(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.

I hope this message finds you well.

The flowers along my morning running route have changed from red spider lilies to pampas grass—it truly feels like autumn has arrived.

Autumn is the season for good food, reading, and the arts. While it’s also a pleasant time for outdoor activities, my priority this season is cultural pursuits. Last week, I attended the Kōdō Oie-ryū Kenkō-shiki (The Ceremony of Offering Fragrant Woods) held annually at Ise Grand Shrine.

There are two major schools of Kōdō (The Japanese Art of Appreciating Fragrant Wood): the Shino-ryū and the Oie-ryū. In addition, there are several others, including the Andō-ke Oie-ryū, which I previously studied under.

The day before the ceremony, I first visited the Outer Shrine (Gekū) to pray. I also bought a charm for safe childbirth for one of our staff members who is expecting in November, and another for the safe travels of a guest currently visiting Japan.

 On the day of the ceremony, led by the Grand Master of our school, we were allowed to enter the Inner Shrine (Naikū) to worship. After that, the fragrant wood was offered to the deities and purified in a solemn ritual. It was a precious experience—more than 30 years have passed since I began working in the incense world, and I felt deeply grateful for this opportunity. Surrounded by the Chief Priests of Ise Grand Shrine and Izumo Grand Shrines, and many distinguished masters of Kōdō from all over Japan, I managed to complete this tense day without any major mistakes.

Since I had a meeting scheduled on Monday at the production factory in Wakayama, I decided to spend the weekend nearby. Then it came to me—I could walk the Kumano Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage trail. After the ceremony, I changed from kimono into shorts, rented a car, and drove straight to a small inn near Nachi Taisha Shrine. The next morning, I began my two-day trail walk across the Kii Peninsula (about 38.5 km).

The Kumano Kodo has been walked by pilgrims for over a thousand years. This time, I chose to follow the Nakahechi Route from start to finish. To make Wakayama my endpoint, I began the journey at Kumano Hongū Taisha, the traditional goal of the pilgrimage, where I bought a charm and offered my prayers.

In guidebooks and posters, the Kumano Kodo looks like a serene path where pilgrims in white robes walk gracefully through the woods—but in reality, there are some quite steep climbs! Of course, there are also long stretches of beautiful forest.

This is not just a trail—it’s truly a path of prayer and pilgrimage. I often found myself thinking of those who once walked here—retired emperors, poets like Fujiwara no Teika, and even Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Along the way, I saw many stone monuments engraved with poems.

The weather turned bad, and in the afternoon, heavy rain poured down—even deep in the forest, there was no escaping it. Eventually, I had to “ride on the dragon’s back” (that is, take a bus!) for one section. (laughs)

The second day also brought rain, but the previous day’s experience gave me courage, and this time I managed to complete the entire course on foot. I ended up covered in sweat, rain, and mud—but the sense of accomplishment afterward was truly refreshing. I think I’ll bring a pilgrimage stamp book next year and try another route.

When I think that people have been walking the Kumano Kodo for more than a thousand years—many of them perhaps 800 or 900 years ago, dressed in white robes and straw sandals—I can’t help but admire their endurance. Even with modern waterproof trail shoes, it was quite a challenge!

The factory in Wakayama has been one of our long-term partners. I can’t mention names, but they also produce incense for some of Japan’s oldest and most respected brands. During our meeting about next year’s production schedule, the conversation naturally turned to health—perhaps a sign that we’re both getting older! (laughs)

On my way back home, from the Shinkansen window, I was blessed with a view of the grand Harvest Moon.

Now, as I write this, I can hear crickets chirping outside. Tonight, I think I’ll read more about the history of the Kumano Kodo. Next year, I’d like to try walking a different route.