Going into the mountains to Koyasan

Our last day in Kyoto was spent quite relaxing. Waking up, getting everything ready for departure, and heading back out of the hostel for some last explorations..
Kodama's not the only cute one..

Higashiyama

Maruyama park was our first stop and showed us some beautiful blooming Sakura. But Kodaji was our desired destination. There is a shrine to Hideyoshi and Nene, a couple that is said to help with a loving marriage,  so we just HAD to stop there (although we don't believe that gods make/decide our life.. It doesn't harm NOT to bother them :-)
Does he already look mad?
We finished our walk through the old town before heading back to the hostel to pick up our backpacks. Time was fleeting and we needed to get on the train to our next destination!
The gate to Maruyama park 

Koyasan 

The ride to Koyasan was a bumpy one. The first rides to Kyoto station and Osaka were packed with people and our backpacks didn't help alot with the space available. Going from there to Koyasan luckily gave us some more space, with finally a ride up the mountain in a cable cart!
Getting ready for a night out?
Koyasan houses a walking route that leads you past more that 1300 tombs on the path to Okunoin which ends with the Torodo (a hall of Lamps).  This great path of pilgrimage leads you past some beautiful shrines as well as some nice statues,  leading you to a building that's completely filled with lights and small Buddha status (of course I could not take pictures there..). But we had to hasten our walk back, for we would miss dinner in our lodging.
Tonight we're sleeping here!
This is a genuine Buddhist temple that opens its rooms for guests (that have to follow the regime of the monks though..) so dinner was served at 17h30! We could enjoy a private onsen after that delicious meal and are now getting ready for bed, because tomorrow at 6h30 we have to be ready for morning prayers (I kid you not..)
My stamp booklet is filling nicely!

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