Walking from the coast to the nearby mountains to get to Bekkaku Temple 10Bridge to the path to the stairs to KoryujiPath up to Bekkaku Temple 10Hondo – Koryuji (Bekkaku Temple 10)Bell Tower – KoryujiOn the Daishido – KoryujiKoryujiAfter an older couple left, there were no other visitors on the temple grounds other than Connor and I. The lady working at the stamp office saw me limping around, so she gave me a foot massage! She also gave Connor a hand massage while I was attending to my temple duties.KoryujiIkiki Jizo/Ikikizan Shozenji (Bekkaku Temple 11 – “Living Tree Jizo”/“Living Tree Mountain Temple of True Goodness”)Money placed in the crevasses of the treeIkiki JizoThe temple grounds are located behind a used car sales lot.Approaching the mountains that hold Temple 60.
Connor and I decided to the save Temple 60 until tomorrow. It had rained early this morning and we were concerned about the condition of the mountain paths as we wouldn’t be descending them until late in the day.
Last week two foreign pilgrims got lost on the way down as it was getting dark and one took a very nasty fall breaking five ribs. The innkeeper where they were expected grew concerned when they didn’t show up and local authorities were contacted. The missing pilgrims were discovered by a search party later that evening and the injured party will be in the hospital for at least a week.
Even though it’s expected to rain tomorrow, Connor and I decided we will power through and get this nansho (“difficult journey”) temple completed. However, we’ve decided to stay at the same inn as tonight and leave our big packs behind for the day. This will be the only temple we attempt tomorrow, so we’ll have all day with no need to rush.
We had initially intended to attempt to climb Mt. Ishizuchi, the largest mountain on Shikoku, but there’s a high chance of rain tomorrow. Walking through the rain on the mountain trails isn’t great, but climbing the largest, most exposed area around during a rain storm is worse. The funny thing is, this almost puts us back on the original walking itinerary which we departed back around Day 22.
The back way to Temple 61Koonji (Temple 61 – “Incense Garden Temple”) Rebuilt in the 1970’s, this is the most “modern”-looking of all the main 88 temples. Koonji – Both the Hondo and the Daishido “temples” are contained within the great hall. The Hondo contains the large central Buddha and the Daishido is the smaller temple to the right. Dainichi Nyorai – The honzon (“main image”) Buddha for Koonji.DaishidoKoonjiKoonjiKoonjiPagoda – KoonjiKoonjiKoonjiKoonjiHojuji (Temple 62 – “Temple of Wealth and Happiness”) Another very small temple complex surrounded by city with a train track not far behind it.Hondo – HojujiPurification Fountain – HojujiHojujiHojujiHojuji
2023 Shikoku Henro 
Wise choice
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