Ehime Prefecture Report

 

The industrial center of Shikoku

I just walked nearly 70 km in two days!

And boy, are my organs tired!

I`m finally getting the hang of this routine. Which is funny, because this thing is almost done now. Too little too late. Wait wrong saying. . .Better late then never. This is how things went down in Ehime, I think.

May 27- Returned from visiting Auntie Emiko in Kyushu. Got back on Shikoku Island at 7 in the morning, bright and early and ready to get back on the hobby horse. Knocked out #39 in the morning, trekked all day, and made it to #40 in the afternoon. Stayed in Ainan town.

May 28- Got to Uwajima, which has a castle I didnt go to. Went to temple 41, and almost ran out of time before 42 closed, so I managed to hitchhike with some other pilgrims! Fun times. Stayed at ryokan near #42.

May 29- Checked out #43 in the morning, which was lovely. Then started the long trek to temple 44 which was way out in the woods.

May 30- Made it to Ozu, which is the town that refused to house Kobo Daishi, so he had to sleep under a bridge! These guys are the reason why you're not allowed to tap your staff when crossing a bridge, don't wanna wake up old Kobo Daishi. Thanks a lot Ozu. Stayed at some random business hotel.

May 31- Walked along a bunch of Japanese state routes and made it to temple 44 in the afternoon. Stayed at funny little guesthouse that apparently was featured on TV at some point.

June 1- Left bags at guesthouse and made way to temple 45. This was a highlight temple. It was nestled into the cracks in this gigantic cliff, and in back of the temple was a forest filled with statues of Fudo Myoo, the righteous and furious Buddhist spirit who scares away evil with his wrathful gaze and sharp sword. Mountain trail to 45 was one of the highlights of the entire pilgrimage. And my iphone conveniently started to bug out! So use your imagination. Also got a head start on the Matsuyama temples, namely 46, 47, and 48.

June 2- Did some more work in Matsuyama. Started day with 49 and 50, then went to temple 51, Ishiteji temple. This is a popular one with a traditional shopping arcade before the temple. Also saw Dogo Onsen, Japans oldest hot spring, and the old school mini locomotive they use to ferry around tourists. Went to 52 and 53 that afternoon.

June 3- Made way around the Matsuyama coast. Beautiful little islands as far as you could see. Made it to next town with next batch of temples by nightfall.

June 4- Knocked out 54 through 59! Was on a roll that day. Made my way further south to the next couple, and stayed at Komatsu ryokan that night.

June 5- Took care of Temple 60, a mountain temple, by waking up at 4 in the morning. Doubled back and eliminated 61 through 64, then made way along the coast. Lots of factories, ports, and industrial activity.

June 6- Made it to Iyo Mishima town after walking all day. Next two were mountain temples, AGAIN, so posted up in town and decided to lick my wounds and get ready for next challenges.

June 7- Knocked out 65 in the morning, then went hard and got to 66, Unpenji around early afternoon. There were 500 statues of the Buddhas disciples, each one was different. A couple were drunk I think! Made way down the mountain and stayed at Aozora guest house.

I think that's it. Sorry for not having more highlights, but unless a temple is really different or spectacular they all tend to look the same. More stuff coming up!