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“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
Source: Hiking Solo Along the Kumano Kodo Iseji Route
Koyasan (Wakayama Prefecture), a sacred mountain-top Shingon Esoteric Buddhism site, has been attracting worshippers for the past 1,200 years. Along with the…
A temple made famous by Japanese Buddhist monks who sacrificed themselves at sea.
Source: Fudarakusan-ji
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.
Source: 12 Reasons to Hike the Kumano Kodo, Japan’s 1,000-Year-Old Pilgrimage Route
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.
Source: Niutsushime Shrine & Jisonin Temple – Japan Travel – Japan Tourism Guide and Travel Map
People leave little knitted hats and scarves on the statues in the town’s splendidly eerie cemetery.
Touted as one of Japan’s best kept secrets, discover seven ways to experience the spiritually rich and breathtaking Wakyama.
Source: Wakayama: Make It Happen
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…
Source: 7 THINGS TO DO IN WAKAYAMA | The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog
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 …
PANTEÓN ANTIGUO DE XOXOCOTLÁN
Oaxaca, México
Read more from source: The World’s Most Beautiful Cemeteries Worth Traveling to See (Seriously)
My concentration is completely focused on footfalls, specifically where my feet are landing among the cedar roots that form a natural staircase. I’m ascending Mount Tsurugi, on the Kii Peninsula, from the Takijiri-oji Shrine, on an 11-day trip thats covers the famous Kumano Kodo trail.
When I first set out on this pilgrimage, my goal was to escape the inescapable — a never-ending stream of U.S. political updates and urban clatter. The first Japanese emperor to hike the trail did so in the 11th century, after his retirement — possibly to seek absolution for his courtly life and imperial decisions.
I was invited by REI Adventures to hike the Kumano Kodo and Nakasendo trails with five other hikers, to experience this new trip. It’s part of their level-two offerings, which are designed for leisurely hikers — those who prefer no pre-trip calisthenics and like to conclude a few mellow hours on the trail with a soft bed and warm, multicourse meal.
Read more from source: Hiking the sacred Kumano Kodo route in Japan with a backpack and a “no Trump talk” pact
