2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 13: Coastal Line along the Kinokuni Railway

Day 3: April 4 (Sat), from Kii-katsuura to Osaka

Compared with the cloudy weather yesterday, the sky was so blue at 6 o'clock in this morning. Green hills warmed by sunshine could be seen from the balcony.

We planned to take 8 am train after breakfast, but we were unable to catch up, so we stayed at Kii-katsuura station for two more hours. During the waiting time, we went to post a postcard. The staff said it took about 5 days to reach Singapore, but actually it's faster than that. So impressed with its efficiency.

After that, we went to the small park mentioned before. The cherry blossom was so pretty with the blue sky.

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 12: Walk in the Woods of Nakanoshima, Lookout for Pacific Ocean

When we backed to Kii-katsuura, we walked along the jetty, where a few of fishing ships from other prefecture could be seen. However, the crew doing the cleaning were speaking in Indonesian. No wonder there is an Indonesian signage pasted on a bench in the street we walked past just now.

We saw quite a number of Japanese, with their children, waiting for ferry. It's quite a big difference compared with yesterday. Maybe a lot of Japanese come for the hot spring and relax themselves during weekend.

Our room was tidied up when we return to the hotel. O-cha (Japanese green tea) and the delicious Nanki orange cakes were served on the table.

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 11: The Great Waterfall of Japan, The Nachi Fall

Even though it's raining heavily outside, we still walked to the Nachi Fall. The first thing you would see is the following rock carving:

"World Heritage Site: The Nachi Fall"

The poetry described the beauty and greatness of the Nachi Fall.
Translation as followed: 
Hundred-feet of firs surrounding the rolling hills, 
The water falls like a piece of white silk suspending in the sky,
You won't know how the summer is if you are here for three days,
This Great Waterfall is truly a wonder in the world
"The poetry of viewing waterfall by Shunkei"

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 10: Enjoy the Beauty of Nachi at the Top of Sanjyu-no-to

After walked past the Shakyokura (写経蔵, the place where sutra is transcribed), Sanjyu-no-to (三重塔, Three-storied Pagoda) was right in the front. The Nachi Fall could be seen from here.

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 09: The First Stop of Saikoku Pilgrimage, Nachi Seiganto Temple

Nachi Seiganto Temple is just beside Nachi Grand Shrine. The co-existence of Shinto religion and Buddhism is totally reflected here.

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 08: The God's Sacred Place, Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine

After climbed up the Omotesando stairs, there is a platform before entering Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine. From here, the visitors could enjoy the view of rolling hills. Two red torii of Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine could be seen at the back.

One of the major attractions at Kumano, the Nachi Fall

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 07: Pilgrimage Path Surrounded by Tall Firs

After walked pass the Meoto-sugi, there is a giant stone at the right side of the path.

The site of Tahuke-ooji

This is the last ooji-sha (prince shrine) of Kumano Ninety-Nine Ooji. During 12th - 13th century, the visitors and nobles, who came to Kumano for pilgrimage, built a lot of shrines along the paths. These shrines, called as ooji-sha, were used as resting place or accommodation in the past. Waka (japanese poetry) event was also held in these places to pray for the safety during the pilgrimage.

Ninety-Nine Ooji does not mean 99 shrines had been built, but have a meaning of many in number. Although 'ooji' means prince in japanese, it actually represents the mikogami, the children god, of Kumano Gongen (The gods of Kumano Sanzan, or the Three Kumano Mountains). However, the phrase of 'ooji' did not appear in Hei'an literature, but found in Edo literature (17th - 19th century). 

According to the introduction board, a shrine was built at here during Edo period. It was then moved to the vicinity of Kumano Musumi Shrine (currently known as Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine) at 1877. Therefore, a stone was placed at here to show its original site.

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 06: Time Travel back to Hei'an Period and Turn into Hei'an Noble

We arrived at Daimonzaka carpark after 20 mins from Kii-katsuura bus station.

Daimonzaka is located at north-west of Kii-katsuura

It was drizzling when we arrived, but the weather could not stop us to explore this heritage.

Entrance of Daimonzaka

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 05: Nachi Katsuura, a tranquil town

We came to the jetty in front of  the lobby, the hall staffs greeted us ohayo gozaimasu (good morning) at there. When the ferry headed to the town, they kept waving their hands at jetty until we can't see them.

Nakanoshima Ryokan, view from the backside of the ferry

Entrance to Pacific Ocean

After landed, we walked into the streets in Katsuura. It was 8 am in the morning, most of the shops were not open yet. It was so tranquil in town.

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 04: Kishu Breakfast at Nakanoshima Ryokan

Day 2: April 3 (Fri), Kumano Kodo

The morning of April in Japan starts around 5 am. I was able to woke up just after 5, 6 hours sleep, even though I need 8 hours sleep normally. It was so relaxed during travel.

Breakfast starts to be provided at 7 am.

Entrance of Umidori Restaurant

The waitress came out and welcomed us when we were at the entrance. She brought us to the seat next to the window. In this restaurant, if zaisekichu (occupied) sign was shown, then nobody will sit at this table.

The breakfast is buffet type, mainly japanese style, spaghetti was also provided. All were looked so delicious.

The radish (2nd row, left side) was so tasty, especially with porridge.

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 03: Tuna Dishes from Katsuura

Previous post has introduced the layout of the room. Now, let's see the dinner~~

A very kind obasan (aunt in japanese), who wore kimono, served us the dinner. OMG，how could I finish them?

Some close-up of the meal：

Appetizer, the pink drink is umeshu (plum wine)

Small fishes with its transparent look

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 02: Nakanoshima Ryokan, an onsen hotel on island

After leaving the station, we went to the jetty without checking the map. And we realized that we went to the opposite direction, but it brought us to a small park.

Caw from the crows could be heard from the park. The crows are so big in size!

Crow is called as karasu (カラス) in japanese. It is an auspicious symbol in japan since ancient times. Sculpture and pattern of three-legged crow, yatagarasu (八咫烏), could also be seen in Kumano Shrine nearby, which will be introduced in future post.

View of the park: JNR Class C58 steam locomotive, C58-353, which has 70-year history, is the model manufactured after WWII.

2015 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip 01: Arrived at Japan, Scenery View on Kuroshio

Finally my dream trip to Japan becomes true!!

In this 6-day backpacking, we had seen the beauty of the cherry blossom, brought ourselves into thousands-year of historical moment, felt the kindliness of local people, experienced the rainy, fragrant spring season. And experienced the luxury of business class on the return flight. What a memorable trip!

Now, let's look back this whole trip with me ~~

Day 1：April 2 (Thu), Arrived at Japan, Heading to Kii-katsuura

We took Malaysia Airlines from Changi Airport, Singapore, made a transfer at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, then took another 6-hour flight, and finally we touched down at Kansai Airport, Japan.

Flight path to Osaka

Reached Kansai Airport, a man-made island. Sea could be seen at far side