Kumano Kodo (熊野古道, Kumano Kodō) refers to a network of pilgrimage trails through the southern Kansai region. The Kodo ("old ways") are a key part of the region's UNESCOdesignation, and have been in use for over 1000 years. They are the only pilgrimage routes besides the Camino de Santiago to be designated a world heritage site.
The pilgrimage routes developed as a way for people to move between the sacred areas on the Kii Peninsula. At the center of this religious area are the three Kumano shrines: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha, collectively known as Kumano Sanzan.
By the 12th century, the Kumano Sanzan were well known shrines in Japan, drawing pilgrims from Kyoto, Osaka and beyond. More than just a means to reach the three shrines, the pilgrimage trails were designed to be a religious experience in themselves and often pass through difficult, even dangerous, mountain terrain. (Japan Guide)
The "Kiji" route runs along the west coast of the peninsula to the city of Tanabe where it forks into two: Nakahechi and Ohechi. The Nakahechi route leads into the rugged interior mountains toward Kumano Hongū Taisha and the Ohechi continues south along the coast. The Nakahechi route was the most popular for pilgrimages from Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. The earliest records of this route dates from the early 10th century. The trail has a long history of use by people with diverse belief backgrounds leading to mixed religious symbolism overlaid and incorporated into the setting and stages of the pilgrimage itself. (Wikipedia)
Today we took the train from kil-tanabe to Takajiri. This was our first leg of the Kumano Kodo Nakamechi route. It was a lot steeper than we expected.
The route is comprised of dense forests, mossy stones, tree roots which could be very treacherous in wet conditions.
Takijiri-OPI Shrines, one of the five most important Oji shrines.
We only encountered 5 other pilgrims the whole day.
It's totally zen, you pass many shrines throughout the day up the very steep inclines and dense forest.
But it's so beautiful and calming....
View from the top of Takahara
Now we are in the Organic Hotel in Takahara, looking forward to this dinner....
Took a photo of the starter (yellow tail, etc) but had so much sake with Annabel I forgot to photograph the next four courses of food!!!! Sorry! It was tempura, sukiyaki and venison.
Tomorrow is another day on the Kumado Kodo!
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