Shikoku 88 Temples Route HENRO.
TEMPLES I to XXII.
Wednesday 06/05/2015 to Monday 11/05/2015.
A pilgrimage trail to 88 temples in Shikoku, Japan (I made it for the first 22 temples).
This circular pilgrimage route is the most famous pilgrimage in Japan. It was established by disciples of the Buddhist monk Kukai, he trained at several sacred places in Shikoku.
Many believe this route follows his footsteps.
This is a journey for the Japanese to find their true self, as with the Caminos de Compostella for Europeans.
CLICK HERE for the 88 Temples Pilgrimage of 2017, Temples XXIII to LXXXVIII
Typical Henro outfit.
Henro signposts.
The weather forecast for this week
(retrospective, the 9th was a rainy day and the 12th was indeed a thunderstorm day).
(retrospective, the 9th was a rainy day and the 12th was indeed a thunderstorm day).
Day 16 - Wednesday 06/05/2015 - Henro day 1 - Temple I to Temple VII.
Minimalist hotel breakfast.
Leaving the train. In the footsteps of another henro
(I'll cross that person the next days too).
(I'll cross that person the next days too).
Temple I - Ryözen-ji.
The first temple contains a shop, selling the typical 'Pilgrim' outfit
(as a matter of fact, only the car/taxi/bus pilgrims buy that stuff).
The very few pilgrims making the pilgrimage by foot buy just a book to collect
the credentials, beautiful caligraphies obtaind from the temple monks.
Leaving Temple 1 for Temple 2.
Temple II - Gokuraku-ji.
A selfie in front of the Gokuraku-ji temple.
Why this cup collection?
Temple III - Konsen-ji.
In front of Konsen-Ji temple.
Konsen-Ji temple.
Temple IV - Dainichi-ji.
Along the pilgrimage trail, people offer drinks, fruit, sometimes even money to the pilgrims.
Reached Dainichi-ji temple.
Dainichi-ji temple.
Lunch picnic, notice the green waffle trial
(the covenience store also sold camembert waffles...).
A resting place for pilgrims, maintained by villagers.
Temple VII - Juraku-ji.
(the covenience store also sold camembert waffles...).
Temple VI - Anraku-ji.
Temple VII - Juraku-ji.
My minimalist hotel room for tonight.
|---| Henro lodging Okuda-ya, Awa City, 4000¥.
Day 17 - Thursday 07/05/2015 - Henro day 2 - Temple VII to Temple XI.
Temple VIII - Kumadani-ji.
Temple IX - Hörin-ji.
Temple X - Kirihata-ji.
Temple XI - Fujii-dera.
|---| Henro lodging, Ryokan Yoshino, Yoshinogawa City, 6500¥/night including dinner and breakfast.
Day 18 - Friday 08/05/2015 - Henro day 3 - Temple XII.
Temple XII - Shözan-ji.
Breakfast (indeed quite similar to the dinner).
Received an orange as 'Osettutai' (pilgrims gift) from this kind old lady.
Dinner (with a welcome beer).
|---| Henro lodging, Ryokan Uemura, Kamiyama Town, 7000¥/night, half board.
Day 19 - Saturday 09/05/2015 - Henro day 4 - Temple XIII to Temple XVII.
Breakfast.
Leaving the Ryokan at 7:00, together with the two other Henros, in the rain.
Bakery, Happy to find something sweet, a strawberry pie.
Temple XIII - Dainichi-ji.
|---| Hotel Avanti, Tokushima, 3900¥/night including breakfast.
Day 20 - Sunday 10/05/2015 - Henro day 5 - Temple XVIII to Temple IXX.
A more conventional picnic, built from visiting a French bakery,
assembled with an Italian wine, and some Spanish jamon.
Temple XVIII - Onzan-ji.
The path goes through a bamboo grove.
A rest hut along the path, a public night shelter for pilgrims.
The water from the dragon mouth slowly ereases the prayers from the wooden substrates.
|---| Hotel Avanti, Tokushima, 3900¥/night including breakfast.
Day 21 - Monday 11/05/2015 - Henro day 6 - Temple XX to Temple XXII.
Temple XX - Kakurin-ji.
*** PICTURES TO BE INSERTED ***
Temple XXI - Tairyö-ji.
The trail from Temple XXI to Temple XXII.
The trail from Temple XXI to Temple XXII.
The trail fromTemple XXI to Temple XXII.
A luxurous hut to shelter for the night.
The trail from Temple XXI to Temple XXII.
A more basic place to spend the night.
The trail from Temple XXI to Temple XXII, through the rice fields.
Temple XXII- Byodo-ji.
Different from Temples XX and XXI, located on hilltops,
Temple XXII is located in an urbanized valley.
The milky water of this well prooves to be effective in curing all sort of sickness,
and can be purchased from the monks.
Suddenly feeling nostalgic, when taking this last pelgrimage picture.
Like a voice telling me I must return to this place to complete it for all 88 temples.
After a last 30 minutes hike + 50 minutes awaiting,
the return train to Tokushima arrives in the little station of Aratano.
End of my Henro experience. 22 temples, 150km in 6 days.
Still a lot remaining for a next Henro visit.
the return train to Tokushima arrives in the little station of Aratano.
Still a lot remaining for a next Henro visit.
|---| Hotel Avanti, Tokushima, 3900¥/night including breakfast.
CLICK HERE to continue the pilgrimage (October & November 2017, Temples XXIII to LXXXVIII)
CLICK HERE to continue the pilgrimage (October & November 2017, Temples XXIII to LXXXVIII)
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