With anticipation of the end building, I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night and so it was an effort to drag myself out of bed this morning. Thankfully the sky was looking clear and bright.
![Japanese nationalist bus](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-710.jpeg)
On the way out of Takamatsu, following the busy Route 11, I glimpsed a fleet of nationalist propaganda trucks. It’s not uncommon to see these things rolling around the streets of Tokyo blaring racist comments about foreigners from their loudspeakers.
The ascent to Yashima-ji (屋島寺 – 84) follows a steep concrete path which was pretty exhausting to my sleep-deprived body and mind.
![Yashima-ji Temple](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-711.jpeg)
Upon arrival at 8.30 am the first thing I noticed was that painted in red, Yashima-ji’s 14th-century main hall looked more like a Chinese temple.
![Yashima-ji Main Hall](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-713.jpeg)
![Inside Yashima-ji Main Hall](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-714.jpeg)
Turns out it was founded by Ganjin (鑒真), a Chinese monk who helped to propagate Buddhism in Japan.
![Rurihō-no Ike "Pond of Blood"](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-715.jpeg)
The mountain was the site of a major battle between warring clans during the 12th century and near the temple is Rurihō-no Ike pond, also called the “Pond of Blood” because warriors washed their bloody swords in it.
![View towardYakuri-ji](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-716.jpeg)
On the slippery path down I got a good view of the next mountain I’d have to climb to reach Yakuri-ji (八栗寺 – 85). Both are under 300m so pretty easy compared to others.
![Statues on way up to Yakuri-ji](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-717.jpeg)
![View from Yakuri-ji](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-718.jpeg)
It took an hour and a half to cross the gap and hike up to the temple, another steep climb running parallel to the cable car. The peak provided a good view back in the opposite direction.
![Yakuri-ji Gate](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-719.jpeg)
![Yakuri-ji Temple](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-720.jpeg)
Yakuri-ji is a beautiful mountaintop temple with an elegant thatched hall at its centre. Before carrying out the temple rites I sat down on a bench for a break and ate a cereal bar like I do most days at 11 am.
Heading south along the main road, I reached Shido-ji (志度寺 – 86) around 12.30 pm, first stopping for lunch at a roadside family restaurant.
Shido-ji’s grounds were a shambles with overgrown gardens and most of the buildings propped up by makeshift supports. It’s the only temple of the 88 that I’ve seen in such a bad condition. I wonder what the story is here?
![Orange Town](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-721.jpeg)
On the way to Nagao-ji (長尾寺 – 87) the road passes by the aptly named Orange Town which has a Hollywood esq sign on the side of a hill. No prizes for guessing what the main industry here is.
![Nagao-ji Temple](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-724.jpeg)
Arriving shortly after 3 pm the temple was pretty quiet and I completed the rites quickly. I was fading fast but luckily had found a minshuku right outside the temple gates (Nagao-ji).
![Henro doll](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-723.jpeg)
After checking in I took a shower and immediately collapsed on the tatami futon, sleeping for an hour before venturing to a nearby Lawson for some supplies.
![Sunset over Nagao-ji](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-725.jpeg)
By now the sun was waning and I popped back into Nagao-ji for another look before heading back to the minshuku for a nice dinner.
![Dinner at Nagao-ji Minshuku](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-727.jpeg)
Heavy rain is scheduled for tomorrow so the final ascent to Ōkubo-ji (大窪寺 – 88) is going to be interesting. I’m not feeling terribly emotional about it yet but we’ll have to see what the day brings.
Information
Distance walked: 32 km / 43,400 steps
Temples visited: 84–87
Overnight lodgings: Nagao-ji (結願の宿 ながお路) – Minshuku
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