“I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me.” — Cheryl Strayed
Koyasan (Wakayama Prefecture), a sacred mountain-top Shingon Esoteric Buddhism site, has been attracting worshippers for the past 1,200 years. Along with the…
Located about a hundred kilometers south of Osaka, the Kumano Kodo is the perfect antidote to a few days in Japan’s megalopolises. The network of trails snakes across the Kii Peninsula past sites significant in Buddhism and Shintoism, through small towns, and over lushly forested mountain passes. The pilgrimage holds appeal for hikers with a wide range of abilities, religious affiliations, and priorities. Here’s how and why to hike the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage in Japan.
Mount Koya s spiritual realm extends further, come and discover the Niutsushime Shrine and Jisonin Temple, which play their own important roles in the story of this land.
Wakayama Prefecture is located on the southernmost part of Japan’s Kii Peninsula. This corner of Honshu Island also snagged the 5th slot on the Lonely…
Japan – Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range
Cemeteries hardly seem like “destination-worthy” tourist attractions. But, some are so beautiful, strange, or downright fascinating that visitors flock to them by the tens or hundreds of thousands each year. It’s not surprising when you consider it’s a lot more fun to visit a cemetery as a “tombstone tourist” when you’re actually, you know, alive. With that in mind, here are four of the world’s best cemeteries worth traveling to see.
BONAVENTURE CEMETERY
Savannah, Georgia
Charleston aside, few cities nail the spooky-beautiful-charming Southern vibe like Savannah, Georgia. Nowhere is this more evident than in the city’s Bonaventure Cemetery. Stands of massive, centuries-old live oak trees draped in Spanish moss canopy the historic burial grounds which are perched on a scenic bluff overlooking the Wilmington River. The 100 acres here include significant tombstones, sculpture gardens, and Southern Gothic monuments. Plus, the cemetery has appeared in numerous Hollywood flicks including Clint Eastwood’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. If you’re into that sort of thing …
