72-82 Complete… 6 More To Go!

Yesterday I returned from an exhausting day on the 88 Temple Pilgrimage in which I visited temples 72-82. This day trip to 11 temples included three meals of Sanuki udon, the local udon of Kagawa ken which is famous in Japan. I plan to write a blog specifically devoted to these noodles that I have come to love another time, but for now let me update you where I officially stand on my pilgrimage journey. Having completed all the temples in Tokushima, Kochi and Ehime; I am now circling back east in Kagawa towards the end of my nearly four year journey. Kagawa is located north of Tokushima and my day’s starting point from temple 72 took about 1 and half hours to reach by car yesterday morning. In order to complete the pilgrimage, it will require one more day trip, which I plan to do soon! Yesterday’s trip was highlighted by a visit to Zentsuji Temple (The Temple of Right Path), number 75 on the pilgrimage. Zentsuji marks the birth place of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Japanese Buddhism and the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Born June 15, 774 A.D. to the son of the local ruler, the temple’s name derives from his father’s name, Yoshimichi, which literally means Right Path. Zentsuji is the largest and biggest temple on Shikoku Island.

Note: Picture of me standing in front of Zetsuji Temple.