Central Area Day Walk Course

The Yakiyama-goe, standing at an elevation of 647 m, was once considered a “difficult passage,” where wolves and bandits were said to appear. However, it is also a path where deep history comes alive, with unique landmarks such as the Choishi Milestone that amuse travelers, the Kagotateba Palanquin Site where lords of the Kishu Domain rested, and the contributions of Seijun Shonin, who supported the Shikinen Sengu of Ise Jingu during the turbulent Warring States period. There are also the Pilgrims Memorial Monuments for those who collapsed along the way, unable to fulfill their wishes.

Near the mountain pass, Kojin-do has been protected by ascetic monks for over a thousand years. As a Mae-fudasho of the Saigoku Pilgrimage, its teahouse was said to have thrived.

With guidance from modern predecessors and local storytellers, the charm of the Yakiyama-goe will deepen even further.

*Text by storyteller Koji Yamawaki