The area surrounding Kunimiyama has a lot to offer, which is why I decided to return a month after my last visit. This time I came on two wheels and was keen to check-out some new sites and any religious icons along the way. And, as you will see in the following images, there were many.
This is the first icon of my trip, a Sekibutsu hidden amongst the trees, just off the Hachibuse Pass road. I have cycled this road about 5-times over the years, and never managed to notice this. The only reason I did was that I stopped here fro a break.
A bit further down the road from the Sekibutsu, I discovered this interesting set of sheds (for want of a better description).
Inside one of the sheds was this fine looking statue. My guess it is dedicated to some Buddhist Deity. Again, I have passed this site several times and payed no attention to the surroundings.
Further on into my outing (about 3-hours to be precise) my left leg began to cause me some concern and I stopped and took a break. As I looked up onto the forest behind me, I discovered this interesting-looking structure. My curiosity getting the better of me, I took a look.
Surrounding the small temple, was a collection of icons; my guess that this was a cemetery.
But it was this icon that interested me the most. If you look closely at the temple, you will see this at the entrance.
Next stop, the settlement of Fukusumicho and this concrete lantern. My guess it is attached to the Sainen-ji Temple, about a few-hundred meters away.
What would an outing be without a Jizo. This one was well hidden back off the road - actually it was atop a bank and partly obscured by trees. It was a narrow, steep track that alerted me to this object.
I am now in familiar territory - the Nanamagari Path. This set of concrete pagodas signifies the entrance to the Shimonobo Eisho-ji Temple.
The last icon of my days outing. I was passing through the settlement of Nakahatacho
when I spotted this little fella. Quite cute really. But, it wasn't just the statuette that took my fancy. It was the view from this location. If you hadn't guessed by now, I enjoy passing through these quaint wee settlements while on my travels.
when I spotted this little fella. Quite cute really. But, it wasn't just the statuette that took my fancy. It was the view from this location. If you hadn't guessed by now, I enjoy passing through these quaint wee settlements while on my travels.
This is the full trip details, courtesy of my "Ride with G.P.S." page. And I won't forget to include the video of my days outing.