- This time, I could not get up early in the morning and I left home around 10:00 AM. I took on the express train of Odakyu Line at 11:00 PM from Shinjuku Station. When I arrived in Honatsugi Station, it was almost noon. It was fine and I could see Mt. Ohyama of Tanzawa Mountains far away.
- So far, I always walked from the station to the Fudasho without taking bus. However, it was late and it took much time to walk to the Fudasho this time. Thus I decided to take on the bus. I had difficulty in finding out the bus stop for Iiyama Kannon since there were several scattered bus stops. (The 5th bus stop)
- It took 20 minutes to Iiyama Kannon bus stop. I could see a big red arch over a bridge of Koayu River.
- However, there was no guide plate and I wondered how I should go at first.
- Two young gals who got off the same bus also seemed to be at a loss. We talked a little bit and they started to go straight. I followed them.
- Soon I could see the inns of Iiyama Spa and the guide plate to Iiyama Kannon.
- Then, the stone steps and the Deva gate appeared. The daffodils were in full bloom and I could smell a fragrance.
- When I climbed the other stone steps, I could see the main temple. The precincts were not so spacious.
- To my regret, I could not see the eleven-headed Kannon since she was sealed in a small shrine.
- There are 33 miniatures of Bando Fudashos in the precincts and thus you can visit all Fudashos at a time.
- In the back of the main temple, there is a hiking course to Mt. Hakusan (Height : 280 m)
- I followed two gals to Mt. Hakusan. The slope was so steep and I sweated.
- It takes around 20 minutes to the top. You can enjoy good scenery there.
- There were lots of old-aged hikers there.
- Only two buses per hour are available on holiday.
Stone Plate
Entrance
Deva Gate
Deva King
Daffodil
Main Temple
Main Temple
Hiking Course
Scenery from top
Stone Monument
1)Saturday, November 13, 2004 Weather : Sunny Pilgrmage in Bando Fudasho (Part III)
- The tenth Fudasho : Shohoji Temple (1229 Iwadono Higashi-Matsuyama City, Saitama Pref.)
- I had been so busy officially and privately that I could not have time to visit sacred places.
- After a long interval, I could visit 10th Fudasho which is located a little bit closer to Higashi-Kurime City.
- Before starting pilgrmage, I jogged 20 km from 6:00 AM. The wind was blowing south and it was chilly.
- I left home around 8:30 AM. I arrived in Takasaka Station of Tobu Tojo Line via Seibu Line at 10:00 AM.
- I started to walk from the west exit of the station alongside national raod. It took almost 1 hour to reach the entrance tunnel of Shohoji Temple. The temple is very close to Daito-bunka University. The university was in the middle of school festival.
- The main temple was small. However, the precinct was spacious than expected.
- There is one-thousand-hand Kannon called Iwadono Kannon in the main temple. However, the visitors are prohibited from entering into the main temple and thus I could not see the Kannon, to my regret.
- There is a big ginkgo tree, which is designated as a special natural treasure. It was too early to see colored leaves. However, I could enjoy seeing one red maple tree.
- You can see many small stone images of Buddha in the back of main temple.
- I walked back to the station via hiking route (There are signposts.) through the Deva Gate of the temple.
Deva Gate
Deva King
Stone Monument
Red Maple
Main Temple
Big Ginkgo Tree
Stone Images of Buddha
Stone Images of Buddha
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