Helping Develop Local Guides

The Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau kicked off a first-of-its-kind Kumano International Professional Guide Training on October 26 and 27 in Tanabe to support the development of local English guides in the Kumano area.

Making use of the lull in tourism caused by the spread of the coronavirus, the bureau proactively developed this training program to help local guides focus on areas they wanted to improve but couldn’t in the past and to hone their current skills while they have time on their hands.

The Bureau believes better guides encourage deeper cultural understanding and make better experiences for guests.

The 6-month program consists of two days of training related to a separate theme each month. The day in-seminar includes discussions, exchanges, and presentations followed by a firsthand experiential onsite training on the Kumano Kodo the next day.
In October, participants met at the community meeting space "tanabe en+" in front of Kii-Tanabe Station. The following day, they visited Tanabe sightseeing points such as Tokei-jinja Shrine, an area accommodation/cafe, memorial centers for Tanabe famous figures, while practicing skills they discussed previously in the seminar.

Participants are welcome to pick and choose which months they wish to join, but those attending all 6 sessions will receive a completion certificate.

Themes include “What kind of guide do you want to become?” “Storytelling” “Leadership Skills” “Safety” “Who is your guest?” “Professionalism, Tours”

The training continues this month on Friday and Saturday, November 26 & 27.

Registration and other information about the Kumano International Professional Guide Training.

TIMED ROAD CLOSURE (Kohechi)

National Highway 425 between Miura-guchi and Totsukawa Onsen will have timed road closures between October 12, 2021, and March 9, 2022, just south of Nishinaka bus stop. The Kumano Kodo Kohechi route between Miura-guchi and Totsukawa Onsen joins Highway 425 just north of the Nishinaka bus stop. (See KUMANO KODO KOHECHI Pilgrimage Route Map, p. 13)

Timed Closure Period: October 12, 2021 (Tuesday) to March 9, 2022 (Wednesday)
* Excluding Sundays and public holidays

Times the road is OPEN:
Until 8: 30
9: 50 to 10: 20
11: 50 to 12: 50
13: 50 to 14: 35
After 16: 30
For more detailed information: Totsukawa Village website

OBAKO-TOGE PASS DETOUR RE-OPENS (Kohechi)
The section of the Kumano Kodo Kohechi between Obake-toge Pass and Uenishi Remains has been re-opened as of September 30, 2021.

SHIOMI-TOGE PASS RE-OPENS (Tanabe City)
The trail near Shiomi-toge Pass on the Kumano Kodo Nagao-zaka Route between Nejiki-no-sugi and Shiomi-toge Pass has reopened as of October 1, 2021.
The Kumano Kodo stamp for Shiomi-toge is at the top of the pass next to the toilets.

For more information regarding Detours and Closures and other Kumano Kodo Tips & Safety information.

OBAKO-TOGE PASS DETOUR (Kohechi)
Due to landslides caused by recent heavy rainstorms, a detour has been put in place as of May 28, 2021, until further notice near the Obako-toge Pass on the Kumano Kodo Kohechi Route between Obako-toge Pass and Uenishi Residence remains. Obako-toge Pass is located between the settlements of Omata and Miura-guchi.

SHIOMI-TOGE PASS CLOSURE (Tanabe City)
As of June 2, 2021, a landslide has closed the trail until further notice near Shiomi-toge Pass on the Kumano Kodo Nagao-zaka Route between Nejiki-no-sugi and Shiomi-toge Pass. The Kumano Kodo stamp for Shiomi-toge Pass has been temporarily moved to the KUMANO KODO KAN Pilgrimage Centerat Takijiri-oji.

For more information regarding Detours and Closures and other Kumano Kodo Tips & Safety information.