Japan

Wakayama prefecture is home to Koyasan — one of the most popular places for pilgrimages for more than a thousand years. There are actually a few trails to Koyasan, but the original is the Koyasan Choishi Michi trail. The name comes from the fact that it has choishi along the way, stone signposts that make it extra easy to follow the trail. About the Trails Koyasan Choishi Michi trail starts at Kudoyama Station. It technically ends at Daimon Gate, although there are still markers to follow until you reach the Garan central temple complex. The entire trail is about 15 miles long and takes about six to seven hours to complete for most people. You’ll climb about 2,500 feet to reach the mountaintop plateau, but the majority of the climbing takes place in the first 3 miles. If you want a shorter hike, you can walk just part of the Koyasan Choishi Michi trail. For instance, you could start at Kosawa Station or Kii-Hosokawa Station. Alternatively, you could take one of the other trails. Fudozaka trail is only 1.5 miles, but it’s much steeper. The Women Pilgrims Course is 4.5 miles and takes you to Fudozaka-guchi Nyonindo, one of the…