Linda Scandore

• Saturday, April 13, 2019, Day 31
• Temples: #79, #81, #82, and #80
• Takamatsu City, Japan
• Weather: 45-55 degrees blue skies becoming overcast
• Miles 14.3 miles (walk & train) / Total Miles 609.4

Temple #80. Too weary for words.

1. Temple #89’s Gate with pine tree approach reminding me of Virginia
2. Flower
3. Temple #80 Statue

• Saturday, April 13, 2019, Day 31
• Temples: #79, #81, #82, and #80
• Takamatsu City, Japan
• Weather: 45-55 degrees blue skies becoming overcast
• Miles 14.3 miles (walk & train) / Total Miles 609.4

Because of blooming Cherry Trees, I chose to visit Japan in March and April.

1. Stunning forest path between Temples #81 and #82
2. Temple #82’s statues. This pattern fills four hallways.
3. Cherry Trees at Temple #82

• Saturday, April 13, 2019, Day 31
• Temples: #79, #81, #82, and #80
• Takamatsu City, Japan
• Weather: 45-55 degrees blue skies becoming overcast
• Miles 14.3 miles (walk & train) / Total Miles 609.4

Seen from this perspective, accomplishing a visit to 88 Temples thus circling the island seems daunting. Today’s walk is off Google’s GPS and Map.me. I’m relying on my guide book maps and sparsely posted directional decals.

Who to ask when help is needed? Choose a high school student as it is likely he will be studying English. Pick someone wearing a track club jacket (albeit written in Japanese) so you will have a common topic for conversation. He likes the 100-meter distance best. This kind fellow pushed his bike 10-minutes to make sure I was where I wanted to be.

1. View of Takamatsu City, Pacific Ocean, and bridges from the main land to Shikoku
2. Track Star, a Good Samaritan
3. Track Star’s Running Jacket.

• Friday, April 12, 2019, Day 30
• Temples: #71, #72, #73, #74, #75, #76, #77, #78, and #79
• Muroto City, Japan
• Weather: 45-55 degrees blue skies with white clouds
• Miles 27.3 miles (3 trains) / Total Miles 595.1

I am so close to Temple #79, the last temple in this marathon day. My guide book map and Map.me indicate I am within a couple of blocks to its location. The streets are so twisted I can’t seem to get there. Minutes tic by knowing the stamp office closes at 5:00pm. One car stops to help using their car navigation system. They are as confused as I am. The driver gets out of his car and hails another driver to explain the dilemma. No problem as the second driver is a local. I pop in his car and in minutes am at Temple #79’s Gate…it’s 4:55 pm. I got my stamp and ink drawing thanks to the generous collaborative help of these people.

1. Temple #79 Main Temple
2. Tonight’s Hosts
3. Chilling out watching figure skating in preparation for Tokyo Olympics. The television seems to be on during most of my meals.

• Friday, April 12, 2019, Day 30
• Temples: #71, #72, #73, #74, #75, #76, #77, #78, and #79
• Muroto City, Japan
• Weather: 45-55 degrees blue skies with white clouds
• Miles 27.3 miles (3 trains) / Total Miles 595.1

There is always something unique at each temple. I wish I knew the story behind these images

1. Temple #77 Golden Figure
2. Temple #78 Parade
3. Temple #78 Contemporary o-henro with stamp book bag and prayer beads