From the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji in Nara, to the thousand Shrines of Kyoto, the Kansai region remains filled with the iconic temples and shrines of Japan. And while many regions of the country find their temples and shrines dying, visitors petering away and interest waning, many Kansai temples can’t keep up with the demand tourists and worshipers present.
At my school I am taking a class focused on Japanese religion, it’s history, style, and impact on Japan. As a result I have not only studied from afar, but spent a good amount of time leaving the classroom and wandering the Kansai, visiting both temples and shrines to increase my understanding of my host country.
The biggest trip away from the classroom that I took as a result of this class was my pilgrimage to the Kumano Kodo, a hiking trail in the Kansai region where I visited three major Shinto shrines (and experienced a Japanese hospital while having a migraine).
The towns that the Kumano Kodo passes through are very small, but filled with warm hospitality. From the orange vendors outside Hayatama Taisha to the Hostel host in Kii-katsura, I never once felt out of place or un-welcomed during my stays. Every stop along our journey we made new friends who always wanted to know why we were visiting, since foreign tourists tend to stay within the bounds of the big cities.
It was refreshing to get away from the constantly sardine-packed streets of Osaka, slowing down each step to observe the breathtaking beauty of the island I had been living on for nearly three months, but hadn’t really stopped to explore. “Are you more of a mountains or beach person?” Well here you can be both in the same day!
While all three shrines were beautiful and captivating in their own rights, each having unique charms and atmospheres, what really stayed with me was the journey itself and the people we encountered. Our fellow travelers, both Japanese and foreigner, were always happy to help when we were lost or confused at any point in the journey. The hostels we stayed in were hosted by the sweetest people who spent time with us and went out of their ways to ensure our comfort.
Traveling into the countryside of Japan is not scary in any way, in fact it was by far some of the most fun travel I’ve done on my study abroad! Don’t worry about your Japanese level, do your best and use a translator app if you need to, even I had to use an app at the hospital (no class ever taught me the words for “single use medicine” or “diarrhea”).
The countryside of Japan sees few visitors, so don’t be scared to venture outside of the insanity of Tokyo and Osaka and take a walk alongside the great kami of the mountains.
