Day 7

Today we left the hotel earlier than the scheduled departure time so I could visit a temple close by I had seen the day before. We passed the baths we used last night and found our way to the temple.




It was located at the top of a steep set of steps and had a great view of the city. Little did I know but steps were going to be the order of the day - more later.
The temple was a simple one of red wood with a tiled roof, similar to many others we have seen.






We then met up with the rest of the group and took the tram to the railway station where we caught an express train to Tadotsu, From here we got a local train to Kotohira. A short bus journey took us to our hotel, a very smart ryokan.




Kotohira is famous for the Kompira-san shrine, dedicated to the Gods of the sea, fertility and medicine. It is famous a because it is located at the top of a wooded hill and is reached by climbing 1356 steps (if you go right to the very top) or only 746 if you go to the main shrine which most people do. We decided to go to the top!



It is dotted with statues and museums along the route and at the start with loads of shops selling food and general shiny plastic rubbish! It seems wherever you go in Asia the people love a bit of brightly coloured tat!



It was very busy and it was great to see people of all ages making their way up. Many had bamboo poles to help them and the climb was accompanied by the hollow tapping of bamboo sticks on the stone steps.



George took some girls group picture and then much to their amusement got his Curious George toy out to have his picture taken with them. One of the girls produced her traveling companion and they had another picture taken!



We made it to the first temple where we met Olga from our group. We persuaded her to come with us to the top temple - I think it was a decision she later regretted as we had another 700 odd steps to go and she believed she was already at the top!




We eventually made it to the upper temple and stayed for a while to recover! On the hillside rock above the temple were two carvings of peoples faces, one with a long nose. We had seen copies of these in wood below in a shop.



We made our way back down - all 1300 odd - and returned to our ryokan for a well earned hot bath in the onsen. It was a great way to ease our sore knees!
Dinner tonight is another Japanese affair in our ryokan served by ladies in traditional kimono dress, it should prove another memorable dining experience!