The GAdventures tour is well-underway as we left Osaka yesterday for Koyasan. Two train rides and a funicular ride away, Koyasan is the spiritual home of Japanese Shingon Buddhism. 

Being at around 3000 feet of elevation, Koyasan was a welcome change of climate from steamy Osaka. We checked into the temple where we would be staying the night, Shojoshin-in and then headed out to explore a few more temples, including Kongōbu-ji, the historic home of Shingon Buddhism. 

We continued our walk the Okunoin Cemetery, where many famous Samurai warriors are memorialized. We also performed a water ceremony to honor our own ancestors which was very special.

Up next was a vegetarian dinner prepared by the temple’s monks. It was very unique and delicious…lots of small dishes packed with flavor. 

Night was spent in our very authentic rooms…a simple thin mattress on the floor of a temple room. But with air conditioning, private shower and bathroom, it was a little less rustic than it would have been hundreds of years ago. 

This morning, we woke for a fire ritual at 7am which was also really special to attend. We were able to write a hope on a stick with our names on it, offer it to the priest and burn it in hopes of it coming true. 

We’re now on our way to Hiroshima – a few trains and subways, followed by my first trip on Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train.