Category: Tokushima Prefecture #1-#24

• Monday, March 18, 2019 / Brother’s Birthday, Day 5
• Temples #14, #15, ,#16, #17, #18
• Komatsushima City, Japan
• Weather: 32-45 degrees,
• 16.7 Miles / 61.7 Miles

Patterns are quickly determined at each Buddhist Temple as they are uniformly composed of the same six elements. Temple Gate, Water Bath, Temple Bell, Main Temple, Kobo Daishi’s Temple and Office for marking stamp books. It is with purpose I move between each Temple lighting incense sticks, candles, offering prayer slips and donations. The I sit taking in the beauty and being at peace.

1. Temple #15 Temple Gate with Sif from Denmark
2. Temple #15 Kobo Daishi
3. Temple #14 Water Bath Guarded by Dragons

Sunday, March 17, 2019, Day 4

Temples #13

Mima, Japan

Weather: 35-45 degrees, overcast with light rains.

11.8 Miles / 45 Miles

Bus Tours. Most pilgrims come by motorized vehicles.

1. Temple #13
2. Temple #13 Gate
3. Pilgrim who walks and travels by train

• Sunday, March 17, 2019, Day 4
• Temples #13
• Mima, Japan
• Weather: 35-45 degrees, overcast with light rains.
• 11.8 Miles / 45 Total Miles

Between mountains, fertile flatland is maximized.

1. Crops
2. Child’s Play
3. Daffodiles

• Sunday, March 17, 2019, Day 4
• Temples #13
• Mima, Japan
• Weather: 35-45 degrees, overcast with light rains.
• 11.8 Miles / 45 Total Miles

Approaching Spring.

1. Forest
2. Blossoms
3. Flowering Tree

• Saturday, March 16, 2019, Day 3
• Temples #11 and #12
• Mima, Japan
• Weather: 35-45 degrees, strong winds with white clouds in blue skies
• 14.2 Miles / 33.2 Total Miles

Room for one… tonight’s room was larger than my home’s living room. The minimalist decor created a calm affect. The ceiling beams were wider than I am.

Ryokan accommodations have private rooms with shared bathrooms. Dinner and breakfast are included. Price? 7,000/$63.

1. Ryokan
2. Ryokan
3. Ryokan

• Saturday, March 16, 2019, Day 3
• Temples #11 and #12
• Mima, Japan
• Weather: 35-45 degrees, strong winds with white clouds in blue skies
• 14.2 Miles / 33.2 Total Miles

Futons? Goldilocks would have said, “Just right.” Though the bed rests on the floor, several thick layers of mattresses allow you to sink down without sacrificing support. I sandwiched myself between fuzzy soft bedding.

1. Futon
2. Futon
3. Futon

• Saturday, March 16, 2019, Day
• Temples #11 and #12
• Mima, Japan
• Weather: 35-45 degrees, strong winds with white clouds in blue skies
• 14.2 Miles / 33.2 Total Miles

Leaving Temple #12, monk’s chanting filled the forest. I kept looking for loud speakers but found none.

1. Temple #12
2. Temple #12
3. Forest

• Saturday, March 16, 2019, Day 3
• Temples #11 and #12
• Mima, Japan
• Weather: 35-45 degrees, strong winds with white clouds in blue skies
• 14.2 Miles / 33.2 Total Miles

Dozens of religious statuary formed at line marketing the entrance to the Temple #12’s Gate. Most were double life size building anticipation and awe.

1. Buddhist Shrines
2. Temple Gate
3. Buddhist Shrines

• Saturday, March 16, 2019, Day 3
• Temples #11 and #12
• Mima, Japan
• Weather: 35-45 degrees, strong winds with white clouds in blue skies
• 14.2 Miles / 33.2 Total Miles

Seven mountains in the pilgrimage exceed 2,600 feet (5,280 feet in a mile). Today was the first major in less than 4 1/2 miles. The air was filled with chirping birds, rapping bamboo, and tricking streams. Trees seem to be six stories high and as straight as pencils. Century old Buddhist shines were tucked everywhere in the forrest.

1. Buddhist Shrines
2. Buddhist Shrines
3. Buddhist Shrines

• Saturday, March 16, 2019, Day 3
• Temples #11 and #12
• Mima, Japan
• Weather: 35-45 degrees, strong winds with white clouds in blue skies
• 14.2 Miles / 33.2 Total Miles

Can you find the vending machines at Temple #11? Complementary beverage if you can correctly count the number of photographed venting machines.

1. Vending Machine
2. Vending Machine
3. Vending Machine