Kanonji to Motoyama, 15.5km
A short day due to previous days being distinctly unshort. The walk from our lodging to the first temple was partly that unique Japanese blend of farmland and houses, but also more recent development. This included a brand new McDonald’s where we enjoyed a leisurely second breakfast. As tonight’s accommodation is not available for check in until 4 pm we had time to spare. Not long after as we strolled along the canal stop bank, a lady stopped her truck and gave us settai – a container of freshly harvested peanuts. They have a very distinct texture and flavour. Probably if you had them in a blind test you’d never identify them as peanuts!
Jennein Temple (68) and Kannon Temple (69) share the same grounds. The history of this seems a bit convoluted but at some point after the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism in 1868, 68 ran out of money so the main Temple was moved and became incorporated into 69. We were there at the same time as a bus tour so it’s a good thing there were plenty of temples to go around! We backtracked towards Temple 70, detouring back through the commercial area to seek out some udon noodles. These are considered the culinary specialty of Kagawa prefecture (with fish the speciality in Kochi – not surprisingly – and tangerines/mandarins in Ehime).
Temple 70, Motoyamaji, has a main hall designed as a National Treasure, and has never been destroyed in any war or natural disaster. Legend has it (two legends I guess) that it is protected by a swarm of bees and/or a statue of Amida.
