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Kyoto Culture & Kumano Kodo Trek

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Kyoto Culture & Kumano Kodo Trek Kyoto Culture & Kumano Kodo Trek April 5‐20, 2020 Leader: Kris Ashton Spring is a fabulous time to be in Japan! The cherry blossoms in Japan are some of the most beautiful in the world. Our trip is timed to visit key locations at the height of the cherry blossom displays, in both Kyoto and along the Kumano Kodo. Kyoto, formerly the Imperial capital of Japan for more than one thousand years (from 794‐1868), is one of the world’s most culturally rich cities scattered with hundreds, if not thousands, of pockets of amazing beauty. Kyoto has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites (the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto”), 1600 Buddhist temples and over 400 Shinto shrines. There are 24 museums, amazing gardens and palaces—including the Imperial Palace, the former ruling palace of the Emperor of Japan before 1869. Kyoto is one of the most beautiful and best preserved cities in Japan. We will spend three full days exploring a variety of temples, shrines and neighborhoods of Kyoto. Along the way, we’re sure to sample some interesting foods and beverages! From Kyoto we’ll make our way by train to the coastal city of Tanabe, which we’ll explore before heading into the mountains and our Kumano Kodo trek. The Kumano Kodo is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross through the dense forests and mountains of the Kii Peninsula of Japan. The ancient pilgrimage is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes in the world, the other being the Camino de Santiago in Spain. In 2015, the two routes were designated as “Dual Pilgrimage Routes” and pilgrims who walk both routes are recognized as Dual Pilgrims. 2020 Kyoto Culture & KK Trek—Trip Itinerary 5/20/19 Kyoto Culture & Kumano Kodo Trek We will experience authentic rural Japan as we follow in the footsteps of 11th‐ century imperial pilgrims to the sacred site Kumano Sanzan [the three Grand Shrines of Kumano: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha]. The Kumano Sanzan shrines are also UNESCO World Heritage sites; the shrines and the pilgrimage route are collectively known as the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." We’ll follow the UNESCO‐registered section, the Nakahechi route, for six days of varied walking along village paths and forested mountains trails. We’ll visit mountain‐top villages, soothing hot springs, sacred shrines and temples before we finish our trek at Katsuura on the coast. Along the way we’ll take a traditional boat tour down the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano River to Shingu. Each night we’ll stay in local traditional minshuku or ryokan where we’ll be welcomed as one of the family and where we’ll experience impeccable service, beautiful rooms, delicious food and hot baths, of course! 2020 Kyoto Culture & KK Trek—Trip Itinerary 5/20/19 Kyoto Culture & Kumano Kodo Trek Itinerary Summary Day Sunday Arrive in Kyoto. 5:00 p.m. meeting in hotel with welcome drinks and snacks. Dinner on your own. 1 4/5/2020 Optional hanami experience (viewing cherry blossoms in a large park with food/drinks and party atmosphere). Day Monday Morning guided tour of Tofukuji Temple and Fushimi‐Inari Shrine. Mid‐day free. Evening guided 2 4/6/2020 tour of Gion (geisha) district. Dinner together in Gion area. Day Tuesday Group visit of Kinkaku‐ji (Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Tenyru‐ji Temple 3 4/7/2020 (UNESCO World Heritage). Afternoon and evening free. Dinner on your own. Day Wednesday Group visit on Nanzen‐ji Temple and Path of Philosophy walk. Mid‐day free. Evening geisha dance 4 4/8/2020 performance. Dinner together in Gion area. Day Thursday Morning train from Kyoto to Kii‐Tanabe. Lunch and guided walk with shrine visit. Dinner together. 5 4/9/2020 Day Friday Morning visit to Akitsuno Garden (former school now Green Tourism center) with lunch. Visit to 6 4/10/2020 Ume factory with Ume liquor tasting. Dinner together. Day Saturday Morning bus from Kii‐Tanabe to Takijiri. Visit Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center with lunch. 7 4/11/2020 Walk Takijiri to Takahara (3.7km). Dinner together. Day Sunday Walk Takahara to Tsugizakura (13 km). Bus back to Chikitsuyu. Dinner together. 8 4/12/2020 Day Monday Bus Chikitsuyu to Tsugizakura. Walk Tsugizakura to Kumano Hongu Taisha1 (22 km; may bus for 9 4/13/2020 part). Bus from Hongu Taisha to Yunomine Onsen. Dinner together. Day Tuesday Bus Yunomine Onsen to Hitari. Traditional Boat Tour to Shingu. Visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha 10 4/14/2020 and Gotobiki‐iwa shirne. Afternoon bus back to Yunomine Onsen. Dinner together. Day Wednesday Bus (or walk 3.5 km) Yunomine Onsen to Kumano Hongu Taisha. Visit Kumano Hongu Heritage 11 4/15/2020 Center. Dual Pilgrim certificates for those qualified. Visit Oyunohara shrine. Experience Spring Festival. Dinner together. Day Thursday Bus Yunomine Onsen to Ukegawa. Walk Ukegawa to Koguchi (13 km). Dinner together. 12 4/16/2020 Day Friday Walk Koguchi to Nachisan (14.5 km). Dinner together. 13 4/17/2020 Day Saturday Visit Kumano Nachi Taisha, Nachi Falls and other sites. Walk Nachisan to Daimon‐zaka bus stop. 14 4/18/2020 Bus Daimon‐zaka to Kii‐Katsuura. Dinner together. Day Sunday Morning train from Kii‐Katsuura to Osaka. Afternoon free. Farewell dinner together. 15 4/19/20 Day Monday Breakfast together. Home or onward travels. It's been an awesome trip! 16 4/20/20 1 “Taisha” is Grand Shrine. We will visit the three grand shrines of Kumano Kodo, collectively called Kumano Sanzen. 2020 Kyoto Culture & KK Trek—Trip Itinerary 5/20/19 Kyoto Culture & Kumano Kodo Trek Accommodation Along the Kumano Kodo trek, we’ll stay in Japanese‐style accommodations. Whether it’s a family‐run ryokan or minshuku (Japanese inn or guest house), they all have three things in common: the futon beds, the hot bath, and the food. Japanese‐style room with futons Futons are like mattresses that are placed on the floor for sleeping. The futons may be set out in the room when we arrive, or there may be a small, low table in the center of the room with cushions for seating. In some accommodations, while guests are enjoying dinner, the staff may come and lay out the futons. Kimono robes (called yukata; generally with jackets), house slippers, towels, toothbrush and toiletries are provided. Japanese bath The baths in the accommodation are always gender segregated, but may be shared with several guests at a time (depending on the size of the bath). Guests first shower thoroughly using the hand showers and then slide into the hot water to relax. Clothing, swim suits or towels are not allowed in the soaking tubs. Typical Japanese meal Japanese meals consist of many small dishes of a wide variety of things, including vegetables, tofu, fish, meat and/or rice. Tea is always served with meals. The meal might be placed on the table all at once or be served in courses. At dinner there is generally a hot pot with all sorts of goodies cooking in it. Vegetarian meals are available. (Sorry, there is no gluten‐ free option.) 2020 Kyoto Culture & KK Trek—Trip Itinerary 5/20/19 Kyoto Culture & Kumano Kodo Trek Itinerary Arrival in Kyoto, Japan Day 1 [Take the limousine bus or Haruka Airport Express train from KIX to Kyoto Station] Group welcome meeting 5:00 p.m. This evening we’ll congregate in the hotel lounge area for a welcome drink and some snacks while we review the exciting itinerary we have planned. Those who are not too tired after their long journey may want to get dinner together (not included), explore the nearby neighborhood or attend a Hanami Festival (cherry blossom viewing) at a nearby park (food and beverages available there). Sunday Optional dinner together at the hanami festival. April 5 Welcome drinks and Accommodation: Hotel in Kyoto near Kyoto Station. snacks Western‐style rooms with en‐suite bath & toilet; public bath available in hotel. Getting to Kyoto from KIX airport in Osaka Illuminated, animated steps at Kyoto Station 2020 Kyoto Culture & KK Trek—Trip Itinerary 5/20/19 Kyoto Culture & Kumano Kodo Trek In Kyoto [morning walk ~4 hours; evening walk 2+ hours] Day 2 Our local guide will meet us in the morning, and we’ll have a half‐day visit to Tofuku‐ji temple and Fushimi‐Inari Taisha shrine, using a mixture of public transport and walking. Lunch on your own. Free afternoon to explore Kyoto. In the evening we’ll have a guided walk of the Gion district, where, if we’re lucky, we’ll catch a glimpse of an elusive geiko or maiko headed toward her evening appointment. (Note: in Kyoto, geisha are called “geiko.”) Monday Dinner together at a local restaurant. April 6 Accommodation: Hotel in Kyoto. Breakfast and dinner Western‐style rooms with en‐suite bath & toilet; public bath available in hotel. Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine Garden at Tufuku‐ji temple Hanami party in Kyoto 2020 Kyoto Culture & KK Trek—Trip Itinerary 5/20/19 Kyoto Culture & Kumano Kodo Trek In Kyoto [morning walk up to 4 hours] Day 3 Today we’ll head out on our own for walking visits of the Kinkaku‐ji temple (Golden Pavilion) and the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest area with a visit to Tenyru‐ji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll travel there and back by public transport. Lunch on your own. Free afternoon to continue exploring this area or other sites in Kyoto. Tuesday Dinner on your own.
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