Today was the start of the actual pilgrimage for us and to get to our starting point, we first took a train further south along the coast to Kii-Tanabe, then took a taxi inland for 40 minutes to our start at the trailhead for the Takiiri-oji.
The walk today was relatively short but with two very steep ascents along the ridges of two densely forested mountains enroute to our destination for tonight, the tiny mountaintop village of Takahara. Although rugged in spots, the trail is fairly well established after years of pilgrims using it and decent maintenance.
Along the path we encountered many more Oji's and on our way into the mountaintop village we saw farmers tending rice fields and hanging rice to dry.
Our Inn tonight was again a traditional Ryokan with straw mat floors, Futon beds (and rock hard pillows) with their own Onsen (hot baths). We have now picked up the routine that you should arrive at your Inn/Ryokan before 5:00, shower and use the hot baths before dinner, go for a very hearty dinner, then roll into your Futon and get some rest for the next days walk.
Local meat store in Tanabe with Kobe and Wagu beef
The start of our walk at the Takajiri Shrine.
Heather, brushing up on looking down!
And, it just keeps going up. One of the peculiarities that we noticed so far is that they don't seem to have switchbacks going up the steep parts of the hill. They just track straight up the ridge.
The Hari-Jizodo Oji, dedicated to a local Jizo who protects Travelers and cures toothaches . . . seriously, very multi-tasking.
.... And this one, the protector of married couples . . . .
Farmers in the rice fields
Drying the Rice
Our room at the Ryokan
View from our room
Don patiently waiting for a beer at the bar.
Perfect end to a day's hike
Traditional dress
Dinner time at our Ryokan with fellow walkers
Yummmmm!
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