The Temple of 1000 Steps

Last week I promised you Kyoto & Nara, but I don't want to leave out the fun places we've discovered here on our little island of Shikoku!  So let's start with one of our favorite shrines, KONPIRASAN in Kotohira.  It's about 20 min. by car from our house and is a bit of a climb to reach.  Ok, 700+ stairs to the main shrine and 1368 to the very top!

Zack, Andrea & Spencer starting our climb

It's not just a straight staircase, the path is lined with shops and it flattens out for a few steps before you reach the next flight.  It is a bit much for little kids, and Holden somehow talked his auntie into lugging him up on her back.  Weighing in at over 30 lbs., he is not a "little 2 1/2 yr. old".  But he does seem to have his auntie wrapped around his finger!

This is the first shrine you come to, but it's still a good 100+ more steps to the main shrine.  Perhaps they meant this as an encouragement to keep you going, but I think it's a little mean.  You think your there and then....

Grandpa & Hos

you walk around the corner see this!  Yep, keep going!  (Zack and Julie decided to split the load at the end, you can see them at the top of the staircase carrying Holden.  He lifted his legs, but he thought it was the best game ever!)

Grandpa almost to the top!

But once you reach the top, your greeted with these views!

Keepin' out the evil with a mouth of sharp teeth!

Yes, that is Gold on the doors!

 This is the main shrine and most people stop here.  Zack had a class to teach, so Julie & tired Holden (though I'm not sure why HE was so tired, he was carried!) left with Zack to get him back in time.  Grandpa, Hos, and I headed for the other 600+ stairs to get to the TOP!

Grandpa & Hos at the top shrine

 1368 stairs in total, we reached this small shrine.  Perhaps the reason most people stop at the lower shrine is because this one can't really compare.  But the climb is beautiful and we all voted it was worth it!

 Now to go back down all 1368 stairs!  This last photo was taken near the bottom.  Still going, we made it all the way back to the car and back home.  But Hos and Grandpa both refused to go upstairs once we got home until after they ate dinner! 

Hos & Grandpa