Beginner mountain climbers can feel at ease with a guide. ``Shirataki Moriyo'' where you can climb Mt. Gyoja in Ise-Shima and learn about beauty and health

The meeting place is in front of Shirataki Morino Chaya at Shirataki TobaCity oaki konochi (hereafter referred to as Shirataki-san) in Funatsu, Mie Prefecture. After doing some preparatory exercises, we first went to pay our respects to Shirataki-san.

Shirataki is said to be a sacred place where ascetic ascetics once practiced, and whose object of worship is Gyoshayama, which we are about to climb.
It is also one of the mountains where Kukai, famous as Kobo Daishi, trained. As a result, there are many spots associated with Shugen monks, such as Kobo Rock, where Kukai is said to have practiced meditation, and the statue of En no Gyosha near the top.
Shirataki-san is also the only spot in Ise-Shima where you can go to a waterfall.

The person who will guide you through "Shirataki Moriyo" is Kyoko Hanai from Ise Shima Kirei Genki Juku in Uramura-cho TobaCity City.
Ms. Hanai is a beauty and health expert with qualifications such as a dietary coordinator and a Tai Chi Qigong exercise instructor.

After visiting the shrine, I first checked the map of Mt.
The height of Mt. Gyoja is approximately 309 meters, and even beginners can reach the top in about an hour. The nearby Mt. Mt.Asama, which the Ise-Shima Skyline passes through, is about 555 meters high, so it is one of the mountains in Ise-Shima that is the easiest for beginners to climb.
However, there is no such thing as easy mountain climbing in this world. Be sure to pack light clothing, hiking shoes, a towel to wipe your sweat, and something to drink before heading to the top of Mt.

When climbing Mt. Gyōja, a unique point is that ``the tour participants lead the way up the mountain.''
Gyōjayama is a mountain that many ascetic ascetics have climbed, but it is a natural mountain in its own right. Participants will climb the mountain by identifying paths where rainwater may have flowed and animal trails.
If you have no sense of direction and are worried that you might get lost, don't worry.

There is a ``red tape'' mark on the tree. It's surprisingly fun to find the red tape and follow the pathless path as if you were on a treasure hunt.
If you can't find the red tape, the guide who is watching over you at the end will send a rescue boat.

It feels so good to walk while bathing in the sunlight filtering through the foliage, listening to the sound of the trees swaying, the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and your own breathing.
Pass through fallen trees, find wild boar footprints, and watch rare birds take flight.
You can encounter a scene from nature.

At the beginning of the climb, there is a steep incline, so I was worried, wondering if I could really make it. The fluffy ground covered with branches and leaves reduces the strain on your feet, making walking easier than you might imagine.
Mr. Shirataki's cane was also very useful from the start.

When I arrived at the checkpoint, ``Gyojayama's big steel tower,'' I felt a sense of relief and took a deep breath.

After replenishing your hydration and taking a breather, you will be greeted by the colorful natural scenery of Mt. Gyoja's famous ``Ubamegashi colony'' and ``Toba townscape and ocean view.''

``Ubamegashi is a tree that is also used as a raw material for the highest quality binchotan charcoal.There are many ubamegashi trees in the Kii Peninsula, from Ise-Shima to Wakayama.''

Ubamegashi is an evergreen broad-leaved tree with lush leaves. Warm sunlight was spilling through the intersecting branches.
While looking around you, slowly walk through the tunnel of beautiful ubame oak trees that seem to be guiding you to your destination.

Then, I discovered a natural window that let in a lot of light.
Just like a painting, the scenery of the Kamo River flowing through Toba, the town, the sea, Anra Island, Sakate Island, Toshi Island, and other islands spread out.
Depending on the weather, you may even be able to see the Chita Peninsula further back.
``We had climbed to such a high place before we knew it,'' he said, a little surprised.

Just a short distance from the top, we could see the destination of Mt. Gyōja, En no Gyōsha Shrine.

Engyoja is the founder of Shugendo. Shugendo, which has been passed down since the Nara period in the 7th and 8th centuries, is a teaching that teaches that nature itself is the god, and that people can be saved by climbing mountains and training themselves through rigorous training.
There is a statue of En no Gyosha inside the shrine.

After taking a short break and placing my hands on the statue of Ennogyo, who has a strong eye,

Continuing ahead, we reached the summit at 309m. Learn the teachings of Oriental medicine while descending the mountain.

Next, the trail changes completely and becomes a steep descent, where you can descend down the steep slope along the rope at once, giving you a thrilling feeling.

Arrived at the road that leads to Shirataki-san!
The reason walking on asphalt roads is difficult is because the mountain path absorbs the strain on your body.

``You can see the big steel tower of Mt. Gyoja that we climbed over there.''

The two couldn't hide their surprise as they said, "We climbed all the way up there and came back? I can't believe it!"
You will be surprised to find that the shrine with the Engyosha statue is located further up the left.

Once you arrive safely in front of Shirataki Morinochaya, you can do ``Yuru Exercises'' to reduce fatigue and avoid muscle pain.
Rotate and shake to loosen up areas where muscle pain tends to remain, such as shoulders and hamstrings that are stiff due to backpacking.

After you cool down your body with ``yuru gymnastics'', it's about time for you to get hungry.

Move to "Acorn Hut", which is a 3-minute walk from Shirataki Morinochaya.
With its retro appearance and many tools, ``Acorn Hut'' will take you back in time.
Urged by our grumbling stomachs, we light the fire in the oven and start cooking the rice.

The firewood is from Shirataki's thinnings. Fire-blowing bamboo is used to light the fire in the stove. As I blew my breath, the fire grew stronger and stronger.

When the steam starts to smell like sweet rice and a slightly burnt aroma, it's a sign that the rice is cooked. Piping hot Kamado rice was ready in about 30 minutes.
It's okay if it gets a little burnt. You can enjoy the crispy rice cracker-like texture.

done!
Toba is unique in that it uses plenty of local ingredients from the sea and mountains, such as Imaura miso, Toshijima wakame, Hanai family's special pickles and rice.

While enjoying this simple meal, you will conclude your "Shirataki Moriyoi" and receive a health care lecture from your guide.

When we hear the term "recipe," it sounds a little difficult, but there are many easy-to-follow diet regimens that involve slowly chewing and chewing the white rice we cooked ourselves, as well as regimens that are useful for beauty and health.

You can learn practical health secrets to take care of your body while looking back on your mountain climbing experience on Mt. Gyojayama.

After finishing "Shirataki Moriyoi", what you should try is the local parfait of "Shirataki Mori no Chaya".
Even if you're full, the parfait is a different experience.
Let's take a look back at the great nature of Mt. Gyoja while admiring the location surrounded by greenery and being soothed by the extremely popular Morino Parfait.

Also, if you would like to pick up some local souvenirs, stop by Okashishi Umenie Honten, a 5-minute drive from Shirataki-san.
Shiosai Mochi, which won a gold medal at the National Confectionery Expo 2008, is Toba's specialty mochi, made of strained bean paste wrapped in a slightly salty skin and sprinkled with green seaweed.
You can purchase items such as seasonal fresh sweets (from 170 yen) and ancient mochi wrapped in zunda bean paste.

A tour where you can visit Mr. Shirataki, climb Mt. Gyōja with a guide, eat rice cooked on your own stove, and learn about taking care of yourself while taking care of your body.
Escape from everyday life and spend time in the Shirataki forest to reflect on your mind and body, which you are not usually aware of.
Why not go on a mountain climbing tour in Ise-Shima that is safe even for beginners, combining the waterfall experience, Shirataki Morinochaya, Umenoya Honten and other nearby spots?


<Shirataki Moriyo>
Required time: 4 hours 9:00-13:00
Meeting place/experience place: In front of Shirataki Morinochaya
Price: 3000 yen (excluding tax) (guide and lunch included)
Number of people who can make a reservation: 2 to 8 people
Please bring a towel, change of clothes, and drinks. Reservations must be made by 5:00pm the day before.


<Shirataki oaki >
Address: Funatsu-cho TobaCity, 517-0045
Phone number: 090-3382-7079 (Funatsu Shirataki oaki Hosankai)
Official website: http://shiratakisan.jp/
Official SNS: https://www.instagram.com/shirataki.san/
Business hours: 10:00-16:00
Access by public transportation: 15 minutes walk from Kintetsu Funatsu Station
Access by car: Approximately 20 minutes from Ise IC via Ise Futami Toba Line
Parking: Yes
Management: Shirataki Acorn Hut Association


<Shirataki Morinochaya (Cafe)>
Address: 517-0045
635-3 Funatsu-cho, TobaCity Mie Prefecture
Phone number: 080-8976-9515
Official website: https://shiratakisan.jp/top/morinochaya/
Official SNS: https://www.instagram.com/shirataki.morinochaya/
Business hours: 10:00-16:00
Closed: Mondays, Sundays, may be open during major holidays
Access by public transportation: 15 minutes walk from Kintetsu Funatsu Station
Access by car: Approximately 20 minutes from Ise IC via Ise Futami Toba Line


<Ume-no-ya main store (Japanese sweets shop)>
Address: 517-0045
521 Funatsucho TobaCity Mie Prefecture
Phone number: 0599-25-2905
Official SNS: https://www.instagram.com/umenoya252905/
Business hours: 8:30-18:00
Closed: Wednesdays (open on public holidays, Obon, Higan, etc.)
Access by public transportation: 10 minutes walk from Kintetsu Funatsu Station
Access by car: Approximately 18 minutes from Ise IC via Ise Futami Toba Line