Driving – April 4, 2019

  • Thursday, April 4, 2019, Day 22
  • Temples: #44 and #45
  • Kuma-kōgen, Japan
  • Weather: 35-55 Blue skies COLD MORNING
  • Miles 17.1 (walk, train and bus)/ Total Miles 400.1

Leave the driving to us. Today I road through one of the countless Shikoku tunnels on a municipal bus. Much better than walking through the tunnels. Like many service positions, bus drivers wear immaculate white gloves.

  1. Approaching tunnel. Notice all the mountains in the background. Hence the need for tunnels.
  2. In Tunnel. Imagine me walking to the left of the solid white line.
  3. Bus Driver

First – April 3, 2019

  • April 3, 2019, Day 21
  • Temples: #41, #42, and #43
  • Uchiko, Japan
  • Weather: 45-55 Blue skies with white clouds
  • Miles 27.7 (walk & train) / Total Miles 383

I met my first Japanese woman walking Shikoku 88 Temples. Plus, she walks alone. Other Japanese women seen have come by car or tour bus. I had one burning question. How did her parents feel about her walking Shikoku’s 88 temples? They were extremely apprehensive. Every night she emails her parents to let them she’s doing well.

  1. Cherry Blossom Temple #43
  2. Gate Temple #43
  3. Solo Japanese Walking Woman

Great Mystery – April 3, 2019

    April 3, 2019, Day 21
    Temples: #41, #42, and #43
    Uchiko, Japan
    Weather: 45-55 Blue skies with white clouds
    Miles 27.7 (walk a & train) / Total Miles 383

At one temple a notice was posted for foreigners. Yes, it is strange for me to see myself as a foreigner. It redirected o-henros. Finally the mystery is revealed. Massive land slide. The question remands what caused this extensive damage all throughout this mountain.

P.S.

Thanks to Saburo T., the mystery is solved. The cause of the massive land slide is thought to be the damage done by heavy rains last summer, 2018. Ehime Prefecture (my current location), Hiroshima Prefecture, etc. were severely damaged.

  1. To Temple #43
  2. To Temple #43
  3. To Temple #43

Going Up – April 3, 2019

  • April 3, 2019, Day 21
  • Temples: #41, #42, and #43
  • Uchiko, Japan
  • Weather: 45-55 Blue skies with white clouds
  • Miles 27.7 (walk a & train) / Total Miles 383

It seems as though climbing a mountain and steps are always involved in visiting a temple. It’s always worth the effort.

Many older people visit the temple on bus tours. The buses may take them to the temple but they still must independently climb very uneven rocky steps. Their tour usually comes with a monk to lead them in prayer. The guides are responsible for getting all the guest’s stamp books, scrolls, or shirts stamped. Guides are seen double checking to make sure each item is stamped. There is no margin for error.

  1. Temple #41
  2. Temple #41 Inside Temple #41
  3. Temple #41

Street Art – April 2, 2019

  • Tuesday, April 2, 2019, Day 20
  • Temples: None
  • Uwajima City, Japan
  • Weather: 45-55 Overcast becoming blue skies with white clouds
  • Miles 14.6 / Total Miles 355.3

Street art…

    Sidewalk Mosaic – Fames Japanese Pearl
    Utility Plate – Dragon!
    Bull Statue – Since 1800’s bull fights (bull against bull) has occurred in Uwajima. There is a huge city bull fighting arena.

Uwajima Castle – April 2, 2019

  • Tuesday, April 2, 2019, Day 20
  • Temples: None
  • Uwajima City, Japan
  • Weather: 45-55 Overcast becoming blue skies with white clouds
  • Miles 14.6 / Total Miles 355.3

Uwajima Castle was built 400-years ago and is one of the few castles in Japan which remains standings in its original form.

  1. Uwajima Castle
  2. Period soldier’s clothes
  3. Uwajima Castle with Linda