Koyasan
After five lovely days in Osaka, staying at the Osaka Hilton and making day trips, we packed everything up and started our journey to Koyasan, the Temple town above Koya. We set off to the subway heading to Namba and it was rush hour, so we packed onto the train like sardines. Fortunately, after a few quick stops, our status changed to that of a more comfortable one, allowing us to actually sit and enjoy the rest of the ride. We made it to the train station upstairs and rode the Koyo rail to Koyasan, which lasted about 1 1/2 hours. We saw beautiful, plentiful and amazing gardens along the way, very inspiring and ate egg salad sandwiches (from 7-11 of all places), a Japanese staple. YUM!
Once off the train, we were at the foot of the mountain and had to take a funicular – an incline tram – up the mountain where we boarded a bus to ‘downtown’ Koyasan and walked to Soji-in Monastery. Not much of a hike. We dropped off our few bags and headed out to find lunch and an adult beverage. We found a lovely restaurant and enjoyed soba noodles with shrimp tempura, tuna roll and tuna with cucumber roll, sake, draft beer and more sake. Wanting to explore our new home, we ventured up to the original welcoming gate to Koyasan – Daimon Gate (circa 740 A.D.)
Our stay at Soji-in Temple included a vegetarian breakfast and vegetarian dinner and each meal was spectacular. The broth was amazing. Being the naughty group we were, we did smuggle in vodka and wine. But to our surprise, sake and beer were available at dinner service…At a Temple? Impressed while a little perplexed. Obviously, being impressed ruled!
We attended the morning ceremony/service. When I walked into the temple, I began weeping, not crying, just weeping. Such energy, such emotion, such power. The service lasted about 60 minutes and we had the opportunity to ‘chat’ with the Head Monk (who happens to be the Master Monk for the entire mountain, overseeing 117 temples) via Patrick, our interpreter. What an experience. When we left the temple, I told my friend April, that I wept upon entering the temple, not knowing why, but embracing it. I was not alone. She wept too…powerful.
Patrick took us on an amazing tour that evening, explaining the land, the history, the various temples, the energy, the purpose, the inclusion. We made the temple turn three times-
- Think of someone else
- Think of something for yourself
- Thank the universe
‘Birth is not the beginning and death is not the end.’
‘There is beauty in everything, but not everyone sees it.’
The original symbol of Japan – The Dragonfly
Patrick taught us a lot that evening.
The next day, we took a bus to and walked through the Ichinohashi entrance to the famous Koyasan Cemetery. What an amazing place. It was peaceful, calming, with birds singing. Adam found an ancient samurai worrier who shared his birth day and month. He was proud! We didn’t talk much, just taking it all in. So beautiful and awe inspiring. Headed to Okuno-in and the KoboDaishi Gobyo Mausoleum.
I must apologize here, as I am sure I am botching the spelling of all the amazing places I visited. Please forgive me. I just want to share the incredible experience I enjoyed and shared with good friends.
