1)Sunday, October 30, 2005 Pilgrmage in Bando Fudasho (Part XIII) Weather : Cloudy then sunny

• The Seventeenth Fudasho : Manganji Temple (288 Izuru-cho, Tochigi City, Tochigi Pref.)
  
  
  • I left home around 5:20 in the morning. It was cloudy and chilly.
  • I took on the Seibu Line and JR Musashino Line then changed to Tobu Isezaki Line from Shin-koshigaya Station.
  • I changed to the express train of Tobu Nikko Line from Tobu Zoo Station. However, when I took on the train, I was surprised that the all four-person seats were occupied with old gentlemen and ladies who were going mountaineering/hiking. The baggage racks were filled with their rucksacks. I was forced to stand in the train to Tochigi Station.
  • I arrived in Tochigi Station at 7:39 AM. The building of Tochigi Station is very new and great. However, there were a few shops in front of the station.
  • The first bus would start at 8:45 and thus I decided to have a coffee at McDonald in front of the station, which was only open at that time. FYI, only three buses are available to the Fudasho per day. (One-way fee : Yen 800)
  • The bus (Micro bus) came before 8:30 AM. Around ten people got on the bus.
  • It took almost 50 minutes to the terminal. Just before the terminal, I could see big pit of limestone.
  • I walked 5 minutes from the terminal and saw a big temple gate in front. The precinct was not so spacious.
  • Soon the main temple appeared in the tr4ees. First I visited the main temple.
  • I could not see the eleven-headed main Kannon since she was in the small shrine.
  • Although the number of buses available are limited, the worshippers come by cars or sightseeing buses.
  • There are three souvenir shops near the precinct. This means a lot of worshippers visit the temple.
  • After worshipping the main temple, I got red stamp. Then I went to innermost shrine.
  • The slope to the innermost shrine (1.5 km) started just beside the main temple. You must to pay Yen 300 to enter.
  • I started to climb the stony slope in the cedar trees. Small stream ran alongside the slope.
  • I could see many moss-grown stone Buddhas and pagodas alongside the slope.
  • It was cool and quiet and thus I felt deeply refreshed.
  • At the top of the slope, there existed a small fall named " a fall of one's earnest wish". You can also look up a red innermost shrine from there. Climbing up the steep stone steps (almost 100 steps), you will reach the innermost shrine.
  • A 4-meter tall natural stalactite is consecrated as the back figure of Kannon in the limestone cave.
  • When coming back from the innermost shrine, the prayer by main priest started at the main temple. I could see it for a while.
  • I had enough time there since the bus to the station would start at 12:55. I strolled around the Fudasho.
  • I heard that the Izuru Soba noodle is very famous and tasty and I looked for Soba restaurants. I could find several restaurants around the Fudasho.
  • I entered one restaurant and ordered one beer first. I drank beer and then had Soba with edible wild plants. I did not think the soba was so tasty.
  • By the way, you can have vegitarian diet at the restaurant of the Fudasho. Menu: Main dish of vegetarian diet : Yen 3,150, Table d'hote of vegetarian diet : Yen 3,150, Lunch box of vegetarian diet : Yen 1,260, Table d'hote of Soba noodle : Yen 1,580 etc.
  • After the lunch, I took on the bus to be left at 12:55. Only three passengers including me were in the bus. I wondered where other people came with me in the morning were going. The next bus available would be 15:40.
  • Anyway, it seemed that I fell into asleep in the bus. When I waked up, the bus was almost approaching to Tochigi Station. The bus reached at 14:38.
  • I rushed to the platform to catch the express train to be left at 14:48.
  • I could sit down the seat since the train was not so crowded. I regretted that I did no have a time to buy a canned beer at Kiosk.
  • I could come home around 16:00. It was much earlier than I expected.
    
    
    Tochigi Station Temple Gate Stone Monument
    
    
    Deva King Main Temple Main Temple
    
    
    Stone Kannon Temple Stone Kannon Guide Plate to innermost shrine
    
    
    Slope to innermost shrine Stone Pagoda
    
    
    Stone Buddha
    
    
    Innermost Shrine Innermost Shrine Fall
    
    
    
  • I could enjoy a small journey after a long interval.
    
    
    
  
  

  ---

  
  Back