Kindness on Shikoku: Temples 31-34
Ruth: I’m feeling very grateful tonight. We found a shelter behind a Shinto shrine between Temples 34 and 35. It has a roof, two walls and ... Read More
Life on the Floor: Temples 35-37
Gordon: Last night, together with two Japanese cyclists, we slept in a small dormitory. The notable aspect of this experience was that we were sleeping ... Read More
My complicated relationship with Tunnels: Temple 37
Ruth: Each day we pass through a number of tunnels. Two days ago the daily count reached eight! On the downside they are not very ... Read More
Southwestern Shikoku
Gordon: We are currently staying near Temple 38, at the far southwestern point of Shikoku. It is a wild and beautiful area, with substantial distances ... Read More
Konbini: The Henro’s Best Friend
Gordon: The Japanese language has incorporated a surprising number of English words. They are generally unrecognizable, however, because Japanese pronunciation splits the consonant combinations with ... Read More
Approaching Enlightenment: Temple 38
Ruth: I can feel that we are getting closer to the edge of the Kochi Prefecture, and with that the end of the period of ... Read More
Fair Weather means Time to Camp: Temples 41-43
Ruth: It’s not that I don’t like ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), but we have stayed in so many lately that I have been wanting a ... Read More
Halfway: Temples 44 and 45
Gordon: Near the end of a long but beautiful walk / ride we reached Temple 44 yesterday. This means that we have now visited half ... Read More
Mountains, Monkeys and Magic: Temples 46 & 47
Ruth: There is usually at least one point in every trip where I have to thank my Pocket Earth app for finding me yet another ... Read More
Japan can be a bit Nutty: Temples 48-51
Ruth: There are moments everyday when I am struck by just how different Japan is from any other country I have visited. It goes beyond ... Read More