Saijo City to Goyomatsuso, 20 km Threatening clouds as we left Saijo. On the hill in the background is the Archeological museum A temple free recovery day - although some may not consider walking 20 kilometres with a backpack much of a way to recover from over-exertion! The path was less than inspiring with much … Continue reading Shikoku day 41
Tag: 88 Temples
Shikoku day 40
Komatsu to Saijo City, 31.6 km View of Mount Ishizuchi One of the toughest days of the walk so far, but eased somewhat by our host of last night, Taniguchi-san, shuttling our back packs to our next hotel. This was even more critical as that next hotel was off-route, adding extra kilometres to an already … Continue reading Shikoku day 40
Shikoku day 39
Imbari City to Konatsu, 25.1 km It was a longer day than the guide's version, but our overnight accommodation was a couple of kilometres off the route. On the plus side, we got to make our own, western style breakfast. No rice, fish, mystery pickled things or fermented mung beans in sight. Delicious! We meandered … Continue reading Shikoku day 39
Shikoku day 38
Imbari City to Imbari City, 11.5 km Kukai at Temple 58. Hard to avoid having power lines in photos here in Japan. Almost a rest day, but we did the long day yesterday so they average out into two normal days if we'd been able to secure accommodation in the optimal locations. Tonight we are … Continue reading Shikoku day 38
Shikoku day 37
Matsuyama to Imbari City, 40.5 km That difficult 'L', but also sums up our accommodation challenges! For three consecutive nights we've been forced to adjust our plans as the usual pilgrim accommodations are unavailable - full in the big cities, and unavailable due to the festival in the smaller towns. Today is the second of … Continue reading Shikoku day 37
Shikoku day 36
Matsuyama to just outside of Matsuyama! 18.3 km Very picturesque Shinto temple, but our legs revolted at the sight of those steps, so this is as close as we got! A shorter day due to challenges finding accommodation in the next section. The listed places are invariably closed as there is a festival on this … Continue reading Shikoku day 36
Shikoku day 35
Kumakogen to Matsuyama, 30 km Scenic shot taken leaving Kumakogen as the fog was clearing It was a brisk, foggy morning leaving Kumakogen, but the sun burned through before I'd gone too far. With the help of the wonderful lady working at the Garden Hotel, the boys had a bus to catch so that Sam's … Continue reading Shikoku day 35
Shikoku day 34
Day trip to Temples 44 and 45, 23.8km Trail side shrine A beautiful but rather tough day due to elevation gains (980m up, and 980m back down!), but probably on the nicest trails yet, and in my mind, the most impressive temple. After breakfast sitting on the bench outside Familymart, it was paved roads to … Continue reading Shikoku day 34
Shikoku day 33
Oda to Kumakogen, 19.3 km Being pointed in the right direction A short day in terms of kilometres, but a hill got the heart rate going. The first section was a narrower, quite steep section of road, but with minimal traffic. We then took to the forest path that cut across the road switchbacks, where … Continue reading Shikoku day 33
Shikoku day 32
Ozu to Oda, 31.4 km Our only view of Ozu castle as we departed in the pouring rain It was a long slog out of Ozu this morning in the rain. The city seems to extend forever up the valley (not dissimilar to Seiyo yesterday). As we'd stayed in the historic old town, this morning … Continue reading Shikoku day 32
