Japan, Kumano Kodo

2026 · Japan · Kumano Kodo

The second of three Japans on the same trip, after Naoshima and before Tokyo. The Kumano Kodo is a network of old pilgrimage paths across the Kii Peninsula, walked for over a thousand years. We started from Koyasan and followed it through forest villages and onsen towns, and I photographed along the way: shrines in the trees, carp streamers over the stream, a monkey in a samurai shirt at a petrol station.

A traditional Japanese temple entrance framed by pink rhododendrons and red maple trees, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel

A woman in traditional Japanese clothing sits at a temple donation window with Japanese signage and religious offerings displayed, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel.

Ornate brass dragon spout with wooden ladles positioned over channels in a Japanese temple purification fountain, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel

A group of hikers walks across a wooden bridge through a forested ravine, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel.

A train station sign reading "Chayamachi" stands on an empty platform overlooking a Japanese town, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel.

Five people sit on a wooden floor inside a tent with geometric patterns and a cross, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel.

Japan, Kumano Kodo —

A man in traditional Japanese clothing sits on a wooden veranda looking out toward a garden, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel.

A monkey wearing a white t-shirt with samurai graphic stands indoors, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel.

A man wearing a cap and sunglasses holds a skateboard outside a residential building, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel

A person feeds red fish in a wooden tank with green water, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel.

Rocky outcrop with red torii gate on beach, forested mountains beyond, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel

Narrow forest trail winds through tall trees with dense green undergrowth and ferns, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel.

A narrow dirt footpath winds through a dense forest with tall trees and lush green ferns, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel.

A torii gate stands on the shore of a lake surrounded by forested mountains under cloudy skies, film photograph by Nicolò Pudel.