1)Thirsday, May 1, 2008

• The twenty-third Fudasho: Katsuohji Temple (Katsuohji, Minoo-City, Osaka)
  
  
  • I got on the night bus (JR Premium Dream Bus) to be left at 23:10 from Shinjuku on April 30. The seat was broader than usual one and a little bit comfortable for night journey.
  • Anyhow, this time I was sobered state and waked up several times.
  • The bus arrived in Osaka 7:15 AM, 15 minutes in advance. The sky in Osaka was slightly overcastted.
  • I immediately transferred to the subway bound for Senri-chuo Station. I reached the terminal at 8:00 AM.
  • First I checked the bus station and the departure time for Katsuohji Temple. I found the bus was operated only three times per day. The first available bus was 9:10 AM.
  • Anyway, since I had enough time for departure, I had breakfast at fast food restaurant. The taste of morning breakfast set was not so good.
  • The bus departed as scheduled. Contrary to my expectation, the bus was so crowded and I could not get seat.
  • The bus passed the downtown slowly and finally went into the twisting mountain road. Around 10:00 AM, the bus arrived in the bus stop of Katuohji Temple.
  • I had to pay Yen 400 ! for entry fee. Then I passed the gorgeous temple gate. The long stone stairway continued to the main temple.
  • The alpine roses were in full bloom there.
  • The temple is also called as "winner's luck temple". A lot of "Winning Darumas (tumbling dolls)" were offered to fulfill the winner's luck.
  • The main temple was new and gorgeous. However, I could not see into the temple.
  • I got the red stamp for the Nokyo-cho. However, the lady made a mistake on putting the date and forcibly modified it with writing brush!
  • After visiting the Fudasho, I started to hike to Minoo Station according to the guidebook.
  • I went up the slope on the basc of the temple, then I came across the Tokai Natural Road. Shortly I saw the tomb of Princess Kaisei, who opened Katsuohji Temple.
  • I could enjoy quiet hiking since I only met a few hikers.
  • The tourists increased after I passed Minoo Visitor Center.
  • I met a group of school excursion at Minoo Fall (33-meter fall).
  • The hiking road continued from Minoo Fall to Minoo Station to Hankyu Line along side Minoo River. The green leaves of maples were beautiful. The scenery in autumn may be wonderful.
  • The souvenir shops appeared when approaching the station. I could see a lot of display saying "Maple Tempura". At one shop. a old lady was frying tempura and I asked her what the Maple Tempura was. She told me to taste to see what it's like. I found it was a kind of fried sweet bun containing maple leaf. I bought one package for souvenir.
  • I reached Minoo Station around noon.
    
    
    Temple Gate Jizou Approach
    
    
    Alpine Rose Tumbling Dolls Main Temple
    
    
    Nikaido Temple Tokai Natural Road Tomb
    
    
    Minoo Fall
    
    
    

• The twenty fourth Fudasho: Nakayamadera Temple (2-11-1 Nakayamadera, Takarazuka City, Hyogo Pref.)
  
  
  • I got off at Nakayama Station of Hankyu Takarazuka Line.
  • The Fudasho was located very close to the station.
  • Nakayamadera Temple is famous for wishing safety delivery. I saw a lot of couples with babies. They might pay a visit of thanks to a temple.
  • Passing through the gorgeous temple gate, I went up the stone stairway to the main temple. There were even escalator!
  • The eleven-faced Kannon was enshrined in the temple, but I could not see it since it was in the small shrine.
  • There were so many temples in the precinct and a lot of Shinto and Buddhist deities were enshrined. Thus I felt commercialism only instead of divinity in this temple. Thus I lost my religion here.
  • The guidebook says there is a hiking road to the innermost sanctuary of this temple. However, I had no more energy to go there.
  • I decided to go back to Osaka and go to Okayama by Shinkansen.
    
    
    Temple Gate Temple Gate Main Temple
    
    
    Main Temple Pagoda Mian Temple
    
    
    
  
  

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