Why I’m Hiking the Kumano Kodo This September

By Paul – Jabble Chiba

 

 

Japan never stops surprising me.

 

I’ve lived here for a long time, but every year I discover somewhere new that makes me appreciate this country even more. This September, I’m taking on one of my biggest adventures yet: a five-day hike along the Kumano Kodo in Wakayama Prefecture.

 

If you’ve never heard of it, the Kumano Kodo is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes that have been walked for over 1,000 years. Emperors, monks, and ordinary people all travelled these mountain paths in search of spiritual renewal. Today, it’s one of only two UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes in the world, alongside Spain’s Camino de Santiago.

 

There are several different routes you can choose, but I’ve decided to walk the Nakahechi Route, starting at Takajiri-Oji and finishing at the spectacular Nachi Falls. The route passes through forests, mountain villages, ancient shrines, and some incredible scenery before ending at Japan’s tallest waterfall.

 

I’m really looking forward to it.

 

One of the things I love about hiking is that it forces you to slow down. Modern life is busy. We spend so much time looking at our phones, answering emails, and rushing from one place to another. When you’re hiking, none of that matters. Your only job is to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

 

I think that’s something we all need sometimes.

 

Of course, a five-day hike isn’t something you can do without preparation. I’ve been thinking about what to pack, checking maps, and making sure I’m physically ready for several days of walking through the mountains. The Nakahechi Route isn’t Japan’s hardest hike, but it still includes plenty of steep climbs and long days on the trail.

 

I’m also excited to stay in the small villages along the route. One of my favourite parts of travelling in Japan is meeting local people and experiencing places that most tourists never visit. Every region has its own food, traditions, and atmosphere, and Wakayama has been on my travel list for a long time.

 

Whenever I travel somewhere new, I notice how useful English can be.

 

Even though I’m travelling within Japan, I’ll probably meet visitors from all over the world. The Kumano Kodo has become increasingly popular with international hikers, and it’s common to meet people from Europe, North America, Australia, and many other countries.

 

That’s one of the great things about learning English.

 

Many people think English is only useful for travelling overseas. Actually, Japan itself is becoming more international every year. You don’t need to leave the country to use English. Whether you’re visiting Kyoto, Hokkaido, Okinawa, or Wakayama, there’s always a chance to have an interesting conversation with someone from another part of the world.

 

Sometimes those conversations are short.

 

“Where are you from?”

 

“How long have you been hiking?”

 

“Which route are you taking?”

 

Other times, they turn into memorable experiences that you remember for years.

 

As an English teacher, I always tell students that language isn’t just about grammar or vocabulary. It’s about creating opportunities. The more confident you become, the more doors open for you.

 

Maybe you’ll make a new friend.

 

Maybe you’ll get a great restaurant recommendation.

 

Maybe you’ll hear an amazing travel story that inspires your next adventure.

 

You never know what can happen when you can communicate.

 

That’s one reason I enjoy teaching at Jabble. We want students to use English naturally, not just memorise textbook sentences. Real conversations are unpredictable, just like travelling. You don’t know exactly what someone will say, but that’s what makes communication fun.

 

I’m sure I’ll have plenty of stories after I finish the hike.

 

Hopefully, I’ll have some beautiful photos to share as well—assuming the weather cooperates! September can still be quite warm in Japan, but I’m hoping the mountain forests will provide some welcome shade.

 

I’m also looking forward to reaching Nachi Falls after several days of walking. I imagine it’ll be a satisfying feeling to finish such a historic route after putting in the effort to get there.

 

Until then, I’ll keep preparing.

 

If you’ve ever walked the Kumano Kodo yourself, I’d love to hear about your experience. And if it’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, maybe this is the year to start planning.

 

Who knows? Perhaps learning English today will make your next adventure even more memorable.

 

See you in class!

担当校舎： 千葉校
担当講師： Paul

 

【スタッフによる要約】

9月に和歌山県の熊野古道・中辺路を5日間かけて歩く予定のPaul先生。今回の記事では、数あるルートの中から中辺路を選んだ理由や、旅を通して感じる日本の魅力について紹介しています。また、日本国内でも海外からの旅行者と英語で交流する機会が増えていることに触れ、「英語は海外旅行だけのものではない」というメッセージを伝えています。旅行と英語学習の共通点を交えながら、英語を学ぶことで広がる新しい出会いや体験について自然に紹介しているブログです。