Henro Day 19

Today I had a choice of whether to take the road or a mountain path and chose the latter.

In addition there were 2 routes, of which I chose the “Soemimizu henro path”.

Paths!

The tea & biscuits I received as a ‘settai’ from an elderly lady in Nakatosa town, before the mountain path.

I was very grateful of the gift… but it did mean I had to carry a bag of rubbish with me for the next couple of hours ^^;;

The middle picture is after climbing to 300~400 meters high, looking back over Nakatosa Town.

Onto Route 56! (the road) After walking a little there was a henro rest hut, so I took a short break.

Shimanto Town (the part which used to be Kubotsukawa Town) – where the temple and my inn are.

Shimanto Town, 37th temple – Iwamotoji

My room in Guesthouse Awa

There wasn’t a shower in the bathroom, so I didn’t know quite what to do. I asked the landlady, still naked, through the door and apparently you take water from the tub to rinse with. That was a first for me since arriving in Japan.

Henro Day 18

MM-san took me to the road before #36 at 7am.
We visited the temple together and said our farewells. I started walking again while thinking about how I’d miss him.

There’s about 58KM till the next temple, so I went to an inn part way there.

Tosa City, 36th temple – Shouryuuji. The person beyond the main gate is MM-san.

After leaving Shouryuuji, a mountainous path ascends before me! The view from above.

After leaving the mountain path, I walked a long car road. The left photo is of a landslide – scary.

The roadside station in Susaki City, where I took a break.

Susaki City, Guesthouse Awa. I forgot to take a picture of the room ^^;;

The landlady was very cheerful and the food was delicious.

Henro Day 17

I planned to visit 3 temples today, but I reached the last one (36) after 5pm and the road was closed for road-works or something.

The road to #34

Kouchi City, 34th temple - Tanemaji

A field of cosmos flowers I saw and the path to #35

Kouchi City, 35th temple – Kiyodakiji (main gate & the dragon on the ceiling of said gate)

#35’s Daishi building & main building.

To get to #36, one must cross Usa town’s Usa bridge.

I crossed the bridge and got as far as the road before the temple, but had to end the day there.

Henro Day 16

I walked alone, but MM-san picked me up after I finished and took me to Katsurahama beach.

Katsurahama is where Ryouma looked out on the sea and dreamed of sailing the world on his own boat.

The path before #31

Kouchi City, 31st temple - Chikurinji

The river under Chikurinji from above & up close

The path before #32

Kouchi City, 32nd temple – Zenjibuji

The view from the temple

The free ferry I used to cross Urado bay

Kouchi City, 33rd temple – Sekkeiji

Katsurahama & the bronze statue of Ryouma there

A Shinto Shrine which was at the beach