There was nothing but the sound of a waterfall, the wind in the trees, and our steps on the the rock as we climbed up the forested mountainside to Yamadera, a temple built close to the sky.
The last of the winter snow hugged the temple buildings, and the sun peeped through the clouds.
Up and up and up we climbed, hundreds of steps, thousands of breaths, drinking in fresh air and carrying big smiles.
We passed ornamental stone creations adorned with paper fortunes.
We met this little fella, and stopped for a chat.
On this weekday afternoon the place was deserted, and we were left free to climb and roam, and claim this wooden platform as our own. From high up on the rocks we stared out over the valley and soaked up the silence.
I love this place.
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