, pinpointing accommodations, locating train stations, and making reservations through Temple #88. Having done this, his comment was, “I feel as though I actually walked 88 Temples.” What a generous and deeply appreciated act of kindness.
Cherry blossoms and temples, very good reasons for coming to Japan.
Christine and I take our last selfie before she disembarks the train. A final goodbye. As her stay in Shikoku is two months, she has the luxury of walking by the sea. I must continue on “rapid” transit as my stay is less than six weeks.
At Temple #54, a surprising hello from Ishihara S. whom I met March 31 at Temple #40. He doesn’t walk, he charges never riding buses or trains. Hard core!
There’s always welcoming benches at the temples. As a habit, I pick a bench close to the Temple Office to leave my backpack while making the temple rounds. With somewhat similar temples, it’s all too easy to forget where you set your backpack. O-henros never sit long before pulling out the infamous Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide...always plotting.
Temple #25. This poster reminded me of Naomi N. She taught me the proper prayer hand position with overlapping fingers.
Matsuyama is one of the four largest urban cities on the 88 Temple Route. Christina and I took advantage of its tram line rather navigate on foot with the turns and twist of a city.
Linda Scandore 