Kumano Day 1

Day 1 Takijiri to Takahara

We took the Kuroshio 7 train from Osaka station to Kii-Tanabe station

At Kii-Tanabe, we took the Ryujin bus 2 to Takijiri 


At Takijiri, we left luggage at the Kumano Kodo Visitor Information Centre. Use toilet if needed. Buy any last minute hiking equipment if needed - we bought a 'bear bell'...just in case.


From the Visitor Information Centre, we crossed the street to the Takijiri-oji.

2.05pm Takijiri-oji (100m elevation). The path from here is steep up all the way. We shortened our hiking poles for the climb.





2.30pm Tanai Kuguri rock - if you dare to try crawling through it


2.32pm Chichiwa rock (milk rock)

More steep climbing

You may want to take a break


3.20pm Tsurugu Sutra mound (371m elevation). The path descends steeply from here.


3.35pm Trail sign 'Kumano Kodo 2.2km', Fork in road, with steps up to viewpoint on left



3.40pm Reach viewpoint. The view is great! 


The path from here is steep down all the way


3.50pm Trail marker 4 (estimated 270m elevation) 


Continue down to road junction (200m elevation)


4.00pm Steep uphill again


4.30pm Two jizo statues


Still steep uphill


4.35pm Edge of the forest. Large house with gate made of tree trunks


4.40pm We approached the village of Takahara (est 300m elevation). First building is a 'Sen Retreat' (house available for rent for short term stay), then houses, then a sawmill





Great views from Takahara



4.45pm Takahara Kumano Jinja shrine



5.00pm Open space, rest area, viewpoint, one vending machine




We continued along the road to find Organic Hotel Kirinosato, where we were staying for the night





Excellent dinner at Organic Hotel Kirinosato



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