The 68-kilometer Imperial Route will lead you through small picturesque villages, bamboo groves, rice fields, magical Oji’s (subsidiary shrines of the Grand Shrines), and sacred temples. Due to its popularity, hikers will have many options (authentic lodging or campsites, meal plans, luggage transfers, local guides, and a developed bus network…) to plan this pilgrimage to your preference, pace, and level of fitness.
Breakdown of the stages
The Imperial route is marked in both directions but most people walk it from East to West.
Starting in the East you’ll find Takijiri-Oji at the trailhead, one of the five important subsidiary shrines lining up the Kumano Kodo. Make sure to also pay a visit to Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center where you can buy some last-minute essentials and visit the introductory exhibition. From Takijiri-Oji the trail climbs steeply to the mountaintops. Test your faith along the way by doing the Tanai-Kaguri ritual (where one would crawl through a crack of a boulder), before heading to Takahara. This village with a population of only ~75 is also known as Kiri-no-Sato (village of the mist) since it is located on a hillside with a gorgeous view of the valley filled with terraces of rice paddies, often covered in mist.
After leaving Takahara, the trail climbs further uphill passing more rice terraces. Along the way, you’ll find Uwadawa-Jaya Teahouse Remains as the highest point of this section. It was used until 1912-1916 as an important place to rest. The next few kilometers follow the trail through thick forests, before arriving at a Michi-no-Eki (road station) where it’s possible to stack in on souvenirs, snacks, drinks, and light meals. Not long after you’ll arrive in Chikatsuya, home to the oldest Oji shrines along the route and the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Museum. 900 years ago groups of up to 300 people would stay in this important town.
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