At the heart of Japan’s vibrant urban life lies Osaka, a lively city known for its dynamic culture, exquisite cuisine and towering skyscrapers. This is where our journey begins.
The energy of Osaka is infectious, but this time we wanted to get to know the rural area to the south better. With the city noise fading behind us, we head south into the sacred forests and mountains of Kumano. This transition was not just a change of scenery, but a passage through time, from the modernity of urban life to the ancient, spiritual landscape that has fascinated pilgrims for centuries. The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, paths that have been walked for a thousand years, offered not just physical exertion but an inward journey, each step a meditation, each breath a communion with nature and the divine.
From the solemn tranquility of Kumano, the trail continued to Shirahama, where the sea meets the sky in a horizon that stretches into eternity. Shirahama, known for its pristine white sand beaches and therapeutic hot springs, presented another facet of Japan’s natural beauty. Here, travelers found renewal in the warm embrace of onsen, natural hot springs that are as much balm for the soul as they are for the body. The contrast between the cold ocean spray and the steaming warmth of the baths embodied the duality of nature’s character – both powerful and nourishing.
This journey from Osaka to Kumano to Shirahama and back was not just a traversing of distance, but a journey across the diverse landscapes of the human experience. This time we traveled by public transportation, which was a bit inconvenient at times, but ultimately a lot of fun and another beautiful experience on our trip.
