Konpira-san, Kotohira


Here we are in Japan, on a small island - in a small city - and we are becoming Canadian. Our new boss, Tyler, is Canadian. A few of his other teachers are as well. Being that they are really the only people that we speak English with, other than our students, we are starting to sound a little Canadian, Aye. Hilarious.


Yesterday John the Canadian swooped in and took Jason, the kids and I all over the city. We went shopping in so many places that even I, shopper galore, felt done. We were looking for furniture and all the little fixings we need for our apartment. When we were finally through he told us we were going to Konpira-san. Not knowing what that was, I thought it was a computer store. (To be fair, it is pronounced like “conpura”, very similar to the Japanese pronunciation for computer. And, I had asked to stop at such a place for an electrical converter). I was wrong. Konpira-san is this amazing open air market that is built along the path up the mountain to a temple. The temple sits atop a mountain, 1000 steps in the sky. It is a temple attributed to the sea and all that work the sea. Inside these little shops are all things Japanese - Samuri sword replicas, hand carved arts, traditional foods and gifts. We got there rather late in the day and couldn’t look in all the shops and make it up to the temple, so we opted to window shop on our way up. We’ll go back when we have more time.


The place was gorgeous. There were arches and carvings all along the path up the to the temple. At one point along the path visitors can purchase a “fortune”. These little white pieces of paper are then tied to the low hanging tree branches, in hopes of coming true. At the base of the steps you can hire a ride to the top - a ride consists of you sitting in a covered basket and two men carrying you up by long poles over their shoulders. Poor men - but I bet they have legs of steel!


After our hike up, and down, Lily and I treated our selves to a little spa treatment. There was a little pond of fish that people put their feet and hands into. The fish were the size of a pinky. They would swim over and cling on to your feet with their mouthes and eat away at the dead skin. At first it tickled. A lot. Then, it felt amazing. A very cool experience.


And, thanks to John the Canadian for the hospitality. We appreciate you, Aye. It was a great day!



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