The Kii Peninsula
Karryon
List
Yoshino Kumano National Park, Nara
Dorokyo, located within Yoshino-Kumano National Park, is a large gorge that is bordered by Wakayama, Mie and Nara prefectures. Beginning upstream it is divided into the areas of Oku-Doro, Kami-Doro and Shimo-Doro, and the spectacular scenery of huge and unusually shaped rocks of both banks reveals an ethereal world. The cliffs that loom over Dorokyo Gorge show how the Kii Peninsula itself was formed through repeated upheavals and erosion. Dorokyo is also known as Tamaki Shrine’s “Mitarashi Pond”, and is said to have been the place where people would perform misogi purifications before praying at the shrine. The Dorokyo Gorge River Boat Cruise (Dorokyo Kanko Kawasemi) offers spectacular views of the gorge from the river on a traditional riverboat that departs from several different spots. Doro Hotel, which stands on a cliff 15 metres above the water, also offers canoeing, fishing and cycling experiences that allow visitors to experience the nature of Dorokyo Gorge in a variety of ways.
Kinpusenji Temple, Nara
Yoshino in Nara Prefecture is famous for its Japanese cedar and cherry trees. Located at the northern end of the Omine mountain range that stretches over 150 kilometres from Nara Prefecture to Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture and surrounded by deep, rugged mountains, this area has been called the "land of the gods" since antiquity and is one of the centers of Japanese religion. Indeed, even today, Shugendo, a Japanese mountain asceticism that blends Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist concepts, is alive and well, with the faithful continuing to practice and pray in the midst of nature. This special cultural tour takes participants to Kinpusenji, the head temple of Shugendo, and its main hall, Zaodo, which is located midway up the slopes of Mt. Yoshino. There, a monk with experience practicing Shugendo at the temple will introduce you to the faith observed there since ancient times. A two-day trip to Nara, Japan's former capital, visiting many national treasures and experiencing Japanese spiritual culture at the fundamental dojo of Shugendo. Tour highlights: ● A special tour of the World Heritage site of Kinpusenji Temple by a priest who has undergone rigorous training in Shugendo. ● Visit and worship at some of Japan’s most famous temples, and participate in morning prayers with the monks. ● Experience the charm of Nara’s famous products such as soy sauce, washi paper, and Yoshino cedar.
Omine Okugakemichi Trail Tour, Nara
Yoshino/Omine: a mysterious land that regenerates the soul. In spring, about 30,000 cherry trees blossom in the mountain temple district of Yoshinoyama – literally “The Mountains of Yoshino” - which is a famous location for Shugendo, a form of extreme ascetic practice in the mountains undertaken by Yamabushi (Shugendo practitioners). Yoshinoyama is home to many shrines and temples, including Kinpusen-ji Temple, where Yamabushi from all over the country gather as part of their journey along the Omine Okugakemichi Pilgrimage Route. The mountain range from Yoshino to Kumano, where these strict ascetic practices are performed, is collectively referred to as "Ominesan", and includes Mt. Omine. Practitioners walk these ancient paths of faith to seek salvation for themselves and others through the process of gaining mystical powers via continuous training in the natural environment of the mountains. An ancient prohibition on the engagement of women in these practices at Mt. Omine still holds, according to religious traditions, but in fact it is only one portion of the trail that is off-bounds for women. Today, as in the past, these mountaineering monks continue to traverse these mountains in order to engage in contemplation of themselves and to regenerate their souls. From the Hanayagura Observatory, the highest observatory on Yoshinoyama, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the town of Yoshinoyama and the mountain areas below of the Ryumon, Katsuragi, and Kongo. Omine Okugakemichi is a path for ascetic training for the practitioners of Shugendo, and is said to have been established by the founder of Shugendo, En no Gyoja, at the beginning of the 8th century. It starts and ends at Yoshinoyama in the north, and is the most demanding of all Shugendo ascetic practices: it is a walk of 170 km to Kumano along the ridges of mountains close to 2000m in altitude, including Sankamigadake, Yayama, Hachikyogadake and Shakagadake. This practice is called Okugake Shugyo and involves walking up cliffs and across valleys for many days. This 3-day/2-night tour allows you to experience the spirit of the Japanese people by walking with a guide along a 15km section of the Omine Okugakemichi.
Kumano Kodo Trekking, Wakayama
The Kumano Kodo is one of only two pilgrimage routes globally designated as World Heritage Sites. It has a long history which stretches back over a thousand years. The Kumano Sanzan (literally, “Three Mountains of Kumano”), part of this route consists of three holy sites which are sources of nature worship and are home to huge rocks, trees, waterfalls, and rivers. One can walk along the pilgrimage routes around these sites while enjoying the many historical landmarks and stone Buddhist images that still remain there. Several walking routes are available according to preference. For the past ten centuries, people from all levels of society have journeyed along various pilgrimage routes through the tranquil Kii Mountains, following to the revered Kumano Sanzan Shrines. Kumano Kodo is not, in fact, a single route: a number of routes are known collectively as the Kumano Kodo. The seven main routes are the Nakahechi (the main route), Ohechi, Kohechi, Iseji, the Choishi-michi Route (which links the sacred Shingon Buddhist Koyasan to the Kumano Shrines), and the Yoshino & Omine route, an isolated and treacherous mountain trail reserved for spiritual ascetic practices by the Shugendo sect. This one is recommended for expert hikers only. In 2004, the majority of the routes – excluding a modern route called the Kii-ji – were designated collectively as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Nakahechi route begins at Tanabe on the western coast of the Kii Peninsula and runs eastward into the mountains toward the Kumano grand shrines. The most popular route for pilgrims from western Japan this route was extensively used by the imperial family on pilgrimage from Kyoto from as early as the 10th century. The Kohechi route, on the other hand, cuts through the centre of the Kii Peninsula from north to south, linking the Buddhist temple complex of Koyasan to the Kumano Sanzan. It is characterized by steep trails that cross over three passes of over 1000 metres elevation along its 70 km length. The Ohechi route runs south from Tanabe along the coast to Fudarakusan-ji Temple. The views from the well-preserved passes offer expansive scenic vistas over the Pacific Ocean. During the Edo period (1603-1868), this route was used for both worship and sightseeing, and the beautiful landscape attracted many writers and artists. Finally, the Kii-ji route leads from Osaka to Tanabe in the western part of Wakayama Prefecture. It is the pilgrimage trail historically used by emperors walking from the cities of Asuka and Nara, where the courts resided, even before the Kumano faith became widespread.
Okuno-in Temple, Wakayama
Okuno-in is one of the two sacred sites on Koyasan, along with Danjo Garan. This is the inner sanctum where the mausoleum of Kukai (locally known as “Kobo Daishi” or “Master of the Transmission of the Buddhist Teachings”) is located. In 835 Kukai entered into a meditative state in a cave at Okuno-in where he has remained since in - it is believed - “eternal meditation”. The path leading through a deep forest towering with cedar trees to the mausoleum is lined on both sides with thousands of moss-covered memorial towers, tombstones, and Buddhist statues. For centuries, devotees of Koyasan have wanted their remains entombed in close proximity to Kukai, and those of aristocrats, samurai warriors, monks, and ordinary people are found here. That Kukai is still alive and continues to save people as a Buddhist leader is an aspect of the faith surrounding Koyasan that has continued up to the present day. In connection with this, the founder is offered two meals a day in a ritual called “Shojingu” at 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., during which designated monks ceremonially carry a special chest of food over a bridge that leads into the area demarcated as the most sacred in all of Koyasan. The ritual is carried out with great solemnity and, given the strict secrecy that surrounds much of the tradition of tantric Buddhism in Japan, witnessing this display of testament to a 1200 year old faith is a truly privileged opportunity and a unique experience.
Hidden Walk - Nachi Waterfall, Wakayama
Focusing on waterfalls, a guide will lead a walk through sacred World Heritage sites to which entry is normally prohibited. The Nachi waterfall is not only an impressive and beautiful sight, streaming down through the lush mountains, it is also celebrated in art and literature and highly significant in the spiritual beliefs around nature in Japan. Within the “Nachi Primeval Forest” there are many waterfalls including the Nachi waterfall. These are known as the “48 Waterfalls of Nachi” and have long been used as sites of practice for the ascetic Shugendo monks. Following a walk to the Nachi waterfall, which is also known as "Ichi-no-taki“ (“The First Waterfall”), the guide will lead you to two other protected World Heritage waterfalls - "Ni-no-taki" and "San-no-taki."
