Day 14, August 16
Unfortunately today was off to a bad start I woke up early, planning to get to #70, Yamamotoji before it opened at 7:00. Before loading my bags on my bike I did the usual inspection, only to find that one of the spokes on my rear wheel was broken. Looks like I would spend the morning looking for a bike shop and fixing my bike. The clerk at the business hotel I stayed at was extremely helpful and he said he would call around until he found a shop that opened early and stocked bike parts. He did find one, and I had the bike fixed and was on the road by 11:00am, earlier than expected given the circumstances. Seems like my bicycle is starting to feel its age, and I can only hope it makes it the rest of the way.
Flowers in bloom at Yamamotoji |
The temples this day were remarkably picturesque, and some were outfitted with shops selling pilgrimage goods.
Pink is the in-fashion color for this year's henro. This charming outfit will ensure you complete your pilgrimage in style! |
My favorite had to be Iyadaniji, a temple built into a hillside that one had to climb 500+ steps to get to the main building. At the top, they had a room open to the public showing what was allegedly Kobo Daishi's study when he was young.
Steps up to Iyadaniji |
Still more stairs...not there yet |
Study where Kobo Daishi allegedly practiced from age 7 to 13 in the late 8th century |
That evening I stayed at a small Ryokan before temple #80. To my surprise Inoue-san, the other guy I ran into doing the temples by bicycle, showed up later that evening. He was a couple temples ahead of me, and planned on finishing the next day before returning to the Tokyo area.
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