Tag: wakayama
The Famed Oto Fire Festival of Wakayama Prefecture
Men of all ages – dressed in white with a thick rope tied around their waist – congregate at the shrine carrying wooden torches.
At Kamikura Shrine in Shingu city, every year on February 6, the Wakayama Oto...
Awashima Shrine: Kada’s Hall of a Thousand Eyes
Hidden away in the sleepy port town of Kada lies an unsettling secret...
Okuno-in: Kōyasan’s Pathway Through Time
A line of Buddhist monks walk the stone path of Okuno-in.
In the footsteps of Kobo Daishi.
Deep in the mountains of Wakayama prefecture, shrouded by a rolling sea of dark-hued cedar, lies a...
Tomogashima: Japan’s Forgotten Fortress
In the mood for something different?
Japan is widely accepted as a destination that can offer something for everyone, from the rustic ancient capital city of Nara to the hyper-modern metropolis of Tokyo. The downside to its popularity is...
Things to do in Yunomine Onsen
Yunomine Onsen in Wakayama Prefecture
Japan, like other countries located in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, is volcanically active and prone to numerous earthquakes. The four tectonic plates underneath this island nation cause daily tremors and are responsible...
Visiting Nachisan and Kumano Nachi Taisha
While there are many religions in Japan, the two main contenders are Shintoism and Buddhism. Shintoism is Japan's indigenous religion which involves worshipping elements of nature, such as mountains and waterfalls. Followers have travelled around on spiritual...
The Pacific Ocean, a Pagoda and a Waterfall: Day 5 of Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route
The final day of the Kumano Kodo on the Ogumotori-goe path was bittersweet. On one hand, we were tired and keen to return to our own beds and clean clothes. On the other hand, we were used...
Teahouse Remains and Sweeping Views: Day 4 of the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route
Although the pilgrimage was technically complete at Hongu, we wanted the sense of accomplishment from hiking coast to coast. Therefore, we and two bus loads of hikers packed ourselves into a local bus from Yunomine Onsen to the Ukegawa Trailhead where we...
A Towering Torii Gate and The Grand Shrine: Day 3 of the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route
Tsugizakura oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha
Day three. The big one. Tsugizakura oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha. From our accommodation in Nonaka, we were facing a 23km journey to Yunomine Onsen via Hongu. With...
Monkeys and Ancient Cedar Trees on the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route: Day 2
Takahara to Tsugizakura-oji
The Takahara to Tsugizakura-oji day is the first real taste of the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route hike. This stretch is around 13km with a total elevation gain of 830m and total...
