Matsuyama…we visit an amazing temple and soak in a local Onsen
The Terminal Hotel Matsuyama will be our home for a few days. It is an older hotel, but age isn’t everything. It is comfy and 3 x’s the size of rooms we normally have. The staff are excellent and instantly make you feel welcome. A tip, if you stay here, request a twin room on the corner as these are their premium rooms at a reasonable cost.
We parked our trikes outside by the back of the hotel. The staff were most concerned about their safety and each time we arrived back at the hotel, whoever was on duty would run out to cover them in a large sheet and then barricade them with cones and poles. 👍
We are heading out for a ride to visit a special Temple and an area of northen Matsuyama renowned for incredible Onsens. A quick snack at the nearby Family Mart…steamed pork bun, chicken croquette and this incredible orange juice that tastes like it has just been freshly made with pieces of orange.
The Japanese government is very strict about the rules for food companies and their labelling. For example, if the juice contains 100% fruit, the label will show whole fruit, as is the case here. If it contains less than 100%, the label will show cut fruit. If the label shows the fruit in a cartoonish way , then there isn’t any fruit in the product. Bags of potato chips and other products have to show the exact size of the potato chips on the label.
A treat to finish from the freezer, a mandarin ice bar and a banana bar.
Who is this bigger than life character in the front window of the van. It kind of makes you wonder, who is driving this vehicle. As the vehicle passed us, little smiling faces appeared at the windows waving at us. It was a school bus for preschoolers.
A school group are heading out for a field trip. These kids are amazing. Barry, a retired teacher of kids this age, is in awe at how organized and responsible they are, as well as their confidence in chatting with strangers (foreigners).
Children are always excited to visit and ask endless questions about who we are, our trikes and what we are doing, etc. It is always a highlight of our day to interact with kids like this.
Mr. Black Cat looks quite healthy, has a clipped ear which means he has been spayed. He is responsive and curious, but retains his wild temperament. He stays close by but doesn’t’ want to be touched. A lovely cat.
We have seen these oversized rope and straw sandals at many of the temples we have visited. We weren’t always sure what they represented as many were in disrepair. Here we learned that they indeed replicate a sandal. Legend has it that if you touch one of .these sandals you will be cured of foot ailments.
Time to introduce you to another Temple cat. She touched my heart as she appears unwell and is older than the others. I take solace in the reality that as a wild cat she has a home and is cared for.
I couldn’t traverse much of the grounds as it is massive with lots of stairs. Instead I took advantage of that by visiting with the cats. This black one has much character. As I spoke to him, he relaxed and let me stand close by and almost touching him. I was satisfied to see him relax and accept my presence.
Yes, the crazy cat lady is back. This golden tabby is not so impressed by me but she stays put, tolerating me. Just a note, I bought this bike cap a few trips back in Japan…and you guessed it, it is covered in drawings of cat faces.
Behind the temple is an intriguing system of tunnels built in the 1980s. The tunnel is about 200 metres long. The main tunnel leads to an inner sanctuary , with a large statue of an emaciated Buddha meditating.
Spending time at this Temple, you begin to realize that you are in special place. In places has a neglected feel, but the overall effect is unforgettable. We are standing in front of the main building of the temple.
We discovered why the gloss has been worn down in places. I watched a tour group of seniors when they approached the two green statues. Each of them spent time here, placing their hands and stroking the statues
Barry walked through this cave and found it to be quite claustrophobic. It is unlit, very dark, and extremely narrow and there are steps that you have to deal with. It is designed to give you spiritual betterment by experiencing intense disorientation.
This sign describes the importance and history of the Ishiteji Temple. Of note is that it is part of the 88 Pilgrimage being #51. Its was built in 728 by Tamasumi Oche on the order of Emperor Shomu. The Niamon Gate, built in 1318 is a national treasure, with many other important cultural properties onsite.
The bathhouse district is centred around Dogo Onsen Honkan. It is the oldest Onsen in Japan dating back to 1854. It is said to have inspired Hayao Miyazaki in the creation of the movie, Spirited Away. The area around this Onsen is very touristy. We prefer the simplicity of the local Onsen that we visited.
We have arrived at the Onsen that we want to try. Barry had read that the water in the pool from the hot springs is very pure, silky and therapeutic. We will check it out. This Onsen dates back to the 1950’s. We loved it and unlike flashier Onsens, there were no tourists here, just us and locals.
Barry chose a seafood Udon dish containing shrimp, scallops, prawns and conger eel in a fish broth. This satisfied his desire to have eel. He loved it.
I had udon with broth, tempura shrimp, squash and various vegetables. It was delicious. This restaurant offers three sizes of udon in your bowl (1, 2 or 3 servings) and the price is the same. We went for 2 and that was a mistake…we couldn’t finish the noodles.
