1)Friday, November 3, 2006

• The Thirty-first Fudasho: Kasamori-dera Temple (302 Kasamori, Chonan-cho, Chosei-gun, Chiba Pref.)
  
  
  • I took on the first train at 5:08 from Higashi-kurume Station. It was national holiday and thus the first train was crowded with holidaymakers than expected. I arrived in Mobara Station at 7:50 after changing train at Tokyo and Chiba.
  • The Mobara Station where I got off for the first time was big and gorgeous than I expected.
  • Only a few buses are available a day to the Fudasho. Therefore, I had planned to walk to the Fudasho from the station.
  • I started the station at 8:00. Although it was cloudy in the early morning, the blue sky appeared when I reached Mobara Station. It was unusually warm. It's Indian summer! I took off the long-sleeve shirt and walked wearing only short-sleeve T-shirt with a map in hand.
  • I continued to walk on the Boso transversal road (Route 409). I was relived when I could see the rural scene after passing 5 km point from the station.
  • When reaching 10 km point, the area became hilly and the road became upward.
  • The traffic of Boso transversal road was busy and there were several parts where no sidewalk was provided. I felt dangerous where no sidewalk was provided.
  • I thought the distance to the Fudasho from the station was around 10 km. However, I could not reach there even after I passed 10 km point.
  • Mountain village appeared when I approached the Fudasho.
  • Finally I reached the bus stop of Kasamori. The Fudasho was very close from there.
  • From the entrance of the Fudasho, I climbed up the stairs made of concrete in the cedar trees. When reaching the top, the big temple gate appeared.
  • During the approach, there existed "Three big cedar trees", Japanese cinnamon whose root has a big hole. (It is said if female passes through the hole, she will be surely pregnant.) and a monument of Basho, a famous Haiku poetry in Edo era.
  • After passing the temple gate, you can see big main temple built on the stone.
  • The distance from Mobara Station to Fudasho was approx. 12 km. (Approx. 16,000 steps) I finally reached the Fudasho at 10:00 AM. It took 2 hours.
  • It is necessary to climb the long and sharp stairs to reach the main temple. The main temple is closed on rainy day since it is dangerous to climb up.
  • It is necessary to pay \100 fee to enter the main temple. Shooting pictures is prohibited in the main temple.
  • The eleven-headed main Kannon is in the small shrine. Instead, I worshipped small gold substitute Kannon in front of the shrine.
  • After worship, I got red stamp on the pilgrimage note. The staff lady was so kind and I felt very comfortable. All staff at every Fudasho should do as she did.
  • When I reached the main temple, no one was there and thus I could enjoy quietness for a while.
  • However, owing to national holiday, the worshippers were coming one right after the other. The quietness did not continue.
  • According to the guidebook, the main temple is located on a hill and thus the Pacific Ocean can be seen. However, to my regret, I could not see owing to haze although it was fine.
  • I bought a Japanese butterbur boiled down in sweetened soy as souvenir at the small shop in the precinct. Then the lady in the shop asked me if I came here on foot. I replied, "Yes". And she told me that she saw me from the car while I was walking in the morning. She also said that she would try to take me on the car.
  • She served me a tea and pickles and we chatted for a while. I enjoyed unexpected encounter.
  • I had a plan to come back by bus to Mobara Station. However, next bus would leave at 12:35. The lady told me that I should walk alongside Route 409 westward to Ushikubo Station of Kominato Railroad. The distant was approx. 6km. Thus I decided to walk to Ushiku Station.
  • When leaving the Fudasho, more and more visitors were coming.
  • Actual distance to Kazusa Ushiku Station was 7 km. It took 1 hour and 20 minutes. The arrival time was 11:50.
  • I thought next train would leave at 12:10, but found it would go out of service owing to holiday. I had to wait for the next train to be left at 12:49.
  • Anyway, I took on the next train with two cars and enjoyed seeing local scenery for a while.
  • I changed JR train at Goi Station. I reached home at 4:00 PM.
  • I walked approx. 21 km. (Approx. 30,000 steps)
    
    
    Entrance guide Stone Buddha Approach
    
    
    Three cedars Japanese cinnamon Stone monument of Basho
    
    
    Temple gate Main temple thru temple gate
    
    
    God of thunder Main temple Entrance
    
    
    View from main temple Distant view of main temple
    
    
    Ushiku Station Kominato Railroad