One of my favorite things about Japan is that
no matter where you've been
there's always new secret spots to explore.
Today we're going on a trip to one of those hidden spots
To Kumano, a coastal city that's backed by rolling mountains
and home to Kumano Kodo a UNESCO world heritage site
And one of the most breathtaking pieces of history I've ever seen.
This time around I made a few new friends
including Notto from Thailand
while filming a new NHK show about Kumano city that will air in a few weeks here in Japan.
We're taking you guys behind the scenes
sharing our first look at the beautiful spots of Kumano.
Hey guys
We are here a world heritage tour.
These original stones here are from over 800 years ago
And then above us, these trees,
were planted, what, 100 years ago?
Yeah, they're quite new!
We've walked along the generations of 1000 years!
And by walking through here, a lot of people before
They would think that if you walk through here and pray
and reflect and feel the nature and feel the energy
That somehow
You become...
REBORN!!
Notto here is kind of like my senpai!
He's also in grad school, studying in Tokyo.
Yes, in Tokyo.
We are drowning in the Tokyo city life
So this for us is kind of like
a chance to see nature and truly be...
...REBORN!!
As with many local spots in Japan,
the stories behind a place are often best told by the local people who live there.
In our case, we're lucky enough to have Matchan
and her loveable, hiking sidekick Rin-chan
who are experts in guiding Japanese and English-speaking travelers who come to visit.
Rather than rushing to the top
I want you to take your time
and really feel the history as you climb!
What we learned from them is that the Kumano Kodo
is a stone trail and famous historical path of prayer
that leads through the mountains, past three grand Kumano shrines
and finally north to the world-famous Ise Jingu shrine.
Throughout the trail the stone formations change
based on which historical period they were constructed in
Changing from small hand-size rocks to large stones that can weigh up to two tons
See this crazy wall?!
We were walking on this and I didnt even notice
until our wonderful guides Matchan and Rin-chan pointed it out but
It's at least 3 or 4 huge rocks thick
people carried all of these rocks by hand
and lined them up in a zig-zag pattern
which is what makes it stable/safe to walk on.
The crazy thing is that there's nothing in between!
There's no like mortar. There's no cement
Somebody designed the placement of each rock
which is quite the feat!
I thought I was in shape!!!
The path has many different trails
but along the way Matchan took us to an extra special secret spot for a break.
So we just came to this new terrace
right at the edge of the forest, before the ocean.
You can have coffee, a snack, or a mikan.
The guy who's running the place here said
the people here in Kumano city don't get sick
because not only are they surrounded by this beautiful nature
but they're eat great things
like the Vitamin-C in mikan.
After a long walk its perfect!
Refreshing and just a little bit sweet!
But that's not the only food you'll find in Kumano!
After dropping of Rin-chan
We followed the trail which took us down towards the beach
and into the actual city.
Where a local restaurant is using yuzu
and other local flavors in this delicacy: Sanma Sushi
Here we go - my first ever Sanma Sushi!
Made with delicious yuzu...
vinegar dressing goodness!
Let's go in again
It's really good he doesn't even taste like fishy at all
This is like so clean and fresh and delicious delicious tasting I can't even say I'm so I like happy right now
Oh my gosh this may very well be the most
beautiful place I've ever been to in Japan!
What a beautiful beach out here!
This beach isn't made of sand, but rather, tiny pebbles
Do you hear the waves coming in???
And the sound of the waves slowly sucking the pebbles back out to sea.
Matchan told us how she used to race across the beach
so we decided to have a race, too!
But eventually we headed in for the day.
Good morning~!
Today is Day 2, and we are going to start
some new adventures in Kumano.
I've heard that today we might go to the onsen!
L: Onsennn~~?? N: The hot springs!
We're going to get started and get on this train!
Let's go
Wow, it's so cute!!
Good morning!!
This adorable little train is completely battery powered
and it used to transport minerals from the local mines
but today it's actually used for something else!
The train just pulled up and look at this!
It's the cutest, tiny little train!
I'm TALLER than this?!
But today... WE'RE going to ride inside of it?!
Can I fit inside of this door?
Let's find out!
I fit, guys!
We're going to depart soon!
Oh!! That startled me!!
Guys there's like a staircase in the tunnels!
Today this little train is used to take people to
the nearby hot springs!
But I am NOT taking you in there with me!!
Instead we did some crazy things afterwards like
biking on the train tracks back to where we started
And eventually climbed to the top
of another portion of the Kumano trail
Once at the top we found something amazing!...
We found...
We found this...
We found this VIEW!!!
We made it! It's me, Notto!
Loretta, here!!
We're in the most beautiful place EVER!
We're in Kumano City!!!! YEAH!
I love living in the city and being close to everything,
but when I escaped it in places like Kumano
that's what really helps me recharge.
Ahhh it's impossible!!
Uh oh...
Fresh air, delicious food and new friends.
That's what makes everything worth it!
Thank you so much for watching today!
The air dates of the NHK show that we filmed are listed in this video description
But for now. I hope you enjoyed. See you then!
You