We caught the bus to Nachi and visited the local shrine while waiting for the bus to the more famous Nachi Taisha Shrine. Nachi is a fishing town so....a sacred boat.
Then the bus to the foot of Daimonzaka Trail where one sets out for Nachi Taisha Shinto Shrine and the Seigantoji Buddhist temple which sit literally side by side at the top. The Daimonzaka Trail has 600+ steps and giant fir tress. Wow!
Walking sticks to borrow. Yes!
One can rent pilgrim gear; however, we did not see anyone in costume. ;-(
There were a group of flowering cherry trees near the top (on March 28, 2019).
A bit of light rain when we reached Nachi Taisha Shrine.
Next door is Seiganto-ji Buddhist Temple.
Bell ringing at the temple captured in video by Sun-Ling.
The Buddhist Temple complex includes a 3-story pagoda. And beyond is Nachi no Taki waterfall, the highest waterfall in Japan.
Seconds after the photo below was taken we raced down several flights of stone steps and flagged down the bus to Katsura as it was pulling away. Whew! Next bus is not for 90 mins.
Katsura is a fishing village/town with a lovely round-the-peninsula walk, picturesque port, a shipyard tor two, and a free foot bath for the weary.
Photo below courtesy of JinYi
On to Koyasaka - love the Wakayama 5-day transport pass - where we picked up the Kumano Koda again and walked 5 km back to Shingu. This peaceful stretch of the trail is along the coast and passes an old whaling lookout station with nearby harpooner's shrine.
More cherry blossoms.
View from whaler's lookout.
Harpooner's Shrine.
View back to Shingu.
Above the train tracks and the beach.
Goodbye Japan! On to South Korea!
Good timing with the cherry trees!
ReplyDelete@Kathy - Yes, we were soooo lucky. And even better timing with South Korea. Stay tuned.
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