Niutsuhime-jinja Shrine

World Heritage site in the Wakayama Prefecture, where we started our journey

'Temizuya'

The 'temizuya' is found at the entrance of all Shinto shrines and is a place to 'purify' yourself before entering the shrine - by washing your hands and mouth

Donor's List

Okunoin Cemetery

Okunoin is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (aka Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most revered persons in the religious history of Japan. Kobo Daishi is believed to rest in eternal meditation as he awaits the Buddha of the Future. Okunoin is considered one of the most sacred places in Japan.

Okunoin Cemetery - the walk towards Kukai's mausoleum

Okunoin cemetery is the largest in Japan, with over 200,000 tombstones lining the almost two kilometer long approach to Kobo Daishi's mausoleum. Wishing to be close to Kobo Daishi in death to receive salvation, many people, including prominent monks and feudal lords, even corporations such as Panasonic, Sharp, Yakult etc have tombstones erected here.

Monks

Okunoin Cemetery

Okunoin Cemetery

Okunoin Cemetery

Temple Scribe

Memorial to unborn children

The stream that separates the innermost grounds of the temple from the rest of Okunoin cemetery. Photography is forbidden beyond this point. The wooden slats are a memorial to unborn children.

Pilgrims entering the Kongobuji Temple

Banryutei Rock Garden, Kongobuji Temple

The largest rock garden in Japan - it represents a pair of dragons emerging from the clouds

Fukuchiin Monastery

Our accommodation for the night

No shoes allowed

Slippers were laid out in a neat row for us to use while inside the monastery. Our grubby hiking boots were placed neatly in a shelf outside the monastery entrance

Fukuchiin Monastery rock garden

Japanese rock or zen gardens comprise rock and gravel - the rocks symbolise islands and mountains and the gravel is raked to suggest flowing water