A Walk Around Shodoshima
Day 3 The Mito Peninsula Part II
Saturday December 26

Coming down the hillside I quickly arrive at a small, white shrine, the okunoin of temple number 29, Kazaana-An, which I find not far below. It is high on the hillside and down below I can see the fishing village I would have come through if I had taken the coast road around.

I would have been disheartened to find a big climb up to here so once again I'm glad I chose to follow the pilgrim footpath. Just as I arrive I see a pair of young women heading down to the car park below. The first pilgrims I have seen since starting this walk three days ago.

As I get to the road I meet a young man just arriving by bicycle. I keep bumping into him during the day. In such hilly terrain walking and cycling have a similar pace. My route now heads up the west coast of the peninsula, a much more populated side with farming villages as well as fishing villages, and quite a few larger temples.
Giant sago palm at Seigantoji, ShodoshimaAround the corner and over the rise, the next village is called Yoshino and is set in a small valley with rice paddies. The next temple, Shohoji, number 30, is a fairly standard rural temple. There is a priest's house, but no-one is home. Back to the coast road and once again around and over to the next little village and valley, Hamaminami, and temple 31, Seigantoji. This is a little more substantial, with a gate with a bell, and in the forecourt a truly massive Cycad, a Sago P...