Travel Tokyo to Shikoku

Today we fly from Tokyo's Haneda airport to Tokoshima where we will bus and then train to our first guesthouse, which is close to Temple No. 1, Ryozenji. We are staying at a cheap guesthouse with no meals. Our 2800 yen guest fee includes lessons on saying the sutras at the temple and fortune telling. We don't believe a futon is included so I will be trying out my new sleeping mat.

Our hostess is Takahara-San, a Buddhist nun, who has walked the trail over 100 times. She shows us her stamp book and makes us miso soup and rice (not being ascetics, we supplemented from the convenience store).

She showed us her stamp book showing multiple stamps at each temple. At the Shikoku pilgrimage, pilgrims get their books signed and stamped at each temple. Takahara-San got the initial signature and stamp, and then added over 100 more stamps.

Tomorrow she teaches us temple rituals.