Jigen-in Temple (Takasaki Byakue Dai-Kannon), Nakanotake Shrine, and Silk Mill

I never finished posting about our trip North to Gunma for our anniversary.  We spent a day going to Jigen-in Temple to see the Kannon.  We walked around the grounds and were able to climb to the shoulder of the Kannon.  It felt so nice at the top with the wind coming through the hole that it was totally worth climbing all the stairs for the view and for the break from the heat.  After, we walked around the ground and saw a bunch of run-down buildings along the pathway (temples often have little road markets/souvenir shops along the pathway leading away from the temples).  We did something else before the Kannon but we can't remember what order we did everything and I guess it doesn't actually matter what day we did what.  

We went to a silk mill that was a historical site and it was way cooler than I expected.  It was actually really interesting to see the buildings where the workers lived and to tour the actual mill as well as learn about the history of making silk and exporting it here in Japan.  After, we went to some temple grounds near the mill where the wealthy families used to worship.  It was ridiculously quiet and peaceful.  We did catch the end of a ritual happening and as we went to leave the priest came out to the parking lot with a woman and then blessed her car.  At least, we thought it was that.  I've never seen something like that happen and I was so happy that we were there to watch it.  

We decided to go to Mt. Myogi and Nakanotake Shrine after the mill.  We were so exhausted from all the adventuring in the heat and wall the walking from the week that we were hoping for a relaxing day of site seeing.  We ended up failing in our goal because at Nakanotake Shrine (the jolly fat, golden statue) we ended up climbing up a big, steep wall of stairs and then once at the top we decided to try and do a leisurely walk on the path but we must have misinterpreted the map because we ended up climbing Mt. Myogi!  It was steep and we needed to use the ropes to pull us up the trail.  I was grateful to have the experience with Mike.  I like hiking and I like a physical challenge.  We couldn't help but giggle at the irony of our plan to have a relaxing day that ended up with us climbing a mountain.  We were the only ones on the trail so it was quiet and peaceful. The view at the top was beautiful and as cheesy as it sounds, it felt appropriate to stop and say a prayer together over our marriage (since it was our anniversary trip) out of gratitude for the twenty years we've spent together doing hard things, laughing, growing together, and loving each other.