Kumano Kodo Day 1: Food Motivated

I shipped my main bag to my final hiking destination, and set off to the trail head; a 1hr bus ride from the town. More than just moving scenery, the Kumano Kodo is a World Heritage Site with over two thousand years of recorded history that I learned about throughout my time on the trail (thanks to a lovely guidebook). I had chosen to partake in the Nakahechi route, the most traveled route to the center of Wakayama (prefecture) and the Kumano Sanzan; the three Grand Shrines. The three shrines were part of a single religious institution and built over 2000 years ago (no exact date known), and have changed overtime from local Shinto believes to a blended religion due to Buddhist influences starting in the 6th century. The pilgramage route has been established since the ~800s when abdicated (prior) emperors began taking the spiritual pilgrimage from Kyoto, where they would set out with up to 800 people in a procession. In the 1300s, the rise of the Samurai in political power resulted in Samurai and wealthy citizens participating in the pilgrimage. With the opening of Japan in the Meiji Restoration Era, the Buddhist elements were removed from shrines (religious policies) and the number of pilgrims reduced continually through WW2 and it's aftermath. Only in the last 30 years has international recognition and pilgrimage tourism increased the number again, myself adding to it!
I set off from the first shrine start, Takijirioji. From there it was a steep hike and 14km until my first Minshuku stay. The trail is peppered with small shrines, statues, and relics of the old pilgrimage path. Today, it's extremely well marked and gives information plaques near any historical sites. My favorite on this section Chichi-Iwa Rock; read the plaque picture for info ancient Japanese childcare options.

Along the hike, everything was green and lush and humid (never sweated so much before). Being used to arid Colorado, it's amazing when everything is so green. I was running a bit behind schedule due to sleeping in, and had to make up some time to make the 6pm meal time at the Minshuku. I jogged the downhill sections to make it up, powered by my intense internal desire to eat tasty homecooked food. I passed a German couple that teased me for not soaking it in, and I joked back that I had a dinner to catch. When I arrived to Chikatsyu, I had enough time to shower and be ready for a delicious dinner with other guests; homemade Chankonabe (sumo soup) and then a round of ramen noodles added to the broth. If I could replicate a single meal at home, it's going to be this. About 30 minutes into the meal, the same German couple checked in and had dinner with us, albeit they had to wait longer since the host had to make it separately. A bit of hustle in the name of food hasn't ever done me wrong, and that mantra was further cemented today.Okumaya devam et