The 1,000-year-old Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route is located in Wakayama Prefecture. It takes roughly eight days to travel more than 100 kilometers — approximately 148,000 steps — from Takijiri on the Nakahechi route to Mount Koya (Koya-san) along the Kohechi route. There are numerous inns accommodating pilgrims along the way, offering complicated breakfasts to get the ball rolling each morning, and satiating dinners at the end of each day.

Steps on the Dainichigoe path between Hongu Taisha and Yunomine Onsen | DAN RUBIN
Steps on the Dainichigoe path between Hongu Taisha and Yunomine Onsen | DAN RUBIN

Photographers Craig Mod and Dan Rubin completed the Kumano Kodo route in April 2016 and are now in the process of publishing a book of photographs on their experiences. We asked them to give us a few thoughts on their trek.