Crossrhodes Kumano Journeys

11/08/2024

The chips are in!
Making of these cards by JR East Japan was suspended due to the limited availability of materials to make the chips for the cards.
Sales to resume soon.

If you’re traveling in Japan, one of the most useful things you can get yourself is a Suica card. Originally introduced as a prepaid card for using East Japan Railway Company/JR East trains, Suica has grown to be Japan’s most prevalent electronics payment method, accepted at a huge variety of ve...

11/08/2024

We have put some emergency provisions together just in case, but life goes on here on the Kii Peninsula as normal (except the beaches are closed and express trains aren’t running — but I have a car, and the local buses are spot on).

Following its first issuance of a megaquake advisory called the Nankai Trough Earthquake Extra Information, the Japan Meteorological Agency has been monitoring seismic activities in the assumed focal region of the quake attentively.

10/08/2024

More about the Bon holiday this week.

As people return to their hometowns to pay their respects to their ancestors, children may try to test their nerves with a 'kimodameshi.'

10/08/2024

Tourist spots have been hit by unexpected cancellations of accommodation bookings and beach closures ahead of the peak summer holiday season following Thursday’s issuance of Nankai Trough Earthquake Extra Information with the keyword Megathrust Earthquake Attention.

20/07/2024

This is a wonderful local intangible heritage being handed down.
I was fortunate to purchase my first couple hats directly from Mr. Shiba (when he was about the ripe age of 92, but still very alert, working every day at the workshop in his house). I had visited him to write a story for the ANA in-flight magazine, and each time I came back he was friendly and remembered me, always digging a photo out we had taken together.

The minachi-gasa are made with hinoki cypress wood which expands when it’s wet (to keep the rain off your head) and shrinks in the heat (creating ventilation for the inside of the hat).

Shiba-san is the last in a village of hundreds that made these hats and other goods like woven vases. The village and its artisans are said to be descendants of fleeing members of a clan that lost a civil war in the 12th century, hiding away in the mountainside, sharing their craft and knowledge.

But, kudos for locals who are hoping to carry on this local intangible living cultural asset.

TANABE, Wakayama — A craftsman new to the trade of making traditional hats typically worn by pilgrims of the historic Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes has become the heir to the ancient craft.

04/07/2024

I love these stories. Many of the foundation myths if Japan are deeply rooted here in the Kumano area. I think my favorite ones have to do with luring Amaterasu no Okami, the sun goddess, out of her exile in the cave.

The myriad of Japanese kami run the gamut from heavenly and earthly deities of myth and legend to deified historical figures. An expert on mythology introduces the different types of gods that make up the Japanese pantheon.

03/07/2024

Hi-ho! A hiking we must go!

We all have that friend that drags us on a hike—and it's more to your benefit than you might think. 🥾

If you're participating in the popular recreational activity this summer, chances are you're getting a lot more out of the experience than quality family time, beautiful vistas, and a breath of fresh air.

Hiking provides a host of mental and physical health advantages unmatched by other forms of exercise. Learn more about why the upsides of hiking are worth climbing for at https://on.natgeo.com/4eXKX4K

Photograph by Frans Lanting

30/06/2024

New bank notes launched this month in Japan! Don’t be surprised to have 2 sets of notes (old and new — you can still use the old!).
This will be especially notable in rural Japan where cash is still king in most places.

Japan will start issuing new banknotes on Wednesday, showcasing what it touts is the world's first use of cutting-edge holography that makes the portraits of historic figures look like they are rotating in 3D on the bills, one of their anti-counterfeit measures. In the first design change in 20 year...

28/06/2024

While not as big and not as common in the Kumano area, the convenience store is a great resource at the start (and even end) of your trip.
Other than the things mentioned in the video I would add: help with next-day Yamato Ta-Q-Bin shipping, great variety of snacks/instant foods for those without meal plans at their inns, English description of the items (not always, but usually at the 7-11), microwave to heat your meals, notebooks/pens/stationery, electronics like chargers/data transfer cables. What else have you gotten at one?

22/06/2024

Understanding the connection between Nature and Japanese religion through popular anime.
Applies heavily to the deities of Kumano as well.

Miyazaki Hayao’s classic anime Spirited Away draws on Japan’s religious traditions in its depiction of the bathhouse world its central character Chihiro finds herself in. Theologian Masaki Akira offers his insights into interpreting the film.

26/05/2024

Hideki Yukawa, Japan's first Nobel Prize winner, has deep roots with the Kumano area.
Born Hideki Ogawa, he changed his name to Yukawa per custom when he married his wife, taking her last name as her family had no male heirs.
Sumi's family were from Yukawa settlement along the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route, now abandoned.

KYOTO— Renovations have now been completed on the residence in which Dr. Hideki Yukawa (1907-81) — the first Japanese Nobel Prize winner — spent his later years. Kyoto University, to which the residence was donated, plans to use the renovated house as a multi-purpose facility and make it open ...

15/05/2024

Interested in the International Aikido Conference or connecting with founder Ueshiba Morihei's roots? Visit the birthplace of O Sensei and partake in Aikido experiences there. And why not extend that to a pilgrimage through Kumano?

19/04/2024

The founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei, was born and reared in the small city of Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, in Japan, and is where the master is buried.
Ueshiba-sensei had said he was a man of Kumano.
There are local tours that explore this connection. And visitors can not only walk the ancient UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage Kumano Kodo, but also experience Aikido in Ueshiba’s hometown.

https://www.kumano-travel.com/en/tours-activities/aikido-experience

For practitioners of Japan’s youngest martial art, the next international Aikido Summit will be in Tokyo in October.

The 14th International Aikido Summit will be held in Tokyo, Japan.

The seminars will begin on October 2nd (Wednesday) and will continue until October 6th (Sunday). Follow our channels to find out the schedule of the trainings.

The Embukai is going to be on October 5th (Saturday).

Also, on October 2nd, 3rd and 4th, there are going to be 3 Forums related to Ikigai.

The meetings of the General Assembly will take place at the beginning of the week, September 30th and October 1st.

The event is going to be held at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center, in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.

Details in the "Discussion" panel in the facebook event on this page.

13/04/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Thapi Ibr, Hector Seminario Castillo, Mostafizur Rahman, Theshani Hansika, Emily Abe, Hidemi Nagasawa, Chai JiaYi, Bradley Reynolds, Shirley Bond, John Robinson Ian Qwestkat, Orlando Bonnelly, Rachid Benzahra, Hlaing Win, Nisantha Dammika

13/04/2024

Come on and learn about Kamon, Japanese ancestral insignia.
You might even see some of these on display at Seiganto-ji at Nachisan.

Japanese family crests known as kamon were first used by the aristocracy over a thousand years ago, but over time they were adopted by samurai, merchants, and many others. Today, there are thought to be between 20,000 and 25,000 in use.

22/03/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Munzir Munzir, AnnaMarie Nicholas, Andreas Ochs, Prathibha Priyanjana, Matthew Gilbert, Lee Michel, Esther Esther

20/03/2024

Stayed near Sengaku-ji Temple in Tokyo, recently, resting place of the 47 Ronin -- masterless samurai who patiently avenged the death of their slighted warlord.
Youngest put to ritual death was just 16.

More about Sengoku-ji Temple.
https://sengakuji.or.jp/about_sengakuji_en/

Last photo may ring familiar to fans of the Japanese anime "Suzume."

08/03/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Thanks for your interest in the area!

김덕수, Steve Nichols, Azharul Haque, Chequera Rose, Marlin Nathaniel, Nakahara Chuuya, Gayan Ranasinghe, Linda J. Brennan

25/02/2024

Sumo's grand champion visited Kumano Hongu Taisha to pray for all affected by the recent Noto Peninsula earthquake.
Sumo used to take place at key shrines along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, particularly the five "Gotai Oji" shrines (including Hosshinmon-oji) and the grand shrines as a kind of purification and subjugation of the earth ritual.

TANABE, Wakayama Prefecture--Yokozuna Terunofuji performed a ring entrance ceremony at the Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine here, praying for the recovery of the Noto Peninsula from a powerful earthquake on New Year’s Day.

18/02/2024

Japan's only other rocket launch pad (and first commercial launch site) is located near the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula.

WAKAYAMA — KAIROS, a small rocket developed by Space One Co., is set to be launched from Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture on March 9. The Tokyo-based start-up established Space Port Kii, a launch site with an area of about 15 hectares, in a mountainous area of the town. The space company was founded...

11/02/2024

Not just for “giri” obligatory chocolate any more, although huge chocolate sales still take place.
Interesting take on the changing attitudes about Valentine’s Day in Japan.

True story: I got “giri choco” from my (now) wife when we first started dating. But she gave it to me at work where there was only one other male on staff (principal), so had to avoid crossing the line of doing anything seemingly romantic. (Also, she probably wasn’t sure about me at the time. I wasn’t sure about me at the time, so fair enough.)

Valentine’s Day is an entirely different experience in Japan than it is overseas. For starters, February 14th is a day for women to confess their feelings or give chocolates and sweets to the men in their lives. It’s not traditionally a reciprocal holiday by any means, although in recent years, ...

07/02/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

Andrei Cebotari, Joey Antiporda, Muhaimeen Ishak, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Alexander Dowie, Amine Ma

20/07/2023

Sea, sun and solar panels.
Not to mention a perfect Frozen Cafe Latte Choco!

Recent trek along the Nagai-zaka section of the Kumano Kodo Ohechi between Susami and Mirozu stations.

13/07/2023

A couple of familiarization tours recently had me in Yunomine for a couple of days.