Walking to Temple 70Hondo – Motoyamaji (Temple 70 – “Headquarters Temple”)Daishido – Motoyamaji5-story pagoda – MotoyamajiMotoyamajiMotoyamajiSanmon – Motoyamami. We just thought this blue was an unusual color to be associated with a temple.Continuing to Temple 71Just seeing this type of construction with the bolts (or whatever they are) pointed out from the building just sets my OSHA alarms buzzing. You see this a lot with warehouses, machine shops, or house extensions that seem to have been hastily put up. I have a feeling this wouldn’t fly in the States. Lunch at Kukai (喰回 – “Eat Times”???). You don’t see the pile of udon noodles under the huge tempura conglomerate atop the bowl. Two women approached as we were about to start eating and asked if we were walking pilgrims. They then paid for our lunch as ossettai. Thank you!! Nio – Temple 71Stairs up to Temple 71Climbing to Temple 71Continuing the climb to Temple 71Looking back down from the climbHondo – Iyadanaji (Temple 71 – “Eight Valley Temple”) . The temple used to be called Yakunidera (“Eight Counties Temple”) as it sits on a hill that used to overlook eight provinces. Many miraculous cures have reportedly occurred at this temple.Daishido – Iyadanaji. The Daishido is actually inside the building, but I couldn’t get a picture of it.Cliff wall carvings – IyadanajiCliff wall carving – IyadanajiTwo-story pagoda – IyadanajiBell Tower – IyadanajiKukai – IyadanajiIyadanajiI had asked the gentleman at the stamp office about the path over the mountain leading to Bekkaku Temple 18. He said “dame” (no good) and indicated we should go around the long way. Connor and I had already walked on some pretty miserable paths, so taking 3 hours to get to our next temple as opposed to 1 hour if we crossed the mountain didn’t appeal to either of us.
The path leading to the top of mountain was a bit messy, but, in the end, had me declare, “Dame, my butt!” But then we hit the path descending the other side. It became dame-ier and dame-ier. Just sections of the path cut away by draining rainwater, heavy pre-set concrete stairs washed down at odd angles. It wasn’t as bad as the Horikiri Pass we walked on a few days ago, but it may be a respectable second worst path. In Connor’s comparison to the Horikiri Pass, “Here you only break your ankle softly.”
We got of the mountain with a respectable amount of time to get to Bekkaku Temple 18 and still catch a train back to our hotel. Suddenly we saw Vincent (from Taiwan) coming to us. He was hurrying to try to get to Temple 71 before the stamp office closed. We assured him we thought he could make, but he had to get a move on and to beware of the upcoming climb. His face fell with the prospect of a difficult climb, but he moved on. (He made to the stamp office at 4:57 p.m. – 3 minutes before closing.) If we see Vincent again tomorrow, we agreed we would all walk together for the day.
Connor and I easily made it to Bekkaku Temple 18 and were able to visit the Hondo, but discovered the Daishido was located 100 meters away. We estimated we might miss our train if we visited the Daishido today, but vowed we would visit it tomorrow before continuing on to Temple 72. We know we will because we both want to get pictures of it.
Sanmon – Bekkaku Temple 18The Nio for Bekkaku Temple 18 were very unusual.The right NioHondo – Kaiganji (Bekkaku Temple 18 – “Beach Temple”). It should be no surprise that this temple is situated right next to the inland sea.The Daishido at a distance. We will get a proper viewing tomorrow morning.Bell TowerA different type of Henro Trail markerDinner at Fujikawa
2023 Shikoku Henro 
We’re really in the temple home stretch now, aren’t we? Onward! You’re doing great 😊
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Seriously! After today, 13 main temples and 2 more bekkaku temples. We’ll be done in little over a week.
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