Day 10

Today we had some free time in Nara before our scheduled departure. We decided to retrace our steps from yesterday in reverse, missing out the Buddha statue. The weather was bright and warm and therefore the sights looked remarkably fresh from when we saw them yesterday in the rain.



There were numerous parties from local girls schools being briefed by their teacher as we walked in by the five storey pagoda. They were very smart in their uniforms with their sailor like shoulder covers. There were also numerous people performing their morning prayers.





Now the sun was out you could see the autumn colours starting to appear.




We were lucky that at one of the temples there was another '753' day, similar to the one in Tokyo. Little boys and girls dressed in their finest clothes with very proud mothers and fathers accompanying them.





Afterwards we returned to Nara station to commence our train journey to Koya San. This involved three trains, a funicular and a bus to reach our lodgings high in the hills. As always there were numerous chances for some great picture opportunities along the way of the local travelling public.










It was a glorious journey with tremendous views as we slowly climbed up into bamboo and pine forest, with the odd patch of orange and red deciduous trees changing leaf colour.







The conventional train arrived at its terminus and we had to switch to a funicular for the last five minutes up the mountain side. It was almost a vertical climb and to move from one part of the carriage to another was like climbing up a steep angled ladder.





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We climbed up into the mist and arrived at Koya San where we a took a bus into the small town. From our journey to reach here I was surprised by the size of the town, but there was vehicular access so perhaps it shouldn't be too much a surprise. The road here however must be a nightmare!



The colder climate had certainly brought out the autumn colours much more so than at Nara. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us tomorrow and we will get to see much more on our tour around the sights.







The lodgings were surprisingly modern and plush with tatami matting and futon beds to sleep on. They had toilets and a sink, but you had to use the public onsen for your main washing arrangements.









We settled into our accommodation, then took a nice hot bath in the onsen before dressing for dinner in our yutaka and having a tremendous vegetarian meal served by the monks, in a lovely wooden dining hall.








Clare then went for a stroll to see the giant stupa and local shrines lit up at night, whilst I caught up with my blog. Then it was time to settle down for the night on our futon beds and await the monks wake up call for meditation and prayer in the morning!