Uranouchi Bay in Kochi

 

After visiting Shoryuji, the 36th temple on the famous Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage, the pilgrima has several alternative routes to get to the next temple, number 37, Iwamotoji.

The most commonly taken route is to backtrack a little and go back over the bridge across the narrow  entrance to Uranouchi Bay and then head west along the north coast of the bay.

Another route is to head along the southern coast of the Yokonami Peninsula, which is said to have spectacular views but is lacking in facilities.

A third option is the one I chose, to take a little ferry that connects Umetate near the bridge with Yokonami at the far end of the inlet.

The ferry is small and only takes passengers, though I believe it may be possible to take a bicycle onboard.

The ferry only runs a few times a day, and zig-zags up the narrow inlet connecting settlements on either side.

I was the only passenger, and it didn't actually stop anywhere. It approached each little harbour, but on seeing no-one waiting just turned around and carried on.

I would imagine that on wet, cloudy, or windy days the journey is not so much fun...

But on a calm day the journey was pleasant and views quite magnificent.

The previous post in this series on the space between temples along the Shikoku Ohenro was on the walk from Kiyotakiji to Shoryuji.