Today I am hot, and I mean scorching hot. The sun burns in the sky and there is barely any shade along the route. And that, when I want to walk 30 kilometers today. I end up in a hotel which opens its door especially for me.
Today, I have a about 30 kilometres ahead of me. First, I need to ascend for a little while, then I can go back down to the city. Onwards to become temple guard during tsuyado in temple 17.
Today I am facing my first big challenge. The route leads me past a mountain peak of 800m to Shosan-ji at 700m. After that I descend a short distance to ryokan Nabeiwa-so for my night’s stay. In total: a hike of 21.4 km.
I am walking in the area of Tukoshima. My route leads me from temple eight to temple eleven. On the way I cross the Yoshino River. I planned my stay in a hut next to a bath house, an onsen.
I get back on the road and hike up to temple seven. I arrange for a free place to sleep for the night in Anraku-ji, temple six. According to local legends, the entrance building where I will sleep is haunted by a little girl. Walking distance of the day: 27.4 km.
Today my pilgrimage starts. I start off hardcore; straight from the airport to Shikoku, and then it is off to the trail!
Today I leave for Japan. I leave my family behind and say goodbye to The Netherlands. The coming two months I will be walking 1200 kilometers on the Isle of Shikoku, Japan.