june 2016

Japan is a country I'll never tire of visiting and every time I go, it doesn't disappoint. Not only is the food incomparable, Japan is generally clean, safe, and everything runs on time. On this trip, i went solo hiking through the verdant hills of Wakayama, a region three hours south of Kyoto by train. Specifically, I hiked the imperial Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage Pilgrimage walk that Buddhists have used since the 11th century. In the hopes of reaching enlightenment, Buddhists used the path to visit the three Grand Shrines of Kumano: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha, and Nachi Taisha. Personally, I love through-hikes that provide food and shelter along the trail. The Kumano Kodo takes it up a notch with local ryokans that serve local kaiseki meals and offer the requisite onsen (ie. hot spring bath), which I indulged in nightly. After 4 nights/ 5 days of hiking that included a boat ride to one of the temples, I felt thoroughly enlightened about the healing benefits of onsen and Japanese food.