The Other Japan: Ancient Trails, Pilgrimage, and Trekking. The Kumano Kodo Trail
The Kumano Kodo is an ancient pilgrimage route in Japan that winds through mountains, forests, temples, and hot springs. In this lecture, we'll discuss how to organize a trek in Japan, how to hike the route yourself, how much it costs, and why it's one of the most unusual ways to see the real Japan.
For many, Japan ends with Tokyo, cherry blossoms, and neon signs. But there's another Japan—mountainous, quiet, filled with ancient trails, hot springs, forests, and a special human connection to nature.
During the lecture, we discussed Japanese outdoor tourism and pilgrimage routes, the Kumano Kodo route, which is over a thousand years old, and the unique experiences one can have there. We explored how trekking in Japan works, how to plan such a trip yourself, and why traveling there has now become much more accessible than many people think.
What did we discuss?
What is Japanese outdoor tourism and how does it differ from European tourism? - How the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route works.
Why the Japanese attitude toward nature is so strongly felt during travel.
How to organize a trip: logistics, accommodation, safety, seasonality.
How physically challenging is the route?
Who is this format suitable for, and who isn't?
Why now is a great time to travel to Japan.
Plus stories, photographs, expedition tales, and a discussion about a country that cannot be understood solely through tourist postcards.
Speaker:
Tina Rybakova, travel organizer for "I'm Going to Seek," group psychologist, and trekking leader with 10 years of experience leading groups. Her background includes expeditions and treks across Russia and the world, from Kamchatka and Kolyma to Africa and Japan.
Hiking gear: https://sport-marafon.ru/turistichesk...
Trekking boots: https://sport-marafon.ru/catalog/trek...
Hiking accessories: https://sport-marafon.ru/catalog/akse...
Timecodes:
00:00 Japan on foot: a pilgrimage Trekking and Nature
00:58 About the Speaker
01:51 Memes about Japan
02:43 What the Lecture is About
03:53 Why Japan. The Speaker's Story
07:03 Trekking in Japan
09:45 Climbing Mount Fuji
10:24 The Japanese Alps
11:33 Yakushima Island - Miyazaki's Inspiration
12:18 Nakasendo - the route from Edo to Kyoto (530 km)
13:36 Kumano Kodo - a network of pilgrimage trails
17:46 Kumano Kodo Routes. Trails on the Map
24:52 History of Kumano Kodo
31:23 Route Features. Torii, Temples, Ryokans
37:15 Pilgrim's Passport and Stamps
38:37 Food on the Kumano Kodo Trails. Gastrotourism on the Hike
45:42 Route Difficulty Markings and Safety
49:32 Where to Stay. Tents, Ryokans, Shukubo, Minshuku
52:44 Hot Springs (Onsen)
57:15 The Japanese Attitude to Nature
01:13:42 Seasonality and Logistics
01:23:11 Documents and Budget
01:28:14 Final Tips
01:36:48 Photos from the Trek. Nature, Gardens, Animals
01:40:38 Contacts
01:41:07 Did you follow the route marked on the map?
01:42:43 Is it possible to call a taxi?
01:43:22 Is there a fee for this route? What are the daily costs?
01:45:02 Can I pay by card?
01:45:46 Are there restrooms along the route?
01:46:40 Can I use the stove?
01:47:13 Are tattoos not allowed into onsen?
01:49:20 What backpack should I take?
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