I grew up surrounded by the ocean, mountains, and rivers, and I’ve done things my own way while breathing clean, delicious air. When I was a high-school student, I was invited to give a demonstration performance in gymnastics (mat, horizontal bars, etc.) at a sports event at Yunomine Onsen. People gave me an exceedingly generous welcome. That was the first time for me to experience the Kumanochi Route. Perhaps because I had lived so long in Tokyo, when I came back to Tanabe because I missed the ocean, mountains, and rivers, I would sometimes drive along the Nakahechi Route towards the Kumano Kodo.
I always stopped by Takijiri-oji and Nonaka-no-Ipposugi Cedar Trees. I liked listening to the guides talk about cemeteries and the pilgrimage route at the teahouse at the entrance. I would recommend that visitors head off the beaten track to visit Tamaki-jinja Shrine and the suspension bridge at Tanize. Of course, nobody should miss visiting Kumano Sanzan.
If you’re old or feeling fatigued, you won’t want to miss Wataze Onsen, Kawayu Onsen, Yunomine Onsen, and Ryujin Onsen.