Kiiji route starts from Kubotsu Oji in Osaka to Tanabe city in Wakayama prefecture connecting Nakahechi route which is well known for many foreign travelers for trekking.
Originally, Kiiji was called “Kiji” or “Kiiji” and the Nakahechi route was a part of it.
Kiiji was the official route for abdicated emperors over thousand years ago to visit the three grand shrines in Kumano.
Most of the tracks are paved now but this route is much easier than Nakahechi route.
This route is especially for those who want to walk listening to local stories and those who don’t like to walk steep uphills, downhills and uneven tracks in the mountains.
In addition, the Kii-no-kuni Meisho Zue, published in the Edo period (1603-1867), depicts the roadside scenery of the time, giving a more detailed look at what the road was like in those days.
Access is relatively close to Osaka, so depending on the course, a day trip may be possible.
Some of the sites have been registered as national historic sites, and expectations are high that they will be added to the World Heritage list.
Please feel free to inquire about courses other than those listed below.
Fujishirozaka
