After Nara we headed to Mount Koyasan, where you can stay in a Buddhist temple with the monks. The drive was about 1.5hrs of windy and often very narrow road. The temple proved a little hard to find but when we got there it was beautiful and our room looked out over a traditional Japanese garden.
We started by checking in and wandering up the road to see the main temple area in town, there we found the Konpon Daito Pagoda and the Kondo Hall. A bit further up the road is the Daimon Gate, the old main gate at the entry to the town.
When we got back to our room, we were served a traditional Japanese vegetarian meal with several dishes. The next morning we sat in the temple and watched the monks and their early morning prayer ceremony. Ella and Abbie were amazing, they sat still and kept quiet for about 45 mins during the ceremony. Then they served us a traditional breakfast in our room. Abbie and Ella didn’t like the food much, but both meals were substantial and the dishes, especially the clear soup were packed with flavour even if there was no meat.
We had planned to visit the Okunoin when leaving but it was pouring down with rain. It is the largest cemetery and one of the most sacred spots in Japan as it contains the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism. Maybe another time…
Hey Guys. Hope you have a great day on New Years Eve and a wonderful 2017. Rohan, Rachael and Jackson.
Fire trucks in Japan don’t look that much different to the Fire trucks Uncle Rohan drives! A little smaller perhaps?!
Hey kids – all good back home. We have had over 50mm of rain – AND WE NEEDED IT as we we had 5 days of 35oC PLUS!! We are all getting a lovely shade of brown – as we are getting cooked!!!
Looking forward to you all coming home and I know Lucky will be excited!! Grandma is going well and we have covered the mango tree with the net. What an amazing place Japan is – particularly the outer limits of the mountains and regions that you never see in any travel programs.
Have fun and stay safe
Love P&J