The Tree That Answered: A Journey Along the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail

Some journeys test more than our legs.

They test our trust.

During our Kumano Kodo pilgrimage in Japan, our group of ten set out on the first day’s hike from Takijiri-oji to the small mountain village of Takahara.

The trail climbed steeply from the very beginning.

By the time we reached the trailhead, it was already mid-afternoon, leaving us only a few hours to complete the hike before darkness settled over the mountains.

Not long after we began, one of our group members, Jane, realized she couldn’t continue.

The climb was simply too difficult.

The safest decision was for me to walk her back down the mountain so she could take a taxi to our guesthouse.

The rest of the group continued ahead with our mountain guide.

Because I have never been very good with directions, I asked my dear friend Lynn to wait for me where we had separated. I knew that if I could find her again, together we could find the rest of the group.

I walked slowly down the mountain with Jane. After seeing her safely into the taxi, I hurried back up the trail, hoping to catch up with everyone before nightfall.

At first, I almost ran up the mountain.

Then I realized I no longer knew where I was.

The forest began to grow darker.

The insects filled the mountains with their chorus, so loud that it frightened me.

Every direction looked the same.

For the first time that day, I felt completely alone.

I was afraid.

I stood still for a moment.

Then I remembered that I could ask the trees for help.

In that moment, I trusted they would guide me.

I walked over to a nearby tree and placed both hands against its trunk.

Quietly, I asked,

“Please guide me to Lynn.”

I took a deep breath.

Then I simply kept walking.

One step.

Then another.

Trusting that somehow I would find my way.

A few minutes later, there was Lynn, still quietly waiting for me.

Relief washed over me.

Together, we hurried up the mountain.

By the time we reached the misty village of Takahara, the light was fading, but we had arrived in time for dinner, a warm bed, and grateful hearts.

Looking back, I don’t know whether the tree guided me.

I only know that, after I asked for help, I was no longer afraid.

Sometimes we think we walk through forests.

Perhaps, every now and then, the forest quietly walks with us. By

The morning after our climb, Takahara greeted us with drifting mist and soft mountain light.