Japan’s Sacred Mountains UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE Kumano Kodo Autumn Leaves Tour

23rd October – 6th November 2015Photographs courtesy of:Garry Honour, Irene Irvine, Dale Holmes, Jenny Mac, Pat Noad & Jan Hutton

Tokyo Sky Tree and Head Office of Asahi Beer

View over Nakimise Street from Asakusa Tourist Building Viewing floor

Nakamise Street– Asakusa Tokyo

Hozomon Gate leading to Asakusa Kannon Temple Tokyo

Altar of Asakusa Temple

October is Chrysanthemum time in Tokyo

Beautiful Chrysanthemum’s in Tokyo

“Cup of Tea Balconies “– Kappabashi – Tokyo

No – it is not real

It is made fromWax - Tokyo

Wax model displays – Kappabashi-dori in Tokyo

Sake Offerings at Meiji Shrine – Tokyo

Wedding at Meiji Shrine - Tokyo

Takeshita-dori (Tokyo’s answer to Carnaby Street)

Ameyoko Markets – Ueno Station – Tokyo

Shinkansen at Tokyo Station

Cleaners waiting to board the Shinkansen – Tokyo Station

Interior of carriage on Shinkansen

Mt. Fuji in Autumn

Matsumae Ryokan - Nara

House slippers for guests – Matsumae Ryokan in Nara

Musical Interlude at the Matsumoto Ryokan – Nara (Koto & Flute)

Breakfast at Matsumae Ryokan -Nara

Sweet Potato Vendor – Nara Park

UNESCO World Heritage Listed Todaiji Temple - Nara

The GreatBuddha ofNara

The Great BuddhaOf Nara

One of theGuardiansOf theGreatBuddha

OH DEER !! - Nara

Cable-car to Koyasan

Entrance to Eko-In Temple in Koyasan

Autumn foliage in the grounds of Eko-In Temple - Koyasan

“Ready for bed?” Eko-In Temple Koyasan

Morning Fire Ceremony – Eko-in Temple in Koyasan

Okunoin Cemetary inKoyasan

Okunoin - Koyasan

Sacred Bridge – Okunoin – Koyasan

Okunoin - Koyasan

Okunoin Cemetary - Koyasan

Okunoin Cemetary - Koyasan

Autumn huesat Okunoin in Koyasan

The largest rock garden in Japan – Kongobuji Temple in Koyasan

Autumn hues at Kongobuji - Koyasan

Rice cookers which can cater for 2000+ people at Kongobuji Temple in Koyasan

Autumn colours in Koyasan

Autumn in Koyasan

Kamigoten Ryokan - Ryujin``

Mrs.Ryujin “Okami” of Kamigoten Ryokan

“Dinner is served” – Kamigoten Ryokan – Ryujin Onsen

Outdoor Onsen at Kamigoten Ryokanin Ryujin

View from Takahara – Kumano Kodo

Lunch Box on the trail

Walking the Pilgrimage Trail – Kumano Kodo

Sign on the Kumano Kodo Trail

Tea growing along the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail

View of Kumano River from Pilgrimage Trail

Torii Gate at Oyunohara – Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail

Oyunohara – Kumano Kodo

Taiko Drumming night

Jet Boat at Dorokyo Gorge – Kumano Kodo

Yata Garasu (3 legged crow) Symbol of Kumano

Pagodaof Seiganto-jiTemple andNachi-no-Otaki(NachiWaterfall which is the tallestin Japan andcan be seenfrom thePacific Ocean.

Seiganto-ji (Temple of the Blue Wave) – Kumano Kodo

UNESCO World Heritage Yunomine Onsen – Kumano Kodo

How do you like your eggs? hard, medium or soft ???? Yunomine Onsen

Kumano Hongu Taisha

Kumano Hayatama Taisha

Kumano Hayatama Taisha

Daimonzaka – Kumano Kodo

“Turtle” Ferry Boat from Kii-Katsuura to Hotel Urashima – Kumano Kodo

Hotel Urashima at Kii-Katsuura

NOT “Little Toot” … it is “Little Turtle”

Welcome to the Hotel Urashima at Kii-Katsuura

Foyer of the Hotel Urashima – note the colour coding on the floors

Local Fish Markets at Kii-Katsuura – Kumano Kodo

1000 Tatami Mat Rocks – Kii- Katsuura to Tanabe – Kumano Kodo

Hashigui-Iwa Rocks – enroute to Tanabe – Kumano Kodo

Foot Spa at Shirahama

“Where is my bicycle” – Tanabe Station

On the banks of the Kamo River - Kyoto

Tea Pot Lane – Kiyomizu – Kyoto

Kiyomizu Temple - Kyoto

Maruyama Park - Kyoto

Karamon Gate – Entrance to Nijo Castle

Close up view of work on the Karamon Gate – Nijo Castle In Kyoto

Fine detail of Karamon Gate – Entrance to Nijo Castle in Kyoto

Along thePath ofPhilosophy –Kyoto

Path of Philosophy - Kyoto

500+ year old tree – Kinkakuji Temple – Kyoto

UNESCO World Heritage Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion) Kyoto

Artisan at work at Nishijin Textiles - Kyoto

Artisans displayingtheir skillsat NishijinKyoto`

Artisan at Nishijin Textiles – Kyoto

Kimono Parade – Nishijin Textiles - Kyoto

“Maiko” and “Geikomaking their wayto an Appointmentin Kyoto

BambooGroves atArashiyama –Kyoto

UNESCO World Heritage Listed Ryoan-ji - World Famous Zen Garden – Kyoto

Romon Gate - the entrance to Fushimi-Inari Shrine

Avenue of Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari - Kyoto

Guardian Fox at Fushimi- Inari Shrine - Kyoto

Water trough - Kyoto

Wax food model displays - Kyoto

Nishiki Markets - Kyoto

Autumn finery - Kyoto