Kumano kodo pilgrimage routes guide japanvisitor japan travel. Hongu taisha is the major shrine on the kumano kodo, the holy of holies, if you will. Jan 27, 2015 kumano hongu taisha, one of the three kumano shrines. The kumano kodo walk is more than a hike, its a pilgrimage. History of the kumano kodo part 2 of the kumano kodo series. As mentioned above, the kumano kodo is and has been for many centuries a spiritual pilgrimage, and as such, the path is dotted with various shrines, burial grounds, remains of former tea houses, and milestones of all sorts, each with its own character and history. It was an amazing trip and would highly recommend it. Kumano hongu taisha, one of the three kumano shrines. This itinerary is based around two full day walks on the nakahechi route of the kumano kodo from takijiri kumano hongu taisha, with an overnight in tanabe city before the.
The weather does vary quite dramatically depending on when you choose to go. Then you will enjoy reading this book about the kumano kodo, thousandyearold. The kumano kodo pilgrimage the west end magazine 4101. Deep in rural wakayama prefecture but just a few hours south of kyoto and osaka the unescorecognized kumano region is filled with spirituality and history, as well as beautiful landscapes, charming villages, hiking, and onsen hot springs note. Jun 29, 2012 takijiri oji to takahara, takahara to nonaka, bus to hongu taisha typhoon broke trail,yunomine, kyoto. It chronicles eight days of walking on the kumano kodo. Kumano is centered around three shrines, hongu taisha, nachi taisha and hayatama taisha, collectively known as the kumano sanzan. Walk kumano kodo notes and tips on walking the kumano kodo. History of the kumano kodo part 2 of the kumano kodo series kumano has been considered a sacred area since prehistoric times. Kumano kodo highlights samuari tours brochure 2020. This video is an overview of the shrine grounds, including symbols such. On smallgroup guided tours with oku japan, your guide takes care of luggage arrangements for you. While a few of the original trails no longer remain, five have been well preserved and may be accessed by travelers. Trek the ancient pilgrimage route, the kumano kodo trail now forms a unesco world heritage site.
From isejingu shrineise city to tamarutamakicho town, where is the starting point of kumano kodoold kumanokaido road. Kumano kodo kinki all you need to know before you go. Takijiri oji to takahara, takahara to nonaka, bus to hongu taisha typhoon broke trail,yunomine, kyoto. Already during the preparation period back home in amsterdam for our onemonth trip japan, the 4days trail through japanese nature.
Aug 07, 20 as mentioned above, the kumano kodo is and has been for many centuries a spiritual pilgrimage, and as such, the path is dotted with various shrines, burial grounds, remains of former tea houses, and milestones of all sorts, each with its own character and history. This audio guide was designed to decipher this spiritual landscape while walking the kumano kodo pilgrimage route. The town has a history of over 1200 years and in 2004 unesco designated koyasan as a world heritage site. On tour, we send larger items of luggage ahead by takkyubin courier to make our longdistance transfers by bus and train more relaxed. Refreshed and ready for more, i continued on to kumano hongu taisha, the grand shrine and central point of the kumano kodo. This service is prebooked and prepaid through oku japan.
Do you enjoy thousand years old historical and cultural temples and shrines. Kumano kodo trail walk only walking holidays in japan. Koya bound is a book of photographs produced by craig mod and dan rubin in 2016. My understanding is that the highs hit about 50f on the warmest part of the trail and the lows get to mid 30s at night. The kumano kodo official guide book is the ultimate resource. The mountains, forests and streams are a place of worship for followers of shinto since ancient times. Since ancient times this lush and rugged environment has nurtured a profound form of nature worship in which mountains, rocks. They say life is often about the journey more than the destination, and although kumano hongu taisha was impressive in an understated kind of way, i would say that the journey to get there impressed me even more. Kumano is located south of yoshino, honored as a sacred place where the gods have lived since ancient times. Then you will enjoy reading this 376 pages book about the kumano kodo.
At the beginning of our kumano kodo walk, we will give out booklets in which stamps available at ojis along the way can be placed as a record of having walked the kumano kodo. The kumano kodos rugged, forested mountains, quiet rural valleys, rivers and waterfalls provide a spectacular backdrop for hikers. Takijirioji is a very important spot on the kumano kodo pilgrimage route and one of the five major oji shrines. While this is considered to be the easiest of all kumano kodo trails, proper planning and equipment are absolutely necessary. The world heritage cultural landscape of kumano is a rich and complex sacred site in the southern portion of the kii peninsula.
We had not quite realized it before we came but it is the most sacred shinto pilgrimage in japan. The kumano kodo pilgrimage route is one of japans most enchanting walks. Kumano kodo mar 2016 japan lonely planet forum thorn tree. Introduction to kumano kodo pilgrimage route boutique japan. The kumano kodo is a journey through buddhist history and offers a window into traditional japan that contrasts strongly with its hypermodern cities. Kumano kodo guides is dedicated to taking you here. Kumano kodo walking tours japan walking holidays raw. Perhaps the easiest of the trails to hike is the nakahechi. Kumano kodo is the name of a hiking route made up of seven trails that snake through the kii mountain range in japans wakayama prefecture. Two friends and i did the kumano kodo 5 night self guided trek in may this year.
I alighted at kii tanabe station to hike the kumano kodo, a wooded trail through japans spiritual heartland in wakayama prefecture that leads to the three grand shrines of. Centred on three shintobuddhist shrines known as the kumano sanzan, the ancient trails blend great hiking and exceptional natural beauty with a unique insight into japans rich history, culture and spirituality. Pilgrim pack kumano travel community reservation system. Pilgrims have traveled to the kumano sanzan via walking trails, called kumano kodo, for over years. There are many sections of the ancient pilgrimage route throughout mie and wakayama but there is only one kumano city. Kumano kodo trail walk only selfguided walking tour. Kumano kodo guide unfairly singled out the japan times. Guidebook to walking japans ancient kumano kodo pilgrimage trails, covering the nakahechi, kohechi and.
Guidebook to japans kumano kodo, a series of unescolisted pilgrimage routes that crisscross the mountainous kii peninsula, south of osaka. O ur gay couple pilgrimage japan kumano kodo part 1 after our first days in tokyo, we seriously wanted to go to our limits when making a pilgrimage in japan on the famous traditional kumano kodo route from ki tanabe to nachi through the wakayama mountains. These sacred trails were and are used for the pilgrimage to the sacred site kumano sanzan. Walk the kumano kodo trail, experience traditional japanese accommodation and explore cultural kyoto and historic mount koya on this small group guided holiday and tour. Nakahechi, the most sacred of the kumanos seven trails, was developed in the 10th century and connects three grand shrines known collectively as the kumano sanzan. The kumano kodo is a network of ancient pilgrimage trails linking the former capitals of kyoto and nara to three sacred sites in the mountainous, rugged and exceptionally scenic kii peninsula. Looking at this from a walking perspective, not taking into account its history and the religious relevance that cannot be argued, its prety boring. For clients who prefer to have access to their main luggage each night, we now offer daily luggage transfer on the nakahechi portion of the kumano kodo trail, and for a portion of the nakasendo trail for a supplement. Dan and craig produced a companion website with walking data and diary entries and an interactive map that used to live at this current page.
This trail winds through hills, forests, and villages. As you can see by the inset map it is about 100 km south. Augustseptember is the peak of the typhoon season in japan and there is a potential risk of. Then you will enjoy reading this 376 pages book about the kumano kodo, thousandyearold pilgrimage trails in the kii mountains of japan. The stamped booklet can also serve as evidence of having walked the kumano kodo for anyone who wishes to become a dual pilgrim i.
Nakahechi, the most sacred of the kumanos seven trails, was developed in the 10th century and connects three grand shrines known collectively as. Emperors and their consorts would progress from far away kyoto to. History of the kumano kodo part 2 of the kumano kodo. Our kumano kodo selfguided tours offer 4, 5, or 6 days walking village to village along this old pilgrimage route heading west to east along the kiipeninsula. History of the kumano kodo part 2 of the kumano kodo series kumano has been considered a sacred area.
During the heian dynasty it became an imperial way. Hongu taisha, hayatama taisha and nachi taisha in the kumano area. Best time to trek the kumano kodo japan raw travel. Dec 17, 2017 kumano kodo nakahechi route a 5 day walk background and history kumano is the ancient name for the southern region of the kii peninsula a sacred site steeped in mystery and legend. The hilly area of the kii peninsula is covered with temperate rain forest and sparsely populated. To downplay this fact is to misrepresent the nature of the kumano entirely. Pitt traveljapan packages in sydney organised our nightly accommodation but the walk side of it we did by ourselves. Through this trail you walk on paved raod, but you can enjoy history of ise city by shrines and temples on the roadside. Kumano kodos nakahechi trail tanabe, wakayama japan. It is here that the passage into the sacred mountains. Kumano kodo trail, walk kumano kodo pilgrimage trail. Kumano kodo is a spiritual pilgrimage if one chooses to walk in the spirit of the thousand yearold tradition. The only english kumano kodo travel guide for pilgrimage.
The kumano kodo, or kumano ancient trail, is a pilgrimage route to kumano, part of the mountainous kii peninsula which stretches south from the kansai cities of osaka, nara and kyoto. Japans kumano kodo pilgrimage the west end magazine. There are a limited number of accommodations so its vital to have a secured booking. Solo hiking in japan hiking the kumano kodo japans. Oct 23, 2017 the kumano hongu taisha is one of the three grand shrines of kumano and a destination on the kumano kodo pilgrimage routes. The kumano kodo nakahechi official guide book is the ultimate pilgrims resource. Our small operation of professional, bilingual, bornandraisedinjapan mountain guides are committed to providing you with a unique, culturally immersive experience in this beautiful region of japan. I used this guidebook to prepare for my recent kumano kodo walk and also while i was on the trail.
The only english kumano kodo travel guide for pilgrimage in japan. The shrines are even older, with mention in japans founding mythology. History, culture, festivals, legends, itineraries, cuisine, nature. Jul 22, 2017 i alighted at kii tanabe station to hike the kumano kodo, a wooded trail through japans spiritual heartland in wakayama prefecture that leads to the three grand shrines of kumano. Kumano kodo is the pilgrimage road that lead to kumano sanzan the three grand shrines of kumano. Kumano is a remote vacation location unspoiled by tourism and ripe with natural beauty. Be on the lookout for the yatagarasu, three leggedcrow, the symbol of kumano. Long a place of pilgrimage, the kii peninsula is the site of the three grand shrines of kumano kumano sanzan. Im planning a trip to japan that includes 3 nights on the kumano kodo.
On the nakahechi trail there is the option for luggage transfers as well, so you can relax. Koyasan is said to be the first place where buddhism and shintoism came together, to this day, it is an important destination for many and is visited from time to time by the imperial family. The kodo old ways are a key part of the regions unesco designation, and have been in use for over years. Walking the kumano kodo kumano kodo trail walking guide. Traditionally, some milestones, called ichirizuka, showed the way and a number of them can still be seen along the nakahechi trail. The kumano hongu taisha is one of the three grand shrines of kumano and a destination on the kumano kodo pilgrimage routes. It is for those interested in delving deeper into the unique mountain culture. Deep in rural wakayama prefecture but just a few hours south of kyoto and osaka the unescorecognized kumano region is filled with spirituality and history, as well as beautiful landscapes, charming villages, hiking, and onsen hot springs. Chavez made the shortsighted error in judgement of using the limited availability of the new official guide book published by tanabe city.
A version of this post originally appeared in postcards from. Kumano kodo walking tours japan walking holidays raw travel. As long as you have walked at least this part of the kumano kodo, the trail from takijiri to hongu taisha or some other sections, you can count yourself as a pilgrim. About kumano kodo walking tours kumano kodo koyasan. We will follow in the footsteps of those ancient pilgrims from kyoto as we trace the history and heritage of the kumano pilgrimage. This itinerary is based around two full day walks on the nakahechi route of the kumano kodo from takijiri kumano hongu taisha, with an overnight in tanabe city before the walk, and one yunomine onsen after the walk. Kumano hongu taisha, kumano nachi taisha and kumano hayatama taisha. An amulet with this sacred motif is a common souvenir for pilgrims. L ocated south of osaka on the kii peninsula of japan, the kumano kodo trail system is one of only two unesco world heritage pilgrimage sites.
Kumano kodo official guide book tanabe city kumano tourism. The first and only authoritative, detailed and most complete english travel guide for 200km of trails, 16000m of altitude and 60hrs of hiking. Kumano kodo kinki 2020 all you need to know before you. Let me address certain parts of the article directly and share what i know about why the kumano kodo is a.
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