Day 36: 88 Temples (61-64) - Nyūgawa

We weren't walking too far today so we didn't rush out.  We took a train just after 9 because the next one was after 11.  The plan was to take the train to Temple 64 and walk back to 61, it was only about 6km.  We would then walk back to our hotel for the next two nights.  The result would be about a 15km cheat on the walk from Imabari.  I will earn some of that back tomorrow when I do the difficult Temple 60 as I can't avoid an extra 6km walk to the start of the route.


The day went as planned.  Temple 64 looked great in the morning light.  I quite liked 64.


The next temple was about 3km along a quite side road. Temple 63 was in the middle of a residential area with a busy street on one side.  It was not a fancy temple but it had a very nice monk who chatted a bit.  As we left I saw him playing with his dog who was tied up near the office.


The walk to Temple 62 was along a busy road with little to no shoulder.  It was quite unpleasant.  62 was also a basic temple in a residential area bordering a busy road.  The monk was a funny guy as he stamped my book.  62 and 63 must be the party temples 


It was a short distance to Temple 61 but we had a conbini break along the way.  Fortunately, the route took us to a road parallel to the busy one.  Temple 61 was a bit of a shocker.  Unique among all 64(-1) temples so far.  It was a modern reimagining of the traditional temple built in 1976.  You can read more here if you are curious ... https://www.88temples.info/61/


After that we were about 5km from the hotel with 2 hours before check in.  We found an udon place and had some tonkatsu and udon.  We were not sure it was open; it is hard to tell with many businesses here.  An unlocked door is no guarantee.


Our hotel is full of some sporty kids. Mike asked what sport they played and it is "soft tennis".  Apparently, it is a 150 year old Japanese variation of tennis.  There must be a tournament here this weekend.  We just found out tomorrow is a holiday... Labor Day.


Dinner was at a simple place across the parking lot.  We were a little unsure when we sat down but the food was good.


I have planned out my attack of Temple 60.  Mike will be skipping on account of knees that don't go downhill.  The climb to 60 is about 8km up and then 10km down.  I will be at breakfast ready to go at 6am, stuff some food in my mouth, walk to the train station and catch the 6:23 train.  That will take me near Temple 61 where I need to walk about 6km to the base of the climb.  After going up and down I am again near the train at 61 which I will take back to the hotel.


Now I need to go to bed.


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