Kumano Kodo Nakabe Road Hiking Tour

🏞️ Kumano Kodo Nakabe Trail Day 5 | A Rainy Stroll through Komo-no-Torigo, a Forest Hiking Accompanied by the Chirping of Insects and Birds

After successfully obtaining our ✨Double Pilgrimage Certificate✨ yesterday at Hongu Taisha Shrine, our next goal was to complete the entire Nakabe Trail! 💪 Today we planned a warm-up hike to Komo-no-Torigo, and tomorrow we'll tackle the legendary Omo-no-Torigo.

🌧️ Morning Rain Revelation

Awakened by the sound of dripping rain, I opened the curtains to a gentle drizzle, but it was enough to warrant a raincoat.

After a quick breakfast in our room 🍙☕, we packed our bags and caught the 7:26 bus to the Kiyokawa trailhead, ready to set off!

🚶♀️ Embarking on the Komomo-tokoshi Trail

Departure Point: Kiyokawa Trailhead

Route Highlights: Hyakuken-gura → Ishido Teahouse Ruins → Sakura Teahouse Ruins → Owadase Ferry Ruins

Number of Stamps Collected: 3 ✅

🌱 7:45 AM The hike officially began, and the rain miraculously stopped!

All along the way, we were accompanied by tiny frogs 🐸, the chirping of insects and birds 🐦🪲, and the buzzing of bees 🐝. Occasionally, we'd encounter a spider web 🕸️, and Xiaojing and I would take turns "removing it," laughing endlessly.

☕️ Resting at the Ishido Teahouse Ruins

This was once a rest stop for pilgrims, but now only the ruins remain. We stopped for a snack 🍫 and met two hikers coming from Koguchi. We exchanged cheers and continued on.

🌸 Sakura Teahouse Ruins

It's said that this area was once covered in cherry blossoms 🌸, offering a beautiful rest stop for spring pilgrims. Although only ruins remain today, imagining the vibrant sea of blossoms is still captivating.

🌊 Owatase Ferry Ruins

This was once an important river crossing point, with boats carrying travelers across the stream. Now, the river flows quietly, making it a perfect spot for lunch and a rest 🍱. We refueled here before continuing on to our destination.

🏡 Koguchi Natural House

Today's 13-kilometer hike took us just 5 hours and 20 minutes (including rest and lunch), arriving at our accommodation, Koguchi Natural House, at 1:00 PM. Tucked away in the mountains, this warm and welcoming place is a popular stop for hikers and pilgrims.

🏔️ Little Kumotorigo (approximately 621 meters) is a key mountain on the central side of the Kumano Kodo Trail. Its name, "Kumorigo," means "ascending through the clouds." Once a pilgrim route, this section offered both a challenge and a spiritual training. Today, it's a perfect section for hikers to experience the Kumano Kodo Trail's triple charm of "nature, history, and faith."

✨ Today's Summary

🌧️ A rainy start to the journey
🐸 Frogs and birdsong for company
🍫 A short break at a teahouse ruin
🌸 Imagine the Cherry Blossom Trail
🚶♂️ 13 kilometers completed!

Tomorrow, we'll tackle the even more challenging Okumotorigo! 🔥

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