JAPAN

Kumano Kodo – 1

WE TAKE TO THE HILLS

We traveled south from Kyoto by train and bus and we now would hike a section of the Kumano Kodo ancient trail that centuries ago was traveled as a spiritual pilgrimage by Emperors. Today the Kiumano Kodo is a UNESCO World Heritage trail and a pilgrimage route for people from all over the world.

We hiked from Takijiri-oji to Takahara up a 1,200 feet ascent much of which were steep steps, hard for Jojo, who had to rely on Mitch to shove her up from behind.

We looked back to see how far we had come.

Along the Kumano Koda trail are many shrines where you can stop to rest and pay your respects. You toss a coin in the box, ring the bell, bow twice, clap twice and bow once again.

Prayers are optional.

We had gotten our shrine passports so we were able to begin collecting our goshuin (passport stamps).

This is an earlier photo from the day before of Mitch standing on the Kiotaki River bridge made of concrete fashioned to look like bamboo. This picture should have been in the previous post.

We stopped at the nearly 1000 year old camphor tree. It is magnificent and carries the white cut out paper symbol (similar to a lightning bolt) identifying the tree as sacred.

We arrived at the charming Kiri-no-sato Inn in Takahara as the sun was setting.

Famished, we sat down to a delicious Spanish/Japanese fusion multi-course meal. A word about our guides Tomo and Yuki who are seen here at the far end of the table. They were knowledgeable, caring, and energetic. The tour was put together by Oku-Japan and was called “highlights of the Kumano-Kodo and Nakasendo Ancient trails.” Wonderful!

We bathed in the small gender separated onsen and donned our yukatas, provided by the ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). the room was a Japanese style tatami-mat room, which we found very comfortable.