森

It was a beautiful day in the forest, climbing through trees and mist.

We walked from Kawashima Bridge to Fujidera temple (no.11). We spent some time here and met some men who volunteered clearing the path over the first 3km of the Henro route from Fujidera to Chōdo-an.

Then we climbed up in the hills to Shōsan-ji (temple no. 12). The way is considered a henro-korogashi, literally meaning ‘where a pilgrim falls down’, for example difficult or steep places along the journey such as going up and down mountains. It was so beautiful.

There were many pilgrims at Shōsan-ji, who had come on buses - they all chanted the sutras together. We left our bags at the temple office, and climbed up to Mt. Shōsanji where there was an okunoin (an inner sanctuary that houses a deity) to Temple 12, called Zaō Daigongen, we thought that this was a very special place.

On the road to the ryokan which we are staying in for the night, we met some friends who we had met for the first time at our minshuku last night. They have walked the Henro at least four times already.

Today I think we have climbed a total of 5000ft and walked about 17 miles.