Akagi Pass
Akagigoe is a route from Hosshinmon to Yunomine Hotsprings. In ancient times this route was not used, so there are no ojis along the route. Hikers can take this path for a nice hike along the mountain ridges leading to Yunomine Hotspring.
In the Edo era (1600-1868), pilgrims deviated from the more direct route from Hosshinmon to Kumano Hongu Taisha to take hotspring baths. They also did ritual purifications there before looping back to the Hongu Taisha shrine.
Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine (taisha) is one of the most popular walks along the Kumano Kodo. Visitors from all areas of Japan and many non-Japanese choose this course for the first time they walk in Kumano. There are few steep slopes, and it ends at Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine, one of the most important sacred shrines in Japan. Allow approximately four to five hours for a guided hike.Look down over the beautiful lush scenery of the Kumano River as it winds through the mountains from the viewing point a half hours walk from to the old site of the Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine. Experience the home of the ancient Japanese gods.
Gyuba-doji to Chikatsuyu-oji
Gyuba-doji is a short hike of about twenty minutes from the highway. There is a gentle slope up to the ex-emperor Kazan-in's statue. Descending on the other side of the hill towards Chikatsuyu-oji takes about fifteen minutes. There is a rest area with picnic tables halfway down the slope where the panarama of a beautiful, traditional rural village lies further down the slope.
Chikatsuyu-oji to Tsugizakura-oji
Continuing down the slope from Gyuba-doji to Chikatsuyu-oji, one gets glimpses of the beautiful rural countryside in the area.The area abounds in flowers blooming throughout most of the year. In some areas of the Kumano Kodo, the ancient paths have become modern highways. The path from Chikatsuyu winds upwards through stands of forests and
the old prefectural highway.The area is rich in history. Many of the houses are of old construction, and some traditional inns line the streets near Chikatsuyu-oji. An old temple in the area has statues of 33 Kannons from the Saigoku pilgrimage route.
Tsugizakura-oji is near the centuries-old one-sided cedar trees. Even on a bright, sunny day, the area at the base of the trees remain shrouded in shadows.
Kobiro-oji to Funatama Shrine
Kobiro-oji→Kumasegawa-oji→ Nakodo Chaya →Iwagami-oji→Jagata-jizo→Yukawa-oji→Funatama Jinja (Shrine)
Kobiro-oji to Kumasegawa-oji leads into the mountainous regions where there are few roads and little communication possible by cell phone. Nakodo Chaya to Funatama Shrine goes through a lonely section of woods going over two passes leading towards Hosshinmon. Hikers can choose to continue on to Hongu Taisha over the Hosshinmon route or the Akagi-goe (Akagi Pass) route.
Nakodo Chaya is a ruins of a tea house. Nakodo means "matchmaker" in Japanese. The name comes from the tea house's position in a valley between to mountain passes. One of the slopes leading to a pass is called Otoko-zaka meaning "Men's Slope," and the other is On'na-zaka
meaning "Women's Slope.
Hence the meeting place became "Matchmaker Tea House.
This section takes approximately four hours to hike a distance of approximately ten kilometers for hikers in good physical condition. It is a rigorous hike in the hot summer months, and it is a dangerous hike in the winter if there is snow or freezing conditions.
Kobiro-oji to Kumasegawa-oji leads into the mountainous regions where there are few roads and little communication possible by cell phone. Nakodo Chaya to Funatama Shrine goes through a lonely section of woods going over two passes leading towards Hosshinmon. Hikers can choose to continue on to Hongu Taisha over the Hosshinmon route or the Akagi-goe (Akagi Pass) route.
Nakodo Chaya is a ruins of a tea house. Nakodo means "matchmaker" in Japanese. The name comes from the tea house's position in a valley between to mountain passes. One of the slopes leading to a pass is called Otoko-zaka meaning "Men's Slope," and the other is On'na-zaka
meaning "Women's Slope.
Hence the meeting place became "Matchmaker Tea House.
This section takes approximately four hours to hike a distance of approximately ten kilometers for hikers in good physical condition. It is a rigorous hike in the hot summer months, and it is a dangerous hike in the winter if there is snow or freezing conditions.
Takijiri-oji to Takahara Kumano Shrine
Takijiri-oji→Chichi-iwa→Nezu-oji→Tsurugi-no-yama Kyozuka ruins→Lookout→Kumano Takahara Jinja (Shrine)
Takijiri-oji is one of the gotai-oji, the five most important oji shrines along the way. It is also important as the first oji along the Kumano Kodo leading into the sacred areas of the Kumano Sanzan.
There is an interpetive center across the road from Takijiri-oji, Kodo-kan. Relics from previous eras, interpretive diaramas, a help center, and pamplets detailing the various walking courses are available. A few are also in English.
Takijiri-oji to Takahara starts off with a climb straight up a mountain known as Tsurugi-no-yama, literally, sword mountain. It is a fairly steep ascent to the next oji, Nezu-oji. There are nice views as a few places along the way. The views from Takahara are beautiful enough to have inspired poets throughout the ages.
Kumano Takahara Jinja is the oldest shrine along the Nakahechi route. The camphor trees flanking either side of the shrine are inspiring for their size.
Times for this hike will vary greatly with the fitness of hikers. It should take two and a half hours without any breaks or guide explanations for very fit hikers. Allow an hour extra including break times and guiding.
Takijiri-oji is one of the gotai-oji, the five most important oji shrines along the way. It is also important as the first oji along the Kumano Kodo leading into the sacred areas of the Kumano Sanzan.
There is an interpetive center across the road from Takijiri-oji, Kodo-kan. Relics from previous eras, interpretive diaramas, a help center, and pamplets detailing the various walking courses are available. A few are also in English.
Takijiri-oji to Takahara starts off with a climb straight up a mountain known as Tsurugi-no-yama, literally, sword mountain. It is a fairly steep ascent to the next oji, Nezu-oji. There are nice views as a few places along the way. The views from Takahara are beautiful enough to have inspired poets throughout the ages.
Kumano Takahara Jinja is the oldest shrine along the Nakahechi route. The camphor trees flanking either side of the shrine are inspiring for their size.
Times for this hike will vary greatly with the fitness of hikers. It should take two and a half hours without any breaks or guide explanations for very fit hikers. Allow an hour extra including break times and guiding.
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