Kumano-kodo trail(UNESCO)

●Prefecture: Wakayama, Nara, Mie

●Walking season: All year (JUL and AUG>> Hot because of the low altitude)

●Technical Level:★★★☆☆

●Highlights route for day trip: Around 17km,up and down 400-600m,8hours on Nakahechi route

“Teardrop on her face. Longing for Kumano” 
The 17th-century Japanese haiku master Basho actually never made it to the Kumano-Kodo himself. This is a lesser known haiku by the legendary poet, supposedly drafted in empathy for a young woman who he encountered along his journey through out Japan, during which many of his master pieces were created. 

Roots to the ancient Shinto religion, the Kumano-Kodo hide deep in the sacred mountains of the Kii-Peninsula. As far back as the 9th century, worshippers and aristocrats have traversed this densely forested region via a web of pilgrimage trails which connect the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto to the worship sites. The Nakahechi route, one of the five routes that comprise these trails commences from Tanabe then crosses over east towards the shrines. The most loved route by pilgrims from western Japan, has been the imperial family’s pilgrimage route of choice since the 10th century. 

Perhaps you might share a moment with Basho’s encounter as you approach the Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine, a graceful monument of ancient Japanese architecture, and the head shrine of over 3,000 Kumano shrines across Japan.

The Kumano faith is rooted in the worship of the natural environment, in Shinto deities like ancient trees, and in waterfalls believed to be manifestations of Buddhist entities, making the Kumano Kodo a place that brings salvation to the pilgrims. As the old saying goes, ‘Those who seek, shall find’.

​