Walking in the Japanese hills

Here is a wonderful article with great photographs about walking in the Kumano region. The Kumano Shrines are among the most revered in Japan and for many years women were not allowed in these sacred mountains. Many many years ago I spent time in nearby Shingu and took the waters in the hotspring at Kii-Katsura where you sit up to your neck in hot water, looking at the ocean and the sun setting on the horizon. And a year and a half ago I finally visited the Kumano shrines, an unforgettable experience.

Chasing Hiroshige’s Vision of Japan

Click on thumbnails to scroll through the gallery. All photographs below © Lesley Downer.