There are five routes that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo. One of them, the Kohechi route, stretches from Mount Koya, passing through the village of Nosegawa and the Hatenashi settlement in Totsukawa, before reaching Kumano Hongu Taisha. The path from Totsukawa Onsen to Hatenashi involves a steep uphill climb, but the distance is short and can be completed without too much difficulty.
As you head south from Totsukawa Onsen toward Kumano Hongu Taisha, you’ll spot a red bridge. Cross the bridge, turn right just after it, and within a few dozen meters, you’ll find a small parking area that can accommodate about three to four cars.
If you turn right just before the red bridge and head toward a hotel called Subaru no Sato, you’ll find a large parking lot. This serves as the main parking area for those heading to the Hatenashi settlement.
At the back of the parking lot, there’s a tunnel like the one shown in the photo. Walk through the tunnel, and you’ll come out at a river.
To the right, where the path meets the river, a suspension bridge has been built for travelers heading to the Hatenashi settlement. Cross this bridge to continue your journey.
It’s not as high as the Tanize Suspension Bridge at the entrance of Totsukawa Village, so it doesn’t feel too intimidating.
After crossing the bridge and walking for a while, a narrow path of the Kohechi route comes into view. Follow this path as it begins its climb toward the mountains.
This is the stone-paved path that leads to the Hatenashi settlement.
途中の標識です。
A sign along the trail reads: Hatenashi Settlement – 1.0 km Totsukawa Onsen (Subaru no Sato) – 0.4 km
The stone-paved path continues like this, steadily climbing the hillside. As the slope becomes steeper, the scenery begins to change—opening to new vistas with every step.
Distant mountains come into view, and below, the Totsukawa River and Totsukawa Onsen unfold beneath your gaze.
And still, the path winds on.
The Hatenashi settlement comes into view—its clustered rooftops and terraced fields nestled gently into the mountainside, as if hidden among the ridgelines.
World Heritage monument
The Kohechi trail winds its way between the houses—shrouded in the quiet mist of early morning.
They’ve built stone walls to create and protect arable land on the mountainside.
If you walk a short distance downhill from the bus stop along the bus route, you’ll find a tourist parking area. Although the road is narrow in places, it’s possible to drive quite close to the settlement by car.
The parking area near the settlement can accommodate about three to four cars.
コメント