Kumano Kodo Trail

The Kumano Kodo is an ancient network of roads dating back over a thousand years, running through the mountainous interior of the Kii Peninsula south of Osaka. It connects historic shrines and temples of deep spiritual significance. The whole trail is hundreds of miles long. We travelled the Nakahechi Road from Tanabe to Shingu, taking in the three great shrines Hongu, Nachi Taisha and Hayatama Taisha. There are also numerous 'oji' or sub-shrines as well as rest stops and ruins of ancient teahouses. Pilgrimages were made by emperors, nobility and ordinary people including some women as it was one of the few things that they were allowed to leave their houses for. The trail runs though forested mountainside with occasional viewpoints. The walk was beautiful, and incredibly atmospheric with the moss covered boulders and ancient paving creating a real sense of almost prehistoric spirituality.