Sacred Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo Cherry Blossom Tour 24th March – 7th April 2017

Photographs courtesy: Jan Hutton, Garry Honour, Irene Irvine Copyright © Kiku Consulting 2016

Tokyo Sky Tree and Head Office of Asahi Beer

Hozomon Gate – Asakusa Tokyo

Jizu at Zojoji Temple - Tokyo

CherryBlossomsOverStatue –ZojojiTempleTokyo

Zojoji Temple - Tokyo

Cherry blossom burstingforth from tree trunk.

Cherry blossoms in full bloom

“Cup of Tea Balconies “ Kappabashi – Tokyo

No – it is not real…….It is made fromWax - Tokyo

Sake Offerings at Meiji Shrine – Tokyo

Weddomg at <ji Shrine = okyo

Japanese Wedding – Meiji Shrine Tokyo

Ameyoko Markets – Ueno Station – Tokyo

Takashita-dori…..Tokyo

A touch of Harrods in Tokyo

Shinkansen (Bullet train)

Cleaners waiting to board the Shinkansen – Tokyo Station

Interior of carriage on Shinkansen

Matsumae Ryokan - Nara

Musical evening at Matsumae Ryokan - Nara

Breakfast at Matsumae Ryokan -Nara

Todaiji Temple – Nara

The “Great Buddha” of Nara

One of theGuardiansOf theGreatBuddha

Cable-car to Koyasan

“Ready for bed?” Eko-In Temple Koyasan

Fire Ceremony – Eko-inTemple Koyasan

Okunoin Cemetary inKoyasan

Okunoin - Koyasan

Sacred Bridge – Okunoin – Koyasan

Okunoin - Koyasan

Okunoin Cemetary - Koyasan

Rice cookers which can cater for 2000+ people at Kongobuji Temple in Koyasan

Kamigoten Ryokan - Ryujin Onsen

Mrs.Ryujin “Okami” of Kamigoten Ryokan

“Dinner is served” – Kamigoten Ryokan – Ryujin Onsen

Outdoor Onsen at Kamigoten Ryokanin Ryujin

View from Takahara – Kumano Kodo

Lunch Box on the trail

Walking the Pilgrimage Trail – Kumano Kodo

Cherry Blossoms & Mountain view along Kumano Kodo Walking trail

Tea growing along the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail

Torii Gate at Oyunohara – Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail

Cherry blossoms at Oyonohara – Kumano Kodo

Cherry Blossoms at Oyunohara – Kumano Kodo

Taiko Drumming night

Jet Boat at Dorokyo Gorge – Kumano Kodo

Yata Garasu (3 legged crow) Symbol of Kumano

Pagodaof Seiganto-jiTemple andNachi-no-Otaki(NachiWaterfall which is the tallestin Japan andcan be seenfrom thePacific Ocean.

Seiganto-ji Shrine – Kumano Kodo

Adjacent to Hongu Taisha – Kumano Kodo

UNESCO World Heritage Yunomine Onsen – Kumano Kodo

How do you like your eggs? hard, medium or soft ???? Yunomine Onsen

Kumano Hongu Taisha – One of the 3 Grand Shrines of Kumano

Kumano Hayatama Taisha – One of the 3 Grand Shrines of Kumano

Daimonzaka – Kumano Kodo

Hotel Urashima at Kii-Katsuura

NOT “Little Toot” … it is “Little Turtle”

Welcome to the Hotel Urashima at Kii-Katsuura

Local Fish Markets at Kii-Katsuura – Kumano Kodo

1000 Tatami Mat Rocks – Kii- Katsuura to Tanabe – Kumano Kodo

Hashigui-Iwa Rocks – enroute to Tanabe – Kumano Kodo

Foot Spa at Shirahama

Cherry Blossoms in full bloom - Kyoto

Restaurants overlooking the Kamo River - Kyoto

Restaurant along the Path of Pihilosophy - Kyoto

Full bloom along the Path of Philosophy - Kyoto

Maiko of Kyoto (Apprentice Geiko)

Kiyomizu-dera - Kyoto

Three storied Pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera Kyoto

Karamon Gate – Entrance to Nijo Castle

Close up view of work on the Karamon Gate – Nijo Castle In Kyoto

Fine detail of Karamon Gate – Entrance to Nijo Castle in Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji – KyotoThe Golden Pavilion

600 year old tree – grounds of Kinkaku-ji - Kyoto

Artisans displayingtheir skillsat NishijinTextiles – Kyoto`

Kimono Parade – Nishijin Textiles - Kyoto

“Maiko” and “Geikomaking their wayto an Appointmentin Kyoto

BambooGroves atArashiyama –Kyoto

UNESCO World Heritage Ryoan-ji - World Famous Zen Garden – Kyoto

Offering prayers at Fushimi-Inari in Kyoto

Avenue of Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari - Kyoto

Guardian Fox at Fushimi- Inari Shrine - Kyoto

Sanmon Gate - largest wooden gate in Japan – entrance to Chion-in Temple Kyoto

Nishiki Markets - Kyoto

Cherry blossoms, petals and reflections

Cherry blossoms, petals & reflections