I was very happy to see these big shrines. I knew it will be Hongu. Finally! I remembered how it looks like from photos I found in guide books. In mist and rain it looked so lovely and romantic, so very Japanese...

Hongu Taisha is located at the center of the Kumano Kodo. I read that existance of shrine was first documented in the 9th century. Due to floods in 1889, the shrine was moved from Oyu no Hara to its present site. In front of Oyu no Hara stands the biggest torii gate in the world, which, at 33 meters tall.Looks very impressive indeed.

Normally to get to the shrine people must climb up long stairs, but I made all in my way and arrived from oposite side. I crossed one gate to enter to fist sacred area and then I have seen smaller shrines and other buildings and there was another gate. Behing the door I have seen my temple. It is very beautiful and misterious. Looked so old and special. I am crazy about Japanese temples and shrines, but this one is one of my favourite. Another one is Kiyomizudera in Kyoto...

I took some photos, but there was so many people. It is alwasy so anoying for me. Perhaps because I am kind of jelous...sounds funny, I know. It is "my" Japan and "my" shrine so I want to admire all alone. If possible. This place fits to Susanoo and to me too.

Another thing which is great in Wakayama prefecture are onsen- hot springs.There are three onsen  near Hongu: Yunomine, Kawayu and Wataze. The first two are small onsen towns and Wataze  consists of a single hotel complex, which has the largest outdoor bath in western Japan. The bath is also open to non staying guests.I would love to go there but I was too poor to pay for such pleasure.

Kawayu Onsen is a unique hot spring town located along a river. To use the onsen, people dig a hole in the gravel riverbank into which hot spring water flows. Cool river water is mixed with the hot water and we can decide what temperature is best for us simply stopping river water from floating into our hole. How? We just build a wall from river stones and sand. It is fun! And it is available for free public use.Fantastic! I tried this...even if it was October. I know I am crazy but I had to. It was rainy a bit so I had water on my head and water around me...but so nice and warm. Some people took photos and laugh.

Onsen which i wanted to see too was Yunomine Onsen. It has such a long history that one of its baths, Tsuboyu, is designated as a world's heritage. Tsuboyu is one of two public bathhouses in Yunomine.But I did not go there. I just have seen through window of bus to Tanabe, when I was coming back.

It was amazing time. Three fantastic days. I must come back to Kumano forest. It is waiting ...