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The path (el camino)

We had a first go at the Kumano Kodo at the end of April. Enough to have the right of getting the official stamp.

But it was so great that we wanted more. So when we saw that there was a possible break to the rainy season we went for it. So on Sunday 3rd of July, off we went.

Early start, Korushio 3 train for Kii-Tanabe from Kyoto at 8-35. We got there at 11-15 and at 11-35 we jumped on the bus direction Shingu. Off at Gyuba-doji-mae, roughly at 12-40. There we found lunch. and walked to a place called Nonaka where giant cedars seem to be looking after a fantastic source of fresh water. The night at Minshuku Tsugizakura in Nonaka, held by a great couple… he has been a cook all over Japan, and the Kaiseki dinner was exceptional.

On Monday we walked from there to Hongu Taisha great shrine which is the key place of the Kumano Kodo. The day was very long. In theory, 21km of ups and downs. In practice we managed to get lost… We arrived in time to get our books stamped and go on to Kawayu Onsen where we booked a room at Sansuikan Kawayumatsuya. We met there Ann, from Australia: she has walked all over the world but was finding Kumano Kodo hardest of all. So this is encouraging!

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Gyuba-doji statue
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Gyuba is sitting on top of both animals
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The cemetery of the Nonagase family
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A wish tree in Chikatsuyu
Cementery
Cemetery in Chikatsuyu
The massive cedars
The massive cedars of Ipposugi
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At Ipposugi
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Early morning in the Kumano Kodo mountains
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If this is breakfast you can imagine what dinner was like
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About to start a very long day…
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Filling up with water at Nonaka-no-Shimizu springs, renown as one of Japan’s best 100 spring waters
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On the road the locals decide to build their Manneken pis
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One neighbour invited the pilgrims to hit a ball
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An unprobable bridge
The detour... added more distance but also an enormous climb
The detour… added more distance but also an enormous climb
View from the top of the detour
View from the top of the detour
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Resting. Heat and humidity are very complicated
No photoshop... But she did't look that well!
No photoshop… But she did’t look that well!
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Tea fields getting close to the end
400 yards to go...
400 yards to go…
Next time?