Ohechi Kii-Uragami station to Fudarakusanji Temple (Nachi station)

This is a part of well preserved ancient trail in Ohechi route.
There are 4 passes in this course but the difference of each elevation is 70m to 150m.
Niko toge pass and Suruda toge pass were designated as the Unesco World Heritage site in 2016.

This course is a long distance walk so it is possible to divide in 2 sections:
1. From Kii-Uragami station to Yukawa station (approx. 8.4 km)
2. From Yukawa station to Fudarakusanji Temple (approx. 7 km)

Highlights of the first half

Charcoal Kiln

You can see the kiln making Binchotan charcoal.
Binchotan charcoal is made of Ubamegashi oak, which is very dense and regarded as the highest quality of all types charcoal.
Normally, other kilns are closed seasonally but here is open all year round except for the New Years Holiday so you will be able to see them work.
You may be able to see them working of taking out the charcoal from the kiln if you are lucky.

Uragami Toge Pass

This is not the World Heritage but the trail is as beautiful as the other two passes designated as the World Heritage.
You can see the Pacific Ocean in the distance from the top.

Dataiji Temple

The temple was founded about 1200 years ago.
A 400 years old giant oak tree will welcome you.
The deity of this temple is Yakushi Nyorai of 7 Yakushi Nyorai in Kumano can cure ailments of ear, teeth, legs, head aches and mental ailments.

Yonego-ike reservoir

It is also called “Yonago-ike”, which was made about 300 years ago for irrigation.
It took about 4 years to make.
A stone monument near the reservoir says that ”This was made under the guidance and supervision of a village headman, 16 houses in the village made this undergoing any difficulties.”

Highlights of the second half

Yukashigata Brackish-Water Lake

The lake is 2.2 km around.
Many Onsen spot such like Yurinoyama Onsen and Shiki-no-sato Onsen were found around this area and they attract many people.

Kasu Jizo (加寿地蔵)

Long ago, when a high raked princess passed away during her pilgrimage in Kumano, a statue called Kasu Jizo was put up to console her.
Originally, the name “Kasu (加寿)” was given because people offered sake lees called “Sakekasu” which she liked but this statue has made good matches for visitors, a letter “加” meaning of adding or giving and “寿” meaning of congratulations were assigned later.
In addition to making good matches, it is said that this statue can give you easy labor, giving birth and cure feminine ailments.

Suruda Toge Pass

Suruda Toge Pass is a beautiful trail leaving ancient stone stairs.
Here was additionally designated as the World Heritage site in 2016.

Marusho Jozomoto Vinegar Factory

This is the vinegar factory following the old tradition such as using underflow water of the Nachi river and barrels made of Kumano cider.
We can drop by if you are interested in.
https://www.marusho-vinegar.jp/english/index.html

Fudarakusanji Temple

This is one of the temples designated as the World Heritage site in 2004.
From 868 to 1722, many monks practicing at this temple passed away getting on small boats and sailed south in search of Fudaraku Jodo, or the Southern Pure Land that was believed to have been far across the sea.
A replica of the boat is on display on the premises of the temple.
You can also see a huge 800-year-old camphor tree at a shrine in the vicinity of the temple.