Spend a half day hiking with a real Yamabushi ascetic monk and find out about the tough physical training these remarkable individuals undergo in the mountains.
Find out about the tough physical training these remarkable individuals undergo in the mountains - watch him blow the sacred conch shell horn - learn the tenets of Shugendo. Time on the trail with this fascinating, English-speaking monk will be a real highlight of your Kumano Kodo trip.
Shugendo, literally "the path of training to achieve spiritual powers" is a synthesis of mountain worship, esoteric Buddhism and Shinto. The religion's Yamabushi, an ascetic monk or a mountain priest, is considered to have supernatural powers. You'll walk together on the trail from Hongu to Sanzai touge. The walk is around 5 miles / 8 kilometres and takes around 5 hours.
This experience is an Add-on package
This experience is ideal for those staying in Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen on the Kumano Kodo Trail. All our Self-Guided Kumano Kodo tours offer the opportunity to spend a leisurely second night in one of these hot-spring villages near the Grand Shrine at Hongu. Clients choosing the two-night stay can request this Experience for their intervening free day.
Meet your Yamabushi guide in the morning and hike together on the trail, while learning the teachings of Shugendo.
Enjoy a mountaintop lunch together before descending back to the village of Hongu below.