Kumano Kodo Day 4
Departing the the guesthouse in the morning the owner was giving everyone these cute biscuits she made π
The goal for tomorrow was to get to the Kumano Nachi Taisha and waterfall but today it was just travelling from one small town to another.
Setting off I took the bus from Shimoyukawa to Shimoji Bashi Bus Stop.
Rejoining the route had me going around a few staircases behind homes.
Until I was back following the familiar route markers
By this point I my legs had started enjoying walking up the hills.
The Hyakken Gura Lookout at an elevation of 460m above sea level it looks out onto what the locals call the "3600 peaks of Kumano". A couple of days ago I visited the "village of fog" but it was super sunny. So I imagine this is more what it would have looked like.
I haven't mentioned that the Kumano Kodo has a stamp collecting aspect to it. These little huts contain a stamp and a red ink pad to log into your book. They stretch along the multiple branches and paths giving you a sequence of stamps for your journey. It was really nice to stumble upon a rest area and collect another stamp!
The only dubious part of the whole trip was this section where it looked like part of the path had slid down, it wasn't dangerous but really shows the power of rain.
Dotted the route are these stones with poetry on it. I'll come back to it one day when my reading is better and translate it! π
Along this section of the route, there were signs indicating they were sectors managed by logging companies. It's clear to see there's a cycle of planting and chopping down trees as well how the landscape is managed to slow down and guide rainwater.
It was surprising was how varied the plants were day to day.
I arrived at the Kowase rest stop in this small quiet town. Where the Kumano Kodo continued in one direction and my hotel for the night was in the opposite. So the plan was to walk there (As the next bus was 2 hours away) and then take a bus back tomorrow morning.
Following the road there was this tunnel through the mountain.
It was surprisingly pleasant walking through the tunnel, surprisingly nice engineering
According to the sign ι·δΊγγ³γγ« (Nagai Tunnel) was built in October 1998, 549 metres long, 4.7m tall and 7 metres across.
Turned up at my destination for the night Kumanogawacho (ηιε·ηΊ) a very small town.
This building is a Junior High School, and it was surprising to read on their website that they have only 16 students.
The guesthouse didn't have a shower instead I got a ticket for the nearby hot spring bath Kumanogawa Onsen Satsuki. It was a pretty pleasant place, and I chatted a local man that travelled 2 hours to have a dip in the outdoor hot spring.
Links:
- Koguchi Line Bus Timetable
- Kumanogawa Onsen Satsuki
- Sansaro Bed and Breakfast