Konpira-San

This is one of those older posts that I promised and am finally getting around to.

While we were in Nio waiting for the second typhoon, we decided to make a side trip to Konpira-San.  We had been told this is a must stop for sailors in the region.  Why, we were not sure, as it was half way up Mount Zozu, and boasted 1368 steps.  But further investigation told us this shrine was founded in the first century and housed the god O-Mono-nushi-no-mikoto, who looks after seafarers.  The reason this mountain was picked was probably because it was conspicuous to any seafarers traveling the region.

So with a day to spare before the winds started we headed out with some others from the rally - Shiho, who had never been and also had the advantage of speaking Japanese and another couple, Ros and Bruce.

On the way up along all those stairs are the typical bazaar type shops that adorn many of the major shrines in Japan.  We were able to borrow some walking sticks by purchasing some local snacks from one of these on the way up.  And on the way down the shops offered a pleasant distraction for the ladies while Bruce and Mark sampled some beer!  Of course we did all those steps and when we got back down we found out that the god was not in residence. For one weekend a year the god comes out of the shrine and spends his time at a famous old bridge in town and the day we were there was the day.  So we headed over there in case he was still to be found.

Steps with shops on the side

This Dog made the journey so his master didn't have to

More Steps

Bruce, Mark, Ros and Shiho all in front of the photographer

Hey, pretty nice up here

This is a solar powered boat made from recycled beer cans that crossed the Pacific.
Actually this room is loaded with maritime stuff 

If you can't make the steps you can hire these guys to carry you

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This is the bridge the god was supposedly visiting

And this is Bruce and Ros.  Not sure what Ros is up to but if she is
looking for O-mono-nushi-no-mikoto pretty sure he is not there