DAY 11 高知/土佐 修行的道場 -6- Kochi Prefecture
We packed our belongings then set off from Shimanto Town (四萬十町), then chose Route 56 to Route 231, I could see the intersection of Shimanto River (四萬十川) and sea when I arrived at the Shimanto City (四萬十市). Even though I was curious of this famous river how beautiful it is, I didn't feel amazing to this intersection. Perhaps the best view of Shimanto River was still located at the upstream!? This day of cycling was like never ended. The route was not only long distance but also heaps of uphills. Finally we found one convenient store for taking a break, I met one walking pilgrims from the United States. I was so glad that I can communicate with people in the language which I understand. Otherwise, I often thought talking with people was very difficult job so far. This U.S. lady had brought tent for camping, she said she enjoyed a lot when she walked in Shikoku Henro, because Shikoku was pretty magnificent place~ I recalled the road which I rode was so long and so zigzagging, how could she come here in the same route on foot? "What do you want to do after you finish Henro? " I asked. "Well, I wanna have a look some cities, like Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka... Depends on how many days left after I finish Henro... This is my fist time come to Japan, you know I can stay 90 days by tourist visa, so I plan to stay here 90 days, maybe go to Bali after 90 days~ " She replied. I wish one day I can hear some one is willing to spend 90 days travelling Taiwan, I will so pride then. After saying goodbye to that U.S. lady, I started to organize another kind travel route which is similar with Shikoku Ohenro, combined the factors like nature, history, culture or religions~~~ Must be fun! Mr Nakagawa worried about we could not reach Kongofuku-ji (#38 金剛福寺) today, he booked the Pension Sarai where was 2 KM north far from Kongofuku-ji (#38). Before we reached our accommodation, I saw one big Henro Hut in Tsuro (津呂), about 5 KM north from Kongofuku-ji (#38), depended on my accommodation document, this is a Zenkoyado for pilgrims. If you have interest on this hut, you might contact with Mr 金平 (Sorry, I don't know how to pronounce in Japanese.) via phone at 0880827304. But please note: this is NOT free accommodation, ¥500 for meal and another¥500 for staying overnight. As another southern cape in Shikoku, southeastern Cape Muroto (室戶岬) looked easier than Cape Ashizuri (足摺岬) . Cape Muroto is just long, but the roads undulated though Cape Ashizuri, I did realize what it is the meaning of Kochi Prefecture : The Place of Ascetic Training (修行道場) . Finally we saw our accommodation tonight, and decided to ride more 2 KM for the stamp of temple first because we still had time. Kongofuku-ji (#38 金剛福寺) was one of my favorite temple in Ohenro. I did love the lake and garden which surround Kongofuku-ji (#38), made me feel peace and erase my weariness when I browsed this temple. We got the stamp of Kongofuku-ji then toward Cape Ashizuri by walking. Compared with Cape Muroto I saw in Day 6, Cape Ashizuri looked not so majestic, here was only one lighthouse and cat nearby the signboard, otherwise there was nothing able to emphasize on it was the most southern point in Shikoku. On the ending of today, we enjoyed a very plentiful and delicious meal in Pension Sarai. The price (¥6000) might be the most expensive one in my pilgrimage, but it was definitely worthy for me to have amazing seafood dinner. Pension Sarai is more like universal holiday inn, unlike the minshuku for pilgrims which I often stayed in Shikoku. You can see the uncovered sea view from bath room, here offered the service for washing and drying clothes. Thanks for the boss, my clothes and jean were really dirty that moment. Boss gave me a lovely samurai helmet doll, so I sent a PENGHU postcard as a return. My postcard pic was a cat doll with Twin Hearts Stone Weir (雙心石滬), it exactly matched this pension style very much!
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