Have a fun and healthy trek through the Kumano Kodo Magoshi Magose-togePass and Mt. Tengukura with an Owase therapist! It is safe even for beginners in mountain climbing♪

Kumano Kodo, a world heritage site you'll want to walk at least once, and climbing Mt. Tengukura, where you can see the ocean.
But for first-timers, I'm worried...
I want to know tips to make climbing easier and more enjoyable...
For such people, we recommend health tourism where you walk along the Kumano Kodo trail with an Owase therapist working in OwaseCity.

Owase Therapist is an instructor specializing in healthy walking who walks the Kumano Kodo in OwaseCity. They will not only walk the ancient paths, but will also guide you through the Kumano Kodo, giving you tips on how to make walking easier and wisdom on how to walk more healthily.


On this day, we were guided by Mr. Umetani, an Owase therapist!
Currently, 17 Owase therapists are working there.

Before climbing, your blood pressure and pulse rate will be measured to check your current health status.
We are currently taking temperature checks and disinfecting our hands as a preventive measure against the coronavirus.


Stretch carefully.
Magose-togePass in particular has a series of cobblestone pavements, and first-timers often walk while looking down.
I did a lot of stretching, focusing on my shoulders and neck.

This time's course is Magose-togePass, the most popular route on the Iseji Route, with its beautiful stone pavement and cypress forest. We were guided through a course that was about 5km long and took about 2 and a half hours.


Immediately from the entrance, you will be surrounded by a cypress forest, with beautiful cobblestone pavement.
The beautiful stone pavement has been preserved, which is rare even in Japan, and it is said that this is due to the efforts of local volunteers who are working hard to preserve it on a daily basis.


It feels great to be surrounded by a dignified air and feel the negative ions! You can walk all the way while taking a forest bath.

``The cobblestones are slippery, so please be careful,'' says our guide, Mr. Umetani.
Walking along the cobblestone pavement, which is made up of thick natural stones that seem to fold over each other, I found it to be more rugged than I had imagined, but our guide, Mr. Umetani, walked lightly.


``The stones come in a variety of shapes, so it's easier to walk if you hold the corner of the stone in the middle of your foot like this!'' he told me as a tip on how to walk.

Along the way, there are signs indicating where you are.
This is also a rescue point, and if a rescue is needed, this number will be used to notify the current location. Cell phone reception is also available near the sign. The numbers on the signs get bigger as you move towards Owase.

After walking for a while, I came across the Night Cry Jizo statue.
It is said that local people named it ``Night Crying Jizo'' to pray for children to stop crying at night. If you look closely, you will see a baby bottle being offered.

At the time of the interview, it was late November, but my body was already feeling warm.
Cool down by cooling your wrists at a small stream along the way. The cold stimulation of water is said to be perfect for mental and physical health and healing. "Please drink a small amount of water frequently," she advised.

A cobblestone road covered with ferns.
They also taught us about plants, such as plants that are unique to the region and rare flowers.
We were just walking and looking at the cobblestones, but by hearing these stories, we discovered a lot of new things that we didn't realize on our own!
I enjoyed Kumano Kodo even more!


Now, the slope is getting tough!

Take a break on a bench with a panoramic view along the way...

How to enjoy forest bathing by putting your hands around a large tree and feeling the power...
I was also taught.

After an hour of walking, we arrived at Magose-togePass, which is about 325 meters above sea level!
The view of the mountains and the cityscape of Owase was spectacular!

It is said that there used to be Iwafune Jizo-do and Umakoshi Chaya on the pass.

You can even go down the mountain here!
If you have the stamina, we also recommend Mt.Tengurasan for its beautiful scenery! I was guided! It takes about 30 minutes one way from Magose-togePass to reach the top of Mt. Tengukura.

The climb from Magose-togePass Pass to Mt. Tengukura continues to be steep and quite difficult.
Once again, thanks to the tips on how to climb, I managed to climb!

After climbing for a while, a huge rock appears in front of you!
Go around to the other side of the rock and climb the ladder to reach the summit.

The view from the top of the mountain is impressive!
My fatigue is blown away and I am filled with a sense of accomplishment.

There is a large space on the rock, so it's a good place to eat your lunch!
The food you eat at the top is special.

If you climb the rock in front of the summit, you can get a panoramic view of Owase's cityscape and Owase Bay.

After taking a break at the top, we will descend.
When descending the mountain, you will descend down a steep and rugged cobblestone path,
You need to be more careful not to fall.

This time's goal is Magoshi Park. Even beginners were able to reach the goal with confidence.

There is also an unmanned information desk with pamphlets placed nearby, so you can check out recommended spots in OwaseCity that you want to visit later.

``I want you to have a special time that is good for your body and mind by guiding you on a healthier walk through the Kumano Kodo, which is full of natural and cultural attractions,'' says guide Umetani. It is said that spending time in the historic nature, which is different from everyday life, is important for refreshing the mind and body.

This was my first time walking the Kumano Kodo, and thanks to the guidance I had, I was able to climb it safely and with peace of mind.
Not only that, I learned a lot about the history and nature of Kumano Kodo Magose-togePass. Furthermore, because Owase is a therapist who specializes in health, I was able to learn how to walk and other healthy factors through practical training.

History, nature, walking style...we discovered many things that we would not have noticed on our own during this Kumano Kodo health walk. Thanks to Owase therapist, I was able to spend more meaningful time.

Cooperative Owase Tourism and Products Association
Address: 12-14 Nakaicho, OwaseCity 519-3605
Phone number/0597-23-8261
Official URL／https://owasekankou.com/
Business hours/8:30-17:15
Period All year round
Experience date and time 8:30-17:15
Fee
Kumano Kodo Magose-togePass Pass approximately 3 and a half hours 6,000 yen
Kumano Kodo Magose-togePass + Tengukurayama approximately 5 hours 10,000 yen etc.
Minimum number of participants: Up to 10 people per guide
Reservations Advance reservations required (Please make reservations at least 2 weeks before the experience.)
Note: Please be sure to bring towels, drinks, and rain gear.
As for shoes, it is safe to wear sneakers or trekking shoes.