On Apr 1, 2024 we docked at Sakaiminato, Japan, a port city located in Tottori Prefecture, which is in southern Honshu, Japan’s main island. We took a bus to the town of Daisen which was once home to 100 temples, thousands of soldier-monks, and a centuries-old tradition of religious asceticism. From the town we were able to view Mt. Daisen, a beautiful snow-capped mountain that, at 1,730 meters, is approximately half the size of Mt. Fuji. It is the highest, and holiest, mountain in the Chugoku region.

From there we entered Daisen-Oki National Park where be began a 3.5 km uphill hike through the deciduous broad-leafed forest that is symbolic of Mt. Daisen. We arrived at the main hall of Daisenji Temple, a Buddhist temple founded about 1,300 years ago.

Next we hiked another 700 yards up to the Ogamiyama Shinto Shrine. The main shrine ranks among the most impressive examples of Gongen-zukuri-style buildings in Japan.

We then returned to Sakaiminato port and to our ship, and sailed away that night.