These are the last three temples of the second day. There are only 34 temples total and by the time you’ve done 20 in 2 days, you think it’s just flying by you but it’s actually just the end of the start.
Temple 18
This is just off of one of the main busy roads and all the guide books kind of derided it for that. However, despite being fairly small, it was very nice and well looked after. There was also a tunnel behind the main shrine filled with Buddhas that you could walk through.
Temple 19
This was one of the simplest looking temples but one of the ones that sticks out most in my head. It is maintained by the community and the woman in the stamp office was very kind and helpful for starters. However, it is perhaps the unusual rock that the temple stands on that stands out for me.
The legend attached to this temple had to do with a dragon coming out of the ground and bringing rain to a droughted region. However, the painting on the side of the main hall pointed to a different story that I couldn’t find any info on.
Temple 20
It was a long walk to temple 20 but it had very beautiful grounds. It doesn’t look like much but a driveway or staircase from the roadside but the slope of the grounds hides all you can see if you just step inside.
The temple was founded by a samurai family and their descendants still care for it today.
End of the day treat
A apple-pineapple-“pan” (pan in Japanese is a bread or bun like “pain” en français).
