Wooohoo no trains today! In fact, no public transport of any kind - we've been exploring Koyasan on foot.

Our first stop was this huge, sprawling Buddhist cemetery. We walked through the forest past literally thousands of elaborate Buddhist tombs until we reached a line of Buddhas that were surrounded by praying tourists. Crossing the bridge we entered Toro-do (the lantern hall) - the walls and ceiling were covered in hundreds of lanterns and there appeared to be a ceremony taking place, complete with a monk chanting. It was so peaceful though and I found myself staying quite a while, possibly because I love the smell of incense! Just to warn HFG, I will be bringing joss sticks home with me like a big gay hippy...

We then went to this booth and attempted to lift the Miroku-ishi (a boulder that you can only access through a hole you stick your arm through). Apparently, the weight of the stone is meant to change according to the weight of your sin. None of us could lift it. Though I have puny arms, Jim and Don have no excuse and are clearly serial killers in their spare time.

After lunch we went into the Kongobuji Temple which was spectacular - ornate gold altar and beautiful paintings hung around the room. Further down the road was the Goran Temple Complex housing the Kondo (a hall for Buddhist services), the Miedo (the Hall of Eternal Rest), the Fudodo (the oldest building in Koyasan), the Saito and Toto (pagodas) and, most impressively, the Konpon Daito (the Great Pagoda). The latter was 48m high and vivid red. We had a look inside and saw the Dainichi-nyorai (Cosmic Buddha - or CB as he's now known to us).

Despite feeling lazy we squeezed in a quick look at The Daimon, the 25m high entrance gate to the whole monastic complex, before having a cuppa in a cafe, a relax at the hostel (where we booked our capsule hotel in Tokyo - COME ON!) and then went back to the izikaya from last night for tea. It was the nicest meal I've had so far in Japan without a doubt.

Reading that back it makes the day sound a lot more hectic than it was - we just ambled about really. But we are definitely all templed out now and I for one can't wait for some lowbrow activity in Osaka tomorrow.

Before I go, I won quote of the day with "You can't be a half-arsed monk" (NB the word monk is now disqualified from all quote of the day competitions because you're guaranteed to win using it)

Love you and miss you all x xx x x

P.S. It's karaoke in Chiba this weekend and I need song suggestions - post any you can think of on the message board otherwise it looks like I'll just be doing 'when doves cry' on repeat until someone strangles me with the microphone cord.