Mt. Koya in Wakayama

After getting back to Tokyo from Shikoku on the 13th, I was off again on the same day, but this time to Koya-san in Wakayama.

There's public transport that can get you to the top, but I got off earlier, and did a 24-km pilgrimage along the Choishimachi Trail, a route that used to be popular with monks. On getting off the mountain, I used a route that female pilgrims used to use when they were forbidden from stepping foot on the summit.

I stayed the night there at a capsule room in a guesthouse, which was situated next to a monks' cemetery called Oku-no-in, an atmospheric place that I recommend checking out. While there, do try the vegetarian cuisine, it was absolutely delicious. It's amazing how a meatless meal can be so damn scrummy. Throughout the whole meal, a lady sitting at a neighbouring table kept on and on saying, "Mmm, oishii. Mmm, oishii..." (Mmm, it's delicious.) She was echoing my sentiments, but still, it was quite annoying!!