Return to Ryozenji (Temple 1)
The original plan was to walk from T88 back to Temple 10, then take transit back to Temple 1. There are various schools of thought as to when the pilgrimage ends: some say it is the last temple, some that you need to return to the Temple you started from, and others that you should go to Mount Koya, headquarters of the Shingon sect if Buddhism, which Kobai Daishi founded. However our original plan was thwarted by a lack of public transportation options from T10 to T1. Instead we walked to Yodaji, considered by some to be the inner sanctuary of Temple 88, and even a Temple 89.
It was, for the most part, a beautiful walk along forest paths and seldom used paved roads through the forest. Only the last couple of kilometres from the temple to the train station spoiled the day!
We returned to Temple 1 – one of the very few where the main temple is actually open for viewing. Then, having successfully completed our interpretation of the requirements, we took trains into the city and headed for a well earned soak at an onsen!
To recognize our successful completion of the Pilgrimage, here are the before and after photos taken at Tokushima train station:
Well done Parr men!
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