Friday, October 28, 2016 – Temple 66 (Unpenji) & Temple 67 (Daikoji)

I always enjoy my stay at minshuku Okada. The owner is so friendly and took me into the dining area to show me the plaque I sent him after my first visit. He loves to host ohenros and at the supper meal gives an explanation with pictures on the right path to Temple 66.

I asked how old he was at supper and he said he was 88. I thought “wow”, he was doing great for 88. He reminded me of my dad, with his gentle and friendly disposition.

 You can tell he truly loved his job of running the minshuku. He always greets you with a smile and at supper and breakfast he serves you rice from the end of the table wearing his apron.

His walls are covered with pictures ohenros sent him. He has a scrapbook of all the name slips people give him. He was able to find the two I gave him from my previous stays.

Here is a picture we took with him after breakfast and of him serving rice.

Since rain was in the forecast we headed out right after breakfast around 6:45 am. The owner and his daughter came out to the road to give us a send off.

It was a hard climb to Temple 66, which is 900 meters high (the highest Temple of the pilgrimage). Along the way there were small statues to mark the trail.

We made it to top in two hours.The rain held off til after we arrived. Here are some photos.

On the pathway down the mountain there were many statues with funny faces and stances. Here is the one Bob picked for himself.

Here are a couple I liked.

They used to line the ohenro pathway down the mountain, however, they have all been moved and grouped closer to the start of the path.

On the way down it rained pretty steady, which made it slippery with the wet leaves. So we had to walk carefully, step by step.

Didn’t get to take many photos because of the rain. I was able to take one of a bush I found interesting with a red type berry on it.

Here are some photos of Temple 67, which has a huge camphor tree believed to be planted by Kobo Daishi.

Hopefully, the weather will be better tomorrow. The plan is to visit the next four temples.