Kumano Kodō

Kumano Kodō 熊野古道 are several ancient pilgrimage routes leading to Kumano Hongū Taisha, the centre of the Kumano religion. The religious significance of the Kumano region goes back to prehistoric times and therefore predates all modern religions in Japan. The area was, and still is, considered a place of physical healing.

In Mid-May, I walked the Kohechi trail 小辺路 and then to the waterfall of Nachi.
Walking roughly 100 km through the inland of the Kii peninsula was a wonderful way to experience the heart of the Japanese landscape: up and down the steep hills, through hinoki forests, with only brief sights of the horizon. Amazing plants, a Buddha statue or a haiku stele here and there. The memory of thousands of pilgrims of the past days, remainders of ancient teahouses, overgrown by forest. But the path is well kept.