29/07/2024 / Last updated : 29/07/2024 d.d Temple / Shrine

Henro Trail Ryozenji temple　霊山寺

April 3rd. 2024 The rain in the night at michi no eki Itano was of little consequence, stopping and starting in an opportune manner but the day ahead is a wet prospect. We set off to a coin laundry so as not to waste a fine day. Ryozenji temple After the laundry, we go to see temple number 1 of the Henro trail, Ryozenji. This temple is of some interest. It has a solid wooden gate not large but elegant and immediately inside a pond across which is a view of a hall topped with gold ornamentation. The pagoda is of particular interest having a rounded mid-section. I am sure […]

29/07/2024 / Last updated : 29/07/2024 d.d Temple / Shrine

Negoroji (Henro 82) and Ritsurin Koen　根香寺、栗林公園

April 2nd. 2024 A second night at Takarada no Sato is uneventful but we linger and explore the shop when it opens. It has an impressive selection of local veg. The asparagus and shiitake being particularly tempting but useless to us. The bonsai were interesting, and we did buy bread from the bakery for tonight’s dinner. It has the seal of approval. Negoroji temple From the michi no eki we went to Negoroji Temple, Henro number 82. This was a well-maintained place with interesting and unusual features. Notably, a kind of rectangular corridor housing thousands of small figures dimly lit by ornate lanterns. I have never seen anything similar. There […]

22/07/2024 / Last updated : 22/07/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Iya-kei, the remote gorge beyond Kazura bashi, to Unpeiji temple　祖谷渓から雲辺寺

March 31st. 2024 Early on Sunday morning michi no eki Konoka becomes decidedly less quiet. Numerous people arrive to use the facilities, hikers, bikers, and families. The Radio Taiso (calisthenics) was also something of a shock. A good place that has, nevertheless, withstood the test of a second visit. Nikobuchi　にこ淵 As usual, we are the last of the overnighters to leave as we set off for Nikobuchi. This is a waterfall and blue pool. It has become more well known of late, but the parking is still haphazard at the top of the usual narrow, winding road. There is now a set of prefabricated steps to take you down to […]

17/07/2024 / Last updated : 14/08/2024 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Matsuyama Castle, an original castle tower. 松山城

March 30th. 2024 Michi no eki Nakayama is very busy from early morning. I can only ascribe this to the excellent facilities. The day is warm and hazy as we set off for Matsuyama Castle by way of Unozaki Toge (Pass) and Tobe town(PR53). The pass provides an interesting, narrow, winding drive with typical Shikoku steep mountainsides and narrow valleys. We were hoping for spectacular views from the top of the pass but were hemmed in by trees. Nevertheless, a good route to choose. Dropping down into Tobe town we were expecting a village, but it is quite a substantial place warranting a dual carriageway. The central meridian decorated with […]

16/07/2024 / Last updated : 16/07/2024 d.d Temple / Shrine

Fukoji temple Magaibutsu (Buddha)　普光寺磨崖仏

March 28, 2024 The morning in Michi no eki Harajiri no taki is grey and overcast. Only the swallows are energetic, swooping and weaving in and out of the overhanging roofs and skimming the car park, oblivious to the various devices set to deter them. We take another gentle tiptoe though the tulips and down to the Harajiri waterfall. Here are Oriental Greenfinches, wagtails, and dippers. Fukoji Temple The intermittent drizzle becomes more insistent, and we leave for Fukoji temple to view a large Buddha carved into the rock face. This takes us on an interesting drive mostly along narrow, winding roads strewn with dead sugi foliage. Arriving at Fukoji […]

18/07/2023 / Last updated : 18/07/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Uji Byodo-in, Ten yen temple　　宇治平等院

April 19th. 2023 Michi no eki Resty Karako-Kagi Thunder in the night at Resty Karako-Kagi, but the actual downpour only lasted a few minutes. Resty, as I have said before is an excellent michi no eki for an overnight stay. Consequently, it is becoming known and popular. I think it would be very crowded – too crowded – on a three-day weekend for example. On a damp Wednesday night, there are perhaps 30 to 40 overnight vehicles, and the capacity is 75 cars. Uji Byodo-in, Ten Yen Temple Thunder in the night gives rise to a damp, foggy morning and the humid conditions persist all day. We set off to […]

15/07/2023 / Last updated : 15/07/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Nara/ Kyoto border Kasagidera and Dragon Shrines　笠置寺、龍穴神社

April18th. 2023 Kasagidera Temple From the michi no eki Minami Yamashina we drive to Kasagidera. A large temple not on the usual tourist itinerary, outside autumn leaves season anyway. The access to Kasagidera is up a somewhat daunting lane that ends in a car park for perhaps 20 cars. No one is collecting parking fees earlyish on a Tuesday morning in Spring. From the car park, there is a walk of perhaps 200 metres, past an unlikely ryokan to the first temple building. Here a gentleman accepts 300-yen temple entrance fee and another 300 for D.’s Goshuin. We are then free to wander the mountaintop circuit (about 800m) of temple […]

06/07/2023 / Last updated : 06/07/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Daizenji – Grape Temple and Shosen-kyo　大善寺、昇仙峡

April 14th. 2023 Michi no eki Otaki onsen We spent the night at michi no eki Otaki onsen. It was a Thursday night so the onsen was closed as was the restaurant. There is a F. Mart open until 10 pm but that is on another level up there with the road. The michi no eki car park etc. are below, deeper in the gorge. The first impression of the place is grim concrete, especially as a section of the parking is under the parking for the convenience store above. The michi no eki is connected to the F. Mart by a rusting spiral staircase. The facilities are also under […]