Okayama

I was up at 5.40 this morning, and down for the morning temple service, which one of the young monks told me is essentially the same ritual that monks on Koyasan have been performing for 1200 years. It was a peaceful way to start the day. At the conclusion of the chanting part, where the monks chant various sutras in Sanskrit I think, the senior monk launched into a long discourse, of which I understood a little thanks to the whispered translation from a younger monk who kindly came and sat beside me. But it did go on for quite a while, and it was after 8 before we emerged for breakfast. I must surely have earned some merit from all that. Anne meanwhile had a bit of a sleepin, then a sit in the delightful garden outside our room. The best view I think of any room I've slept in.

After a excellent breakfast served in our room, we paid, and headed out to start the long journey to Okayama. First the bus to the station, next the funicular down the mountain, then train to Shinimamiya, then train to Osaka, then train to Shin-Osaka, then Shinkansen to Okayama. Left at 9, arrived a bit after 2. We had lunch and a beer to fortify ourselves in Shin-Osaka, which was packed and cheerless - we just happened to see a table become vacant in one of the station restaurants as we walked past, and grabbed it as a place to sit down. Really busy weekend people traffic - all the trains going towards Koyasan that we passed were packed - lucky we went yesterday not today.

We were a bit travel weary and bedraggled when we got here, but after a bath and a rest we headed out to explore Okayama, which is a relief after the super busy Kyoto and Osaka experiences. Okayama Hana much more laid back vibe. We walked up to the river and saw the other black crow castle, its roof top golden tiger fish ornaments glowing in the late afternoon sun.

 According to Shijo, our guide from the other black crow castle in Matsumoto, the tiger fish is believed to gush water from its mouth when threatened. These fish ornaments are a sort of divine fire extinguisher, important for wooden castles. And probably as effective as the collections of red, water filled buckets you see outside Toji temple in Kyoto.

Anyway, we are very glad we went to Koyasan. It is a special place. Tomorrow we might take it easy, visit the famous gardens and maybe the castle, but generally have a rest day.