Jimmuji

Well well, one lives and learns!

It turns out there is a quite large, if not actually giant, Buddha statue just 25 minutes from Oppama station (15 coming back down)! Now who would have thought!

I found out about this by hunting around on Internet for interesting things to do in the area. There is a blog that talks about this trail that goes from Jimmuji station to Oppama station where one sees this large Buddha. So I first set off to the nearest shop to get myself some maps, and then set off early this morning to investigate this trail.

And it was absolutely 100% worth it!

I took the train to Jimmuji station, and the blog clearly explained how to get onto the trail. From there on it was easy to follow, as I have now learned enough Katakana to read the signs that said "hikingu coosu" this way.

Garden of the home.

The beginning of the trail goes past a school and then the most wonderful old-people's home I have ever seen. The pictures are of the rear garden of the home, which is not bad at all! But they also had some chicken coops and other bird cages, and a little cosy house, probably for a cat. Very very nice place.

After that the path winds slowly up the hill following a small stream, with tons of vines and ferns and liverwarts. Then at the top of the hill it gets into the dryer forests, with japanese cypress and bamboo. I took a little detour path to where some cherry trees grow to see if they had fall colours, but they had already lost all their leaves.

So back onto the main path, and through a large temple complex. Here too, some worderful gardens.

From there, the path meandered along the crest of the hill, with a few autumn colours starting, but an unfortunate number of high tension lines right across the view.

Then after a bit of rough path (but with chains and cords to help you), you get to the lookout tower, and the climbing rocks. From the look-out tower you can see everything from Yokohama in the distance to the North, Oppama and JAMSTEC straight East, Yokosuka and the lighthouse at Uraga to the South-East.

And then Zushi and Sagami Bay to the West, and Mt Fuji in the distance, barely visible though the clowds and the power lines. (between the 2nd and 3rd group of cables from the top)

And of course, right in front of Oppama, you can clearly see the Buddha, rising out of the nice orange and yellow chestnut trees. (to the left in the photo)

It's a couple minutes to the Buddha from the lookout tower, passing by all the different climbing rocks.

The statue itself is very impressive, both from the tower and up close, and is, indeed, very big. Standing on some rocks I still could not even reach it's feet!

And all that, right behind the house, almost! I shalll definitely be going back that way again!

And I promise I will be buying new batteries for my camera soon, so that I can show you photos that are in focus next time!