It is quite tough to climb on Japanese mountains. Man must go straight up and it is really exhausting. Sometimes I could not walk much and had to stop for small rest.
Japanese were running forward without any symptoms of tiredness, amazing.

Kumano forest is beautiful but severe. Ground is covered with rocks and thin layer of soil, some moss. This is special, holly place for Japanese because they believe that this forest is a house of kami, gods. I think it may be, because I felt this place is mysterious and special.

During my walk I could see many smaller and bigger statues of Jizoo. He protects travellers and children and is my favourite, because of his cute, good face, sometimes smiling. Japanese dress statues of Jizoo in children clothes and his bold head is covered by funny red or pink hats, so he looks like baby. It is because actually he protects little babies and children who died and stay with them in Buddhist after world.

Jizoos and lots of small, tiny temples are kind of road sign and it is easy to find the way. After first two hours of hardship, my body used to climbing and I felt much better and walk faster. Fast enough to come to Chikatsuyu much earlier than I should.

And I made decision to walk more this day, so I missed opportunity to see this place more. All I did was crossing the village and making small shopping. I just bought energy drink in vending machine. Vending machines are my salvation because they are everywhere, even in smallest village so I could buy water or other drinks every time I needed..

It was easier to walk from Chikatsuyu. I had to go simply following public road and going through some villages. It is hard life there and farmers must work a lot. But it is so peaceful place and most of time I could not see anybody, occasionally some school kids or farmers wives working in gardens.
This is real Japan and I felt almost like in old days.