Let's walk the Kumano Kodo! Introducing the Fuden Pass route and explaining the mysterious phenomenon "FudenOroshi(MorningMist)"

Article production / Mie Travel Ambassador TAKA

~table of contents~

• Highlights of Fuden Pass
• Introducing the route to Kumano Kodo and Fuden Pass
• About access to the parking lot
• Introducing recommended spots in the surrounding area
• in conclusion

Highlights of Fuden Pass

Fuden Pass is one of the routes on the Kumano Kodo Iseji route, which connects IseJingu Jingu to Kumano Hongu Taisha.

This pass is located on the border between MihamaTown and Kiwa Town KumanoCity District, further south from Kumano City, and was once considered an important route connecting Kumano's seaside and mountain villages.

It was also a route used not only by pilgrims but also by people who delivered seafood to mountain villages and mountain villages to coastal villages.

Speaking of the most famous “specialty” here at Fuden Pass…

Isn't this the `` FudenOroshi(MorningMist)'' that can be seen in the Oroshi area?

`` FudenOroshi(MorningMist)'' is a natural phenomenon in which mist that occurs deep in the mountains flows down the mountain surface like a waterfall, and is mainly observed on days when there is a large difference in daytime and nighttime temperatures from October to March. It is said that it is more likely to occur the next morning or the morning after it rained the day before.

This morning fog develops to a height that exceeds the mountains, and when the wind blows towards the Oroshi side, FudenOroshi(MorningMist) occurs.

It is said that Fuden Pass got its name (Fuden Pass) because it is lower in altitude than the surrounding mountains and is a valley, and it is a path for the wind to pass through.

Introducing the route to Kumano Kodo and Fuden Pass

Now, I will introduce the route to Fuden Pass.

The distance from the starting point of Fuden Pass to the finish line of Fuden Pass is about 1 kilometer.

The distance from the parking lot, which I will introduce later, to Fuden Pass is about 3 kilometers.

The altitude is 257m, and there are no steep climbs or descents, making the route easy for beginners to walk.

To get to Fuden Pass, you will pass through part of the Kumano Kodo Iseji Route, so it may be a good idea to walk along the same path that people of the past would have walked in the Reiwa era while immersing yourself in the emotion. Right ^ ^

"For your reference"

This time we will introduce a round trip route with Fuden Pass as the goal.

Start from “Sagiri no Sato”

To start, park your car at Sagiri no Sato along National Route 311 and start walking.

~As a point of caution~

Please give a shout when parking at Sagiri no Sato.
If you are taking a bus, the nearest bus stop is Takachira Bus Stop.

Pass through a private house to the entrance

From Sagiri-no-Sato to the start of the climb to Fuden Pass, you will pass through a private house.

On this day, I left early in the morning, so I was able to walk while feeling the pleasant autumn breeze♪

There are kindly signs like this on the way to the trailhead, so I think it's easy to understand.

After about 15 minutes of walking as guided by the information signs, we arrived at the entrance to Fuden Pass.

From here, you'll enter the mountain, but it's a gradual climb, so I think it's okay even for people who aren't used to walking.

~As a point of caution~

Please note that the stone pavement on the road is covered with moss and can become slippery the day after a rainy day.

After Kumano Kodo, go to Fuden Pass

The route to Fuden Pass passes through part of the Kumano Kodo, which has been designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

On this day, the stones were slippery due to the rain the day before, so you can't tell from the photo, but I was a little nervous as I climbed (lol)

A stone monument called ``Hokaito'' is erected at Fuden Pass.

This area is said to have been a strategic base for Toyotomi Hideyoshi when he invaded Oku-Kumano in the past.

From here, we continue downhill to the next mountain pass, but this time we decided to end here and returned the way we had come.

About access to the parking lot

There is no parking lot near the entrance to Fuden Pass.

You can park your car at the nearby Sagiri-no-Sato, so just give us a call and we'll let you leave your car.

Introducing recommended spots nearby

Here are two recommended spots near Fuden Pass.

Sagiri no Sato Direct Sales Office

"Sagiri no Sato Direct Sales Office" is a direct sales office where you can purchase locally grown vegetables and rice, and the vegetables and fruits that were harvested that morning are displayed so they are fresh.

The store also carries mandarin oranges grown in MihamaTown is known as a town where you can grow mandarin oranges all year round.

Next to Sagiri-no-Sato, there is also ``Sagiri Chaya'' where you can enjoy hamburgers and fillet cutlets made with locally produced Iwashimizu pork, so why not enjoy some delicious food after walking along Fuden Pass?

Sagiri no Sato Direct Sales Office

Sagiri Chaya

Maybe you can see a common kingfisher? !

Also, did you know that there is a place near Sagiri no Sato where Asagi Madara visit?

The Asagi Madara gets its name from the mottled pattern on its wings that is a color close to light blue (called Asagi-iro).

It is known as a butterfly that travels approximately 1,000 kilometers from north to south across the Japanese archipelago from spring to fall, and on this day (late October), there were many Asagi Madara flying in!

MaruyamaSenmaida

MaruyamaSenmaida is one of the largest rice terraces in Japan, with more than 1,300 rice fields lined up in layers.

The scenery is breathtaking!

Additionally, around June to July every year, there is an event called ``Mushi Okuri'' in which torches are lit on the rice terraces to exterminate pests, and the fantastic scenery is well worth seeing.

in conclusion

How was it.

Kumano Kodo is a path that can be enjoyed even by people who don't usually walk, and Fuden Pass, which we introduced this time, is one such place.

One of its characteristics is that there are not many ups and downs like mountain climbing.

Please take a walk if you are interested.