KUMANO TRAVEL

 Description

This ~7 km walk is a mix of tranquil mountain top villages and forested trails with panoramic views along the way.  It is mostly downhill with a few short inclines.  The walk begins at the Hosshinmon-oji, one of the most important sites on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route marking the outermost entrance into the divine precincts the Kumano Hongu Taisha.  Hosshinmon-oji is an important spiritual landmark or gate. “Hosshin” means “spiritual awakening” or “aspiration to enlightenment” and “mon” means “gate”. Passage through this gate was a transformational rite marking initiatory death and rebirth in the Pure Land paradise.  

From this small shrine the trail goes through the sleepy Hosshimon settlement before entering the forest at Mizunomi-oji.  You emerge in the next village called Fushiogami and walk the length of the village to Fushiogami-oji, with its view point into the valley below and Oyunohara.   This is the first point that pilgrims can see their divine goal, the Kumano Hongu Taisha.  There is a toilet here and a small tea house run by local ladies (variably closed).  It is very interesting to see the remote mountain lifestyle in these settlements.

The last half of the walk is in the forest with some viewpoints and ancient cobblestone sections of the trail.  The tour finishes with a visit to the austere Grand Shrine, Kumano Hongu Taisha.  After the tour it is common to continue to nearby Oyunohara, former shrine ground, and the world’s largest Torii gate, to conclude your walk.