Kii Katsuura Kumano Kodo: The Daichimon-zaka Hike & Nachi Falls Challenge! 🚶‍♀️💦

#summervacay Day two of my Kii Katsuura trip was all about tackling the Kumano Kodo! I made sure to pack several bottles of mineral water and some snacks before setting off. I caught the #31 bus directly opposite JR Kii Katsuura Station, buying a round-trip ticket for 1110 yen to avoid fumbling with change. About 20 minutes later, I got off at Daimon-zaka (大門坂) and officially began my hike. Daimon-zaka: A Sweaty Trek Through Primeval Forest As soon as I started walking, I instantly regretted why I decided to climb! For someone who doesn't exercise regularly, it was agony; within moments, I was sweating profusely, feeling like I was in a sauna. The stone path of Daimon-zaka wasn't crowded, but you must have water, as it's truly primeval forest. I honestly advise anyone with low stamina to skip this section of Daimon-zaka. Nachi Taisha, Seiganto-ji & Nachi Falls After much effort, I finally reached the shop near the Nachi Station bus stop, where I took a brief rest before continuing my climb. At last, I arrived at Kumano Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社). They have a huge omikuji (fortune-telling) barrel there, which is worth trying for fun. After passing through the temple (Seiganto-ji), it was a downhill path to the Nachi Waterfall (那智瀑布) bus stop, passing the Three-Storied Pagoda (三重塔) on the way. Right next to it is Hiryu Shrine (飛龍神社), offering a close-up view of the majestic Nachi Falls. Sticking to the "since I'm already here" mindset, I continued to check off these landmarks. To be honest, I found the downhill sections harder than the uphill, as they were tougher on my knees. The entire exploration took approximately 3 hours to complete. #kiikatsuura #kumanokodo #daimonzaka