Ōzu City

Kōbō Daishi had to spend a long night under a bridge here, at Toyogahashi, bekkaku temple number 8. So now, there is a tradition where pilgrims do not tap their staffs whilst on a bridge, but carry it instead, so as not to disturb Kōbō Daishi in case he may be sleeping there.

We walked 21 miles today - 14 scheduled, and then more as we walked to collect a parcel with new shoes. We missed the rain, which fell heavily this evening. We are staying in a lovely inn, with a pond filled with koi in a small inner courtyard.