Aikido's Kumano Sacred Origins
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Ueshiba Morihei Memorial Hall
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Aikido Calligraphy experience
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Ueshiba Morihei Bronze Statue
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Ueshiba Morihei Gravesite
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Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route
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Hosshinmon-oji
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Fushiogami-oji
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Kumano Hongu Taisha
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Ryokan Adumaya
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Kumano Hayatama Taisha
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Osaki Brewery
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Kumano Juku Shingu Dojo
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Nachi-no-Taki
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Nachi-no-Taki
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Tokei-jinja
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Kozan-ji
Local Package Tours
Description
“I am a Child of Kumano”This is how Ueshiba Morihei, the founder of Aikido, referred to himself. This tour is the chance of a lifetime for any practitioner of Aikido, to train and visit sites where the founder was deeply connected to and moved by. It includes private training sessions including calligraphy writing at Tanabe Dojo, visits to his place of residence and gravesite, and a self-guided trip to the sacred shrines of Kumano and dramatic highlight walks along the Kumano Kodo. While touring the heart of Kumano’s spiritual origins, you can relax and purify your body and soul with soothing hot spring inns. An original self-guide book filled with information about Ueshiba Morihei and his connection to Kumano is included. Historic pictures allow you to follow the founder’s life and times in Kumano.
PRICE is based on:
1 person (1 single room)
2 people (1 twin)
3 people (1 twin, 1 single)
4 people (2 twins)
5 people (2 twins, 1 single)
◆ Notes ◆
● Itinerary changes, such as accommodation or lunch locations, may change depending on the time of year and availability.
● Guests are required to sign a waiver release form to participate in the Aikido training program in Tanabe.
Price
| Year-round (Except for Golden Week, Obon and New Year's holiday) | |
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1 persons
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2 persons
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3 persons
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4 persons
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5 persons
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Description
This Aikido/Kumano Kodo experience is best for those who have some background with Aikido and would like to delve deeper into Aikido’s spiritual origins.
The tour includes stays at a mixture of hotels and ryokan inns with hot springs.
Local guides enrich the experience.
| WHEN |
Year-round (Except for Golden Week, Obon and New Year's holiday) |
|---|---|
| STARTING/FINISHING POINT |
Start/Finish in Tanabe |
| ROUTE | Tanabe | Hongu | Yunomine Onsen | Shingu | Katsuura Onsen | Nachi | Tanabe |
| DURATION | 6 days & 5 nights |
| OVERNIGHT | Tanabe, Yunomine Onsen, Shingu, Katsuura Onsen, Tanabe |
| OVERALL LEVEL | Highlight |
| TYPE | Combination Guided/Self-guided (Guided Kumano Kodo walks available for extra) |
| DAILY LUGGAGE SHUTTLE | Day 2, 3, 4. |
| MAXIMUM GUESTS | 5 Guests |
| MINIMUM GUESTS | 1 Guests |
| GUIDE | Guide Day 1 & 5 (Kumano Kodo walking guides on request for extra fee) |
| RECOMMENDED FOR | Aikido enthusiasts wishing to train and visits sites along Kumano Kodo directly related to Ueshiba Morihei. |
INCLUDED
5 Nights of accommodation
2 Suppers, 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches
Daily luggage shuttles (1 piece per guest)
Exclusive KUMANO KODO bus pass
NOT INCLUDED
Transportation before or after the tour or other than travel with bus pass noted within tour.
Train tickets to Kii-Tanabe from Kii-Katsuura
Miscellaneous personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, shopping, etc.
Travel insurance (please purchase this before your trip)
NOTES
● The Kumano Kodo is a mountain trail with sections unpaved, uneven surfaces of dirt, roots and cobblestones. Please wear appropriate footwear.
● Dress appropriately for the season. More preparation information.
● Some accommodations have shared facilities such as hot-spring baths. Here is a detailed overview on how to take a Japanese bath.
● Tour itinerary may change depending on local circumstances and/or weather.
● Please meet for the tour at TANABE Tourist Information Center by 11:30 AM on Day 1.
Any questions? Contact us!
- DAY 1
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Transfer to Kii-Tanabe Station
Meet guide at TANABE Tourist Information Center.
Walking Tour: Visit Aikido sites in Tanabe
Aikido Training (taxi to/from)
Stay in Tanabe (Hotel) Western style room with ensuite toilet and bath.
========================================Day 1：Breakfast/× Lunch/〇 Supper/×
No daily luggage shuttles
- DAY 2
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Bus from Kii-Tanabe to Hongu
Bus from Hongu to Hosshinmon-oji
Walk Hosshimon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha (~7 km, ~3 hrs)
Visit Kumano Hongu Taisha and Oyunohara
Bus from Hongu to Yunomine Onsen (~15 min)
(OPTION) Walk Dainichi-goe from Hongu to Yunomine Onsen (~2 km, ~2 hrs)Stay in Yunomine Onsen (Ryokan), Japanese-style room with ensuite toilet and shared bath
========================================Day 2：Breakfast/〇 Lunch/〇 Supper/〇
Daily luggage shuttles (1 piece per guest) Tanabe accommodation→Yunomine accommodation
- DAY 3
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Bus from Hongu to Shingu
Visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Kamikura-jinja, etc
(Option) Evening Aikido Training in Shingu (Not included in official tour program, please contact on your own)
Stay in Shingu (Business Hotel), Western-style room with ensuite toilet and bath
========================================Day 3：Breakfast/〇 Lunch/× Supper/×
Daily luggage shuttles (1 piece per guest) Yunomine accommodation→Shingu accommodation
- DAY 4
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(Option) Morning Aikido Training in Shingu (Not included in official tour program, please contact on your own)
Bus from Shingu to Nachi Station
Visit Fudarakusan-ji
Bus from Nachi Station to Daimonzaka
Walk Daimon-zaka Slope to Kumano Nachi Taisha (~2.5 km, 2 hr)
Bus from Nachi-no-Taki-mae to Kii-Katsuura Station
Visit Katsuura
Stay in Katsuura, (Ryokan), Japanese-style room with ensuite toilet and bath
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Day 4：Breakfast/〇 Lunch/× Supper/〇
Daily luggage shuttles (1 piece per guest) Shingu accommodation→Katsuura accommodation
- DAY 5
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Train from Kii-Katsuura to Kii-Tanabe
Meet guide at TANABE Tourist Information Center
Walking Tour: Visit Aikido sites in Tanabe including purification ceremony at Tokei-jinja
Aikido Training (taxi to/from)
Stay in Tanabe (Business Hotel), Western-style room with ensuite toilet and bath
========================================Day 5：Breakfast/〇 Lunch/〇 Supper/×
No daily luggage shuttles
- DAY 6
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End of tour. Continue on to next destination.
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Day 6：Breakfast/〇 Lunch/× Supper/×
No daily luggage shuttles
Itinerary Map
Highlights
Train Aikido Tanabe Dojo with Junichi Gomita, 5th Dan
Junichi Gomita was born into an Aikido family whose parents both were practitioners and began his own Aikido training at an early age. His father is Seiji Gomita, who studied directly under Ueshiba Morihei and is head of the Aikido Tanabe Dojo.
Visit Sites associated with Ueshiba Morihei & Limited Edition Self-Guide Book
Ueshiba Morihei Memorial Hall, His former residence site, Bronze Statue, Gravesite, etc.
Walk Kumano Kodo
Ancient pilgrimage route network in the Kii mountains.
