Linda

Tamaki Shine #1 – March 21, 2025

Kumano Kodo: Day 6 / Tamaki Shrine by car
Elevation: 3,400’
Weather: 40-60° / sunny & winds 10-15 mph

Tamaki Shine funded by Saburo’s great grandfather and grandfather is on the Kumano Kodo.

Certified – March 21, 2025

Kumano Kodo: Day 6 / Kumanogawa Town to Hayatama-Taisha Shrine by boat
Distance: 9 mi
Total mileage: 65.2 miles
Time: 1h 30m
Weather: 40-60° / sunny & winds 10-15 mph

We earned a dual certificate for walking the Kumano Kodo and the Santiago de Compostelle Camino.

Buddhist monk allowed us to play the temple drum as part of our recognition for walking both caminos.

Conical Hats – March 21, 2025

Kumano Kodo: Day 6 / Kumanogawa Town to Hayatama-Taisha Shrine by boat
Distance: 9 mi
Total mileage: 65.2 miles
Time: 1h 30m
Weather: 40-60° / sunny & winds 10-15 mph

Conical hats…

Boat Tour – March 21, 2025

Kumano Kodo: Day 6 / Kumanogawa Town to Hayatama-Taisha Shrine by boat
Distance: 9 mi
Total mileage: 65.2 miles
Time: 1h 30m
Weather: 40-60° / sunny & winds 10-15 mph

OVERVIEW

DRIVE: 45m from Totsukawa to Kumanogawa Town
BOAT: 1h 30m Kumano River Boat Tour from Kumanogawa Town to Hayatama-Taisha Shrine
ROUTE: Kumano-gawa River
BUS: 30m from Hayatama-Taisha Shrine to Kumanogawa Town
DRIVE: 45m from Kumanogawa Town to Tamaki Shrine (Saburo’s great grandfather and grandfather’s gift)
TOUR: Tamaki family shrine
DRIVE: 30m from Tamaki Shrine to Totsukawa
TOUR: Walk from Namiyo & Saburo’s home to Totsukawa community shrine
SLEEP: Namiyo & Saburo’s home

A thousand years ago only emperors traveled to Hayatama-Taisha Shrine by boat. Now it’s a VISA opportunity for all.

Like ancient times, wooden boats. I doubt emperors wore fluorescent orange life vests though maybe they wore the conical hats.

Our guide sweetly played a wooden flute.

Road Building – March 20, 2025

REST DAY
Location: Totsukawa
Weather: 34-50° / blue skies

Totsukawa is having a new road constructed. Road work must include stabilizing the mountain and is typical for Japan.

Many time I have written how vertical are the Japanese mountains. Banks of concrete are applied to stabilize the mountains.

Equinox – March 20, 2025

REST DAY
Location: Totsukawa
Weather: 34-50° / blue skies

Vernal equinox is a special day in Japan for visiting family.

We visit Saburo’s second cousin living a 10 minute walk from his house. Her 100 year old home has amazing wood work. Space heaters warm individual rooms. The gray table skirt is a cozy warm electric blanket.

Totsukawa is on a Kumano Kodo route. Saburo’s second cousin keeps a rest space for pilgrims. It’s most welcoming with day beds and literature.

Namiyo teaches me how to make sushi which we will serve for dinner when Saburo’s brother Morito visits.

Morito gifted me a beautiful Nara piece of pottery.

Raw Celebrate – March 19, 2025 / Namiyo’s Birthday

Kumano Kodo: Day 5 / Nachikatsuura to Hayatama-Taish Shrine
Distance: 13 mi
Total mileage: 56.2 miles
Ascent: 764’ / Descent: 756’
Time: 8h 30m (moving 6h 10m)
Weather: 30-50° / sunny & winds 20-30 mph with gusts over 40mph

Celebrate walking the Kumano Sanzan with raw fish, sushi. Incredibly delicious. I’ve learned not to ask what I am eating until I’ve cleaned my plate…eel. Now home to watch the LA Dodgers play Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome on TV. So Japanese.