Well…I made it! Barely, but I’m in one piece.

Today started with a delightful Western breakfast served by my airbnb hosts.

After that, time to walk! Apparently this area is known for growing bonsai and olives. Some bonsai and olive shots:

I knew the day would start out with a lot of waking up. I forgot that meant stairs. A lot of stairs. I heard you like stairs so I put stairs on your stairs.

And then…rain! Thankfully not too strong, but still, rain.

After relaxing for a bit, look who showed up to say hello!

This temple was so beautiful it was hard to not take a gazillion pictures.

From there, back on the trail. I was starting to get tired—it was a lot of up and down—when I came across this heart-breaking rest stop. Read for yourself. I should have taken a photo of the snacks inside the plastic boxes—I picked a ramune and some Koala Yummies.

Walked some more and then time for a lunch break.

Left my bag at the rest stop and walked to Temple #82. Not as gorgeous as #81 but still very nice.

Maybe you’ve got some spare time and would like to help trim the grass?

Walked a bit more and …MUKADE!!! Poisonous Japanese centipede. It won’t kill you but the bite is supposed to hurt really bad.

After this, it was a lot of downhill walking to the edge of Takamatsu, the largest city in Kagawa prefecture, with over 400,000 people. It gets less photogenic so I don’t have as many photos to share.

Stopped for a rest in this rest hut. Some shots of the guest book. Guests leave a name slip; the color represents the number of times the pilgrim has completed the pilgrimage.

By this time I was getting awfully tired. But still 4-5 more kilometers to go?

Stopped for a rest and had a lovely chat with these delightful ten-year-olds. They were so sweet and curious and happy to chat in my poor Japanese.

Finally made it to my inn around 5:30. Until tomorrow, friends!