First night on the Kumano Kodo in a cute little lodge. I got so lucky to have found this place to sleep yesterday. Remember Kumano Kodo has very few accomodations along the way so make sure to make booking long time in advance (some lodges were booked 3 month in advance !! It’s cray right). I have made a booking for tonight so I’m safe , I can hike with a peace of mind.
Exploring this “run down” camping in the morning was great. At night I didnt got to realise how beautiful was the surrounding.
River next to my lodge.
After a healthy Japanese breakfast it was already time to move on. I made sure I ate a lot because I was not sure about finding food along the way. I had so much trekking today. It’s about 25km which feels insane to me. Many people will skip some parts of the trek by using buses and of course I have missed thoses buses as their are pretty early and also very few.
But there is always a solution. It’s called hitchhiking. Just smile and ask for a ride to a stranger 🙂
I got picked up after 10 second. This saved me 4km which is always nice. 21 to go !
Back on the unpaved hiking trail now.
Some parts of the trek will be on tiny roads but most of it is in nature. Anywhere you’ll go it’s all quiet. I have not met so many hikers along the way either.
Going up to catch some sweet views. Some parts of the trail aren’t that easy. Especially if you choose to keep your heavy backpack like I did. I could already starting feeling my shoulders hurting. It was a mistake to carry my “6 weeks journey backpack” for this trek. In Japan there is this amazing system called “Takyubin” which allow you to send luggage (or parcel) from place A to place B. I have met trekkers that done that. It’s actually smart as it allow you to enjoy more deeply the experience.
Going throught many forests. Alone in that pristeen nature. The Kumano Kodo feels like a spiritual journey. It allows you to reconnect deeply with your inner self. Forget about the crazy Neon of Tokyo, this is simple and pure Nature. My journey in Japan is changing shapes slowly but surely. The all dynamic of it changes and this feels great. This make me realize how important it is to take the time to recconect with that nature. How healing this can be. It feels like digesting the last intense 3 weeks I had.
More stairs.
The few people I have met along the trail were wonderful. The connections I shared with them gave me more energy each time. I really needed that energy. After a few hours trekking I felt pretty tired. I had almost no food with me and of course there were no place to get food. Luckily some Finland people shared a packet of biscuit with me. This was the highlight of my day! Simple things become so valuable when you are in raw nature. A beautiful reminder. Never take things for granted.
Trekking the last 9km with two new Japanese friends. I’m so gratefull I have met theses guys. This gave me the last drop of motivation I needed to complete that day. They spoke almost no English like my Japanese but this is not important. It’s all about feelings at the end.
Tea plantations along the way. You could buy loose tea leaf directly from the producer. At that point we were 4km from the Hongu Taisha Shrine. Reaching the end of our day.
The dream team during the last sunbeams of the day.
We made it ! 21 km later …
The Kumano Kodo emblem at the Hongu Taisha Shrine.
Man at the end of that day I was destroyed. I have push myself to the limit. But this was so much fun. The Kumano Kodo is a very human experience that is allowing you to unwind slowly. Sometimes you get to realize some inner truths. Yes it’s hard sometimes but this is the way it is. If you accept to feel bad you will end up attracting positive people that will help you reaching your goals.
I have reach the Yunomine village. A very special place with natural hot springs everywhere. Time to celebrate at the J-Hoppers guesthouse. Not sure about hiking tomorrow. I can see myself stopping and recharge in thoses natural Onsen.
See you for the next episode in Yusomine Onsen !
Take care people.
Oyasumi
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