[Connected Travelogue #442] A Fun Walk Aiming for Konsen-ji Temple☆ (With a Trap) [Shikoku Pilgrimage]

Last time, I extended my lifespan at Gokuraku-ji Temple, and decided to visit one more temple.

Now, let's walk the approximately 3km from Gokuraku-ji to Konsen-ji.

Come to think of it, when I was in a super shut-in state, even walking 1km was a chore, but now I have the muscle strength to do it easily.

Perhaps life really is about the physical.

Muscles expand possibilities...!

Oh, the rice hanging on the racks has nets over it...?

It's a sight I haven't seen in my own area, but since they're going to the trouble of doing it, there must be some benefit.

I looked it up right away, and it seems those nets prevent bird damage.

Now that I think about it, leaving them without nets is like leaving food just sitting out.

But with those nets, birds can't get to the ears of rice, right?

A clever trick!!

(But why was the rice in my area fine without nets...?)

Hmm, it really is fun to walk through lands I don't know!

I've been moving since the morning, so I'm definitely starting to feel tired, but the joy of walking is overcoming it.

I never knew I had this aptitude, since I was only interested in games and watching videos, so you really never know until you try something.

Oh, this plant growing by the side of the road is...!

Oh...!

It's that 'thing that gets stuck to you on the way home from school'!! (Bidens pilosa)

It's nice to feel a bit nostalgic, but if this gets on your clothes, your mood will plummet, so you have to watch your step!

After walking for a while like that, I finally reached the spot that was 150m to Konsen-ji Temple.

The walking time was... 30 minutes, I'd say.

For some reason, the directional arrow is pointing toward an unpaved shortcut.

Well then, I'll follow that and start walking the shortcut...

(pitter-patter pitter-patter)

...Hmm?

This is a beggar-ticks hell, isn't it!?

...Yes, I'm easily avoiding the shortcut and taking the long way around.

I am a little curious about what kind of disaster my pants and shoes would be in after cutting through that path, but that's not what I should be doing right now.

"Don't walk into a visible failure"

If you're an intelligent creature, you should try to do that...!

So, despite the little trouble at the end, I've arrived at the third temple, Konsen-ji.

It's illuminated by the sunset, and it feels quite nice...!

Now, reading the temple's history, it seems that in the very beginning it was the 'Konkomyo-ji' temple, established by Gyoki'.

It is said that in a later era, when Kobo Daishi (Kukai) visited and was told that the residents were suffering from a water shortage, he dug a well for them.

The residents exclaimed, "It's a spring...! A golden spring!!," which is how the temple came to be named 'Konsen-ji' (Golden Spring Temple).

Come to think of it, I've heard that monks in the past were also intellectuals who mastered civil engineering and architecture.

Since Kukai was apparently quite a genius, it is highly likely that he absorbed a vast amount of the latest technology from Tang during his days as a Japanese envoy to Tang China.

If he generously provided the knowledge and technology he gained in this way to the common people, it's no wonder that faith in him would emerge.

And so, that was Konsen-ji.

Also, there is the well that Kobo Daishi dug and a stone used for a test of strength by Yoshitsune's army when they stopped by before heading to the Battle of Yashima, but...

My legs are at their limit, so please see for yourselves!!

→ (Reference Video)

Well then, let's walk to the nearby Itano Station.

The distance is 600m, so I should be able to manage.

My goodness, before I knew it, in just one day I had conquered Ryosen-ji, Gokuraku-ji, and Konsen-ji, while also learning about the connection between Naruto City and Germany through the Oasa Hiko Shrine.

Between this and yesterday's tour of the Otsuka Museum of Art, I can say that my first trip to Tokushima was a great success, packed with density.

And with this, I have now visited every prefecture in Shikoku.

That said, I can't say I've experienced every element yet.

This means I'll have to visit Tokushima again...! (I also want to see the museum properly)

Thank you Tokushima, until we meet again...!!

I boarded the train and began my journey.

...Well, after transferring trains, I arrived at Zentsu-ji Station.

Zentsu-ji Temple, known as the birthplace of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), but where exactly is the place I want to go...?

To be continued in the next episode!!