--------
As Kyoto looms nearer, I have been planning my next steps. From Tokyo to Kyoto was simple: just follow the (yellow brick?) road. But now, I have some choices to make until I reach Shikoku.
I had originally planned to find and follow old roads through the Yamato area, from Kyoto to Wakayama. But my research came up empty. I know the old roads are there, but apparently not enough are designated to make possible a trip using them completely.
And now, with time growing short, I wouldn't be able to do it anyway.
What to do?
I have chosen three extremely tasty walks that I have long wanted to do. I then designed an itinerary that would take these in, as well as a few other high points. So here's what I expect to be doing for the rest of the week.
Tuesday, October 9th
- WALK: Arrive Kyoto; take care of personal business
- Visit Toji in Kyoto
- Visit Byodo-in in Uji [aborted]
- Lodging: Nara
- Visit the Great Buddha in Nara
- WALK: Western Nara--Saidai-ji, Kiko-ji, The Tomb of Emperor Suinin, Toshodai-ji, Yakushi-ji, and Horyu-ji--past some of Japan's most splendid temples
- Lodging: Nara
- WALK: Asuka, a capital even older than Nara. Asuka-dera has Japan's oldest wooden Buddha; the area is famous for its mysteriously-carved stones.
- Lodging: Nara
- WALK: Up the pilgrim's trail to Mount Koya [aborted]
- Visit the Garan precincts before reaching my lodging
- Lodging: Koyasan
- Visit the Okunoin, where Kobo Daishi rests in eternal meditation. This is the proper place to begin the Shikoku pilgrimage
- Transit day to Tokushima, near Temple #1 of the pilgrimage
- Lodging: Tokushima
- Begin the 88 Temple Pilgrimage of Shikoku
- Lodging: Tokushima
Updated October 9, 2019
No comments:
Post a Comment