Yamanobe no Michi Hiking Course

Today we met Nat, our Guide @ 0815. We are having our luggage forwarded on and for the next 2 days & nights we have to carry whatever we need.
Our goal for today was to visit the ancient city of Nara (Japan's first capital, before Kyoto and Tokyo).
We took 2 local trains and a Shinkansen to Nara and then began the 16 km Yamanobe no Michi Hiking Course.
Near Nara is the Tenrikyo Church Headquarters. A woman started this relatively new religion in the early 1990's. The Church has a following of 2.1 million.
The next shrine along the path was the Isonokami Jingu Shrine where Roosters are considered holy.
The initial route was uphill, but fairly quickly settled into a nice undulating path with quite a bit of shade. Still, it was hot and humid! We were drenched with perspiration and just couldn't get enough fluids in. For a while, after lunch, I (Kerrie) became unstuck, feeling faint, etc. We got some cold drinks from one of the many drink vending machines and life improved. The hiking was fine but the heat and humidity we didn't train for!
We arrived back at the hotel around 5.30 and Roger took washing to the laundromat before we headed off to find some dinner. Ended up at a very small restaurant not far from the hotel where we joined some of the walking group for a fun dinner.
Tomorrow we begin, in earnest, the Nakasendo Way & Kiso Valley Hike. We just hope it cools down a lot!!Read more