Day 48 : 24 May 2009
We began climbing from the very start through dark, steamy forest to Temple 65 Sankakuji (Triangular Temple) in a beautiful lush setting.
We meandered downhill passing terraced fields, stoping a Bangai Temple where we saw a happy little statue with the biggest penis.
Along the way we were given a packet of little cakes at a shop and some chocolate buns by a passing motorist.
It was a long slow ascent to910 metres, the highest of the Temples, Temple 66 Unpenji (Temple of Hovering Clouds). It can also be reached by cable car. There are 500 strange, life size statues in the Temple surrounds.
Another female henro who was continuing on that day.
At 4.30pm the Temple staff left the mountain on the last cable car of the day and by 5pm a thick fog rolled in. The strange figures looked weirder in the mist, their eyes seemed to be following you.
Yamadaki, a fit 68 year old henro, arrived late to share the tsuyado. There were no lights so we all went to bed at 6pm.
We stayed in the free Temple accommodation, a large comfortable room with tatami mats for sleeping and an adjoining area with tables and chairs for eating.
(34.0359 N 133.7243 E)