Tokyo

The Next Adventure

I'm getting very excited about the upcoming vacation, and not only because I'll be anywhere but in work! Through some strategic vacation requests, I've connected several state holidays to get myself 12 days free starting next week. The weather has turned friendly, and I've been itching to make another walking trip, perhaps not so extreme as the previous such trip in CZ (and hopefully without the limping and pressure and what not). I was going to walk from Nara to Ise, which is about 100 km through slightly mountainous country. Ise is the most important Shinto shrine in Japan, and I see it referenced in all kinds of novels and histories, and it seems like something I should see. Making a "pilgrimage" from Nara, the ancient capital and spiritual heart of the country seemed especially appropriate. However, I was reminded by a friend that tourists can't actually see the shrines at Ise. Even today only the Imperial family is allowed access to the actual shrines, while everyone else has to be content with replicas outside. That seemed a little anti-climatic for a 4 day pilgrimage.
So I did a little research, and stumbled upon information about an ancient (over 1000 years old) pilgrimage route through the mountains of Wakayama prefecture (the prefecture to the south of my home). The path is still maintained, and it weaves through the mountains connecting 33 shrines and temples. There are campgrounds along the way, and many hikers even just find campsites for themselves wherever they want to stop. It sounds absolutely perfect and idyllic, especially now that I've found maps and won't be wandering through the rather inhospitable Japanese mountains. For more information and pictures check out this site: http://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo/index.html, or check back here in about three weeks!