I woke extra early at 5.30 am today, in order to make a head start on the mountain that Yokomine-ji (横峰寺 – 60) is perched on, only to find it had already begun raining.
![Near Myōunji](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-575.jpeg)
It was a pretty miserable 8km trudge down to Myōunji save for school kids shouting “Ohayo gozaimasu” as they cycled past on their way to school. Already pretty soaked, I stopped at FamilyMart at 8.30 am for some snacks to give me energy for the ascent ahead.
![Way up to Yokomine-ji](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-577.jpeg)
The 9km route up to Yokomine-ji (740m) starts with a gradual 7km uphill walk along a road before a steep 2km section through the woods. This last part was a real killer since I had to be extra careful not to fall on the slippery rocks.
![Yokomine-ji in the mist](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-572.jpeg)
Arriving at 11 am, the summit was shrouded in thick mist so visibility was pretty low. After the long climb, the first thing I did was to down a can of juice from the vending machine before conducting the temple rites.
![Coming down from Yokomine-ji](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-582.jpeg)
![Saijo Expressway bridge](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-584.jpeg)
An equally long 10km path descends to Kōon-ji (香園寺 – 61), through the forest and along a reservoir. Halfway down I met a group of four elderly ladies who were having a damp picnic in the middle of the path. Good on them for making the effort in such bad weather!
![View over Saijo](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-586.jpeg)
![Naranoki](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-585.jpeg)
Below the clouds, the weather had dried up but the dark skies looked as if they were threatening another downpour at any moment.
![Kōon-ji](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-576.jpeg)
![Kōon-ji top floor](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-574.jpeg)
Unlike the usual wooden temples, Kōon-ji stands out for its modern brutalist design with an enormous prayer/service hall at the top.
![Kōon-ji main hall](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-573.jpeg)
Whilst not the prettiest building on the eye I applaud it for having tried something different. Not always easily done in Japan.
![Kichijō-ji pilgrims](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-583.jpeg)
Hōju-ji (宝寿寺 – 62) and Kichijō-ji (吉祥寺 – 63) were just a few kilometres apart each. I was trying to be quick so I could make it to Maegami-ji (前神寺 – 64) by 5 pm but kept getting delayed by the same bus tour group who were clogging up the temple offices.
![Hōju-ji](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-581.jpeg)
My timing wasn’t helped by my own forgetfulness since I left my stick at a Lawson combini on the way to Kichijō-ji and wasted 30 minutes going back for it (for the second day running).
It had begun to spit with rain again but the 3.5km route to Maegami-ji along a side road lined with traditional houses was actually rather pleasant.
![Maegami-ji main hall](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-587.jpeg)
When I arrived at 4.30 pm the monks had already begun clearing up so I guess I was the last visitor for the day.
![Dinner at Yunotani Onsen](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/image-588.jpeg)
Luckily Yunotani Onsen where I am staying tonight was just 10 minutes away so I was able to make it there by 5 pm. The dinner was especially good.
The combination of the long hike in damp shoes hasn’t been very kind on my feet today so I need to be a little gentler tomorrow in preparation for the next big climb up to Sankaku-ji (三角寺 – 65) and Unpen-ji (雲辺寺 – 66).
Information
Distance walked: 33 km / 50,800 steps
Temples visited: 60–64
Overnight lodgings: Yunotani Onsen (湯之谷温泉) – Onsen
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