Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Day 1

I began my day by making my way from Osaka to Kii-Tanabe, about a three hour train ride, from where I'd catch a bus the remainder of the way to the Takiri-Oji shrine, the beginning of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail.

Kii-Tanabe station

In line for the bus

More of a travel bus than local bus

After some forty minutes the bus arrived at the Takijiri bus stop. Only two others got off at the same time as me, the rest most likely going on directly to the Kumano shrines that would await me at the end of my journey.

Takijiri bus stop. The trail begins just over the bridge

I made my way across the bridge to the Takijiri-Oji shrine, at the base of the nearby mountain, which marked the beginning of the Kumano Kodo trail.

Takijiri-Oji shrine

Before starting my trek through the mountains I made sure to get the Takijiri-Oji stamp in my Kudamo Kodo stamp booklet to mark the beginning of my pilgrimage. There would be more such stamps at key locations along the way.

The Takijiri-Oji stamp

Now that I got my Takijiri-Oji stamp it was time to be on my way. Today's portion of the trail wouldn't be very long as most of the morning was spent travelling by train and bus to the trail itself. It would then only be a 3.7km hike to Takahara where I would be staying my first night.

For the most part the trail was well established and easy to follow. At no point did I accidentally go off the trail or wonder which way I was suppose to go. At points where the trail wasn't as easily distinguishable their were signs to guide you in the right direction. Any fears I might get lost on the mountain while doing the pilgrimage were dispersed.

Jizo statues protecting travellers

Mountaintop lookout

After just a couple hours the dirt path gave way to paved road and I reach the settlement of Takahara.

The entrance to Takahara by the Kumano Kodo

In the centre of the village was the shrine with it's namesake, the Takaharakumano shrine. After getting my final stamp for the day it was time to find where I would be staying tonight.

Using the guidebook I got from the tourist information centre in Kii-Tanabe and with a bit of help from google maps (yes my pocket wifi still got reception out here) I managed to find where I was staying easily.

The house I'd be staying at

After checking in and being greeted by the lovely old lady who owns the house I went to my room to get settled in and rest a bit before supper.

Classic Japanese futon

Supper was served in the kitchen, a quintessential Japanese meal, consisting of rice, vegetables, fish and miso soup, made with obvious care by the owner of the house themselves. Once I finished my meal I headed back to my room to pack it in early and get prepared for day two of the pilgrimage.