One of the nice things about being on your own schedule is getting to some places really early. Such was the case with temple 85. Granted that I had to hike up a mountain at 6am in the morning to be there for the 7am opening but I think the pictures show that it was worth it. Thankfully, the walk down was also nowhere near as steep as the walk up.
Temple 86 was one I actually took very few pictures at. They were in the middle of doing some major restore and repair works to the grounds and the bell as well. I think the picture I did take of the bell will give you some idea of this.
Temple 87 was very nice though. It has an attached story about a famous Heian court dancer who gave it up and became a nun here with her mother when she learned about the Buddha. Not thought it over and then joined up some time later. They were both so moved by the four noble truths they just joined up on the spot.
The last two pics are of the henro salon between temples 87 and 88, which has a museum dedicated to the 1200 year history of the pilgrimage. Once I stopped here I realized how crazy tired I was from all the walking and heat so I called it a day early.
