What about visiting the Nakahechi “Highland Area” of the Kumano Kodo? I will tell you about gourmet food and sightseeing spots!
Takahara, famous for its sea of clouds, is a settlement of 70 inhabitants located along the World Heritage Site Kumano Kodo in Wakayama Prefecture.
The Kumano Kodo has five major routes, and is located along the main street ‘Nakahechi’, which is said to have been walked by the largest number of people since ancient times.
The Kumano Kodo has been visited by many people, regardless of status, since the Heian period (794-1185) and is still loved by many people today as a power spot and trekking spot. The Kumano Kodo is also known as the ‘place of resurrection’, and walking along the sacred pilgrimage route will refresh your mind and body.
This issue thoroughly introduces the recommended spots in the Kogen area! We’ll tell you about sightseeing spots, delicious restaurants and accommodation!
Takahara area attractions.
The following are some of the must-see sights on the plateau that you should visit if you are walking along the Nakabe Road.If you are lucky, you may even see a sea of clouds!
Oldest shrine along the Kumano Kodo｜Takahara Kumano Shrine
The Takahara Kumano Shrine is the oldest remaining shrine along the Kumano Kodo, with a colourful shrine pavilion and a 1,000-year-old camphor tree.The size of the camphor tree is sure to surprise you!It is also a popular power spot along the Kumano Kodo.
This shrine was almost lost during the Meiji era (1868-1912) due to the Shinto-Buddhist syncretisation, but it was somehow spared and has survived to the present day.Please visit the Takahara Kumano Shrine, which has survived to the present day through a miracle.
The Takahara Fog Village Rest Area, which is next on the list, is also very close and should be visited in conjunction with the rest area.
Address.
〒646-1416 1120, Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Access.
From Takijiri bus stop, 1 hr 45 min walk along the Kumano Kodo.
parking lot
‘Takahara Fog Village Rest Area’ Parking. (free of charge, 15 vehicles).
Resting place at the Takahara ‘Kiri-no-sato (Foggy Village)’, where you can enjoy the too beautiful scenery.
The rest area ‘Kiri-no-Sato’ is equipped with a shop, toilets, a public telephone and a parking lot. It is a place where walkers along the Kumano Kodo can stop and rest.
As this is at an altitude of 300 m, it is also known as a lookout point from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hatenashi Mountains and beautiful terraced rice paddies. The best time to visit is at dusk! You can enjoy a beautiful sunset.
If the conditions are right, a sea of clouds can also be seen! If you want to see a sea of clouds, the day after it rains, when the temperature difference between day and night is extreme, is the most likely time. You can often see it early in the morning, so wake up early and go for a walk.
Address.
〒646-1416 1120, Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Parking lot
‘Takahara Foggy Village Rest Area’ Parking. (free of charge, 15 vehicles).
Get one-of-a-kind products with warmth｜Iwami Woodworks
How about a one-off piece of woodwork as a Kumano Kodo souvenir? From chopping boards and photo frames to beds made from Kishu cypress wood! This is a gallery where you can drop in casually.
The inn SEN.RETREAT, which we will introduce later, also uses desks and key holders made by Iwami Woodworks.
At the entrance is a sign made of wood saying ‘Feel free to look around’. Please stop by.
Opening hours.
8:30-17:00 (closed on Sundays).
Address.
〒646-1416 1150, Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Official website
https://www2.w-shokokai.or.jp/nakahechi/map/iwami.html
Delicious cafés and sweets in the highland area
When you walk to the Takahara area, it is nice to have a place to take a breather. Here are some recommended cafés and sweet shops in the Takahara area.
Small pastry shop on the mountain “meguru”
A small cake shop that currently only accepts reservations. It sells shortcakes and other cakes, cookies and other baked goods. The specialty of the shop is to make cakes tailored to each individual customer, and they are particular about not making the same cake!
Depending on the day, they sometimes sell their products at the Takahara ‘Fog Village’ rest area introduced earlier. You can find the latest information on Instagram, so check it out before visiting.
Reservations for cakes can be made by phone or via DM on Instagram.
It would be nice to stay at a nearby inn and have a surprise birthday party with a cake from meguru.
Address.
872-1 Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone.
0739-64-1667
https://www.instagram.com/meguru.cake/
Guest House & Coffee Keyaki Keyaki
You can enjoy both coffee and other coffee menus, as well as curry at Keyaki. The shop is located on a pathway in Nakahechi, making it the perfect place to stop by during a trek.
Coffee is carefully milled to order. Pound cake and other sweet treats are available after dinner. Curry is cooked with vegetables and fruits together. It is a great way to relax after a long day of trekking.
The restaurant is open on very limited days these days, so it is recommended to check beforehand whether it is open.
Address.
798-2, Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Phone.
0739-64-0991
Where to stay in the Takahara area? Recommended accommodation
If you are trekking from JR Kii-Tanabe Station to the Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine over a period of three days and two nights, Kogen is the perfect location for your first night’s accommodation.
We therefore recommend the following recommended accommodation in Takahara.
SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA
SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA, an inn for rent in a single building, opened in 2021 and was created by renovating an old private house. It is an uninhabited inn, so you can spend your time without worrying about other people’s eyes.
It is a perfect location for a trip along the Kumano Kodo, as it is a two-and-a-half-hour walk from the Nakahechi sightseeing spot ‘Takijiri Oji’ and an hour-and-a-half bus ride and walk from ‘Kumano Hongu Taisha’.
The meat, vegetables, sake, juice and snacks from Wakayama Prefecture prepared at the inn are all included in the accommodation fee, so you can enjoy them without worrying about the price. If you can’t finish your meal, you can take it home!
Enjoy the warmth of the wood in the spacious living room, or talk over a bonfire in the evening. At night, the sky is full of stars. You can see stars that you can’t see in the city.
Address
〒646-1416 1966 Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Access.
40 minutes by car from the Kamitonda IC, 45 minutes by car from JR Kii-Tanabe Station.
Official website
https://sen-retreat.com/stay/takahara/
Kirinosato Takahara
A 10-minute walk from SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA, introduced earlier, is Kirinosato Takahara. You can soak in hot water drawn from the nearby Watarase Onsen, so you can relax after your trek. The hot springs are heated by firewood from local thinning and feel soft on the skin.
The concept is ‘No borders, no language barriers here’. People from all over the world and Japan who have come to Kumano Kodo come here to interact with each other.
Guests staying at the SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA, introduced earlier, often use the onsen as a day trip.
Day spa opening hours
11:00-20:00 (Tuesdays from 15:00).
Amenity
Rinse-in shampoo, body soap.
One-day spa bathing fee
Adults 600 yen
Child 400 yen
Address.
〒646-1416 826 Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Access.
45 minutes by bus from JR Kii-Tanabe Station, 30 minutes by bus from JR Shingu Station.
Official website
https://kirinosato-takahara.com/sp/
Japanese inn (lodge) masala
The Japanese owner, who moved from Aichi Prefecture, and his French wife run Hatago Masara, which just opened in 2020! The couple, to their surprise, met on the Kumano Kodo. It is located close to the Takahara Kumano Shrine in the heart of the Takahara area, making it easy to get to.
The restaurant is a 60-year-old renovated private house with a ‘Japanese’ atmosphere, so you can take a breather and feel at ease. Meanwhile, the cuisine is handmade French home-style cooking. The mix of cultures is an attraction unique to Kumano Kodo, where people from many different countries visit.
Even if you are not staying overnight, you can have a cup of coffee, such as galette, cake or drink.
Address.
〒646-1416 1119-1, Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Access
40-minute drive from Kamitonda IC, 30-minute drive from Kurisugawa bus stop.
Official website
https://www.kumano-travel.com/ja/accommodations/hatago-masara
Hoshizora-no-yado
Last but not least is the log cabin cottage ‘Hoshizora-no-yado’. This cottage was opened by the owner, who is a star lover. The owner is a ume (plum) farmer, a speciality of Wakayama!
The rooms full of wooden warmth are charming. At night you can enjoy a drink while watching the Milky Way… what a luxury!
The cuisine is also made with care and attention to local produce. Please enjoy the delicious meat, sweetfish and vegetables to the full.
Private car transport service is also available. If you want to enjoy trekking but need a car on the way home, why not ask for this service?
Address.
〒646-1416 1154-7, Takahara, Nakaheji-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
Access.
40-minute drive from Kamitonda IC, 30-minute drive from Kurisugawa bus stop.
Official website
https://www.hoshizoranoyado.com/
Access to Nakahechi and Takahara
Let’s take a look at how to get to the Takahara by means of transport.
Trekking (on foot)
From Takijiri bus stop, 1 hr 45 min walk along the Kumano Kodo.
Access by private vehicle
From Kumano Hongu Taisha, approx. 45 mins via Route 311.
From Kamitonda IC, approx. 40 mins.
Access by public transport
40-minute drive from JR Kii-Tanabe Station.
Recommendations for things to do on the Takahara
See other articles for plans to enjoy the Nakahechi to the fullest, including the Takahara. Please refer to these as well!
People who want to enjoy trekking.
I’m not confident in my fitness… but I want to enjoy nature!If you want to enjoy nature!
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