Do Not Underestimate Mt. Mitoku: To Japan's Three Great Nageire-do Halls - Travel Guide: Thoroughly Tottori Trip

From the window of the hotel's high floor,
I gaze at Mt. Daisen.

Daba-da, ah-ah, daba-da ♬

Morning mist that suits a cup of coffee

Thoroughly conquer Tottori

The second morning of our Tottori trip has arrived, as we, the "Nagu-Nagu Gang," boasted we would.
However, the weather is not great, with a forecast for it to deteriorate from midday.

Hmm, "What shall we do, Nagu-Nagu?"
"Let's change the order of our itinerary."

Once the itinerary is (roughly) decided, let's go!

Departing from the hotel.

◇◇◇

Die Hard

"Please show me the soles of your shoes."

This is Mt. Mitoku Sanbutsu-ji Temple.

We are about to embark on a pilgrimage climb to the inner sanctuary, the Nageire-do Hall. Yes, it is a "climb."

I heard that sneakers were not allowed.
So, I had brought hiking boots in the car.

Even at airport boarding gates, I've never had my shoe soles checked, but here, even the bottom of my soles were strictly inspected. It felt like showing a part I shouldn't show, oh my. Why do I feel a little embarrassed? (lol)

Even a check of the soles of my shoes,

I thought it was an exaggeration...

I was naive to think that.
Less than two minutes after I started walking, I regretted it...

Here is a Nagu-Two point!

Three-point support

If you have experience with mountain climbing or bouldering, you know about three-point support (three-point contact).

When climbing rocky areas, to stabilize your body and avoid the danger of slipping, you move by lifting only one limb at a time from the ground out of your four limbs (both hands and feet).
It's like the technique for climbing a jungle gym that we enjoyed in elementary school.

Right leg, right hand, left hand, left leg
Left leg, right hand, then right leg, left hand

Phew...

I resent yesterday's rainfall,
and I must climb today before the rain comes again,
I shouldn't rush, but I'm a little anxious.

Who on earth!

was the one who built it in a place like this?

Looking up, there is the Monju-do Hall.

The mountain trail stretches out beneath those pillars.

Going is easy, returning is scary ♬ is the usual saying, but...

Going is scary, and seriously, what are you supposed to do on the way back!?

For now, let's just move forward without thinking about anything.
(Is it really okay not to think about it? Nagu-nagu)

A-at last!

After 45 minutes of walking,

It's here----!

It is such a steep slope that you hesitate to even stand directly in front of it to pray because it is so unstable.

For the first time in a while, I thoroughly enjoyed a serious mountain climb.

I was in a high-tension state, with adrenaline pumping.

The weather didn't turn bad either.

Man, that was great, that was great.

Actually, no it wasn't.

The terrifying descent is waiting for me now...
Am I really going to climb down the chain section...?

What is a chain section?
Let me explain!

Heave, ho.

On the sheer rock face,

without using the chains, there's barely anywhere to get a handhold. For my feet, there's only just enough space to hook the tips of my hiking boots.

Back in my student days, a senior taught me, 'Never trust chains or ropes.'

In the mountains, weathering happens quickly.
I was taught that you shouldn't trust them with your full weight, but rather that they are there to help you in the worst-case scenario.

However, here, I placed my total, absolute, god-like trust in them.

Please, chain!
I said, gripping the chain with all my might as I descended the rocky area.

My legs are shaking a little from the tension and fatigue.

◇◇◇

Phew...
I've returned to the world below.

Let's have lunch.

I take off my work gloves and hiking boots, then step into the guest room.
The cold barley tea feels wonderful.

Looking out the window,
it has started to drizzle a little.

I, the 'sunny man'—or rather, the 'just-in-time' man—
have lived up to my reputation.

Firm, subtly delicious tofu, please enjoy it with wasabi pickles,
tochi-mochi (horse chestnut rice cakes), maitake mushrooms, knotweed? rock tobacco? yellow rose? I'm a bit uneducated about these wild vegetables. The tempura made from mountain herbs soaks right into my body.

Ah, the happiness of being alive.

That is what this Mitokusan pilgrimageclimbmade me feel.

The day has only just begun.
What shall I do this afternoon?

I didn't know at the time
that I would be suffering from latissimus dorsi muscle pain the next day.

(To be continued...)

If you haven't read the Tottori trip from the beginning, click here.