Early morning walk to a shrine

At KAI Nagato, during the peace and quiet of early morning, we hold a walk to a Shinto shrine. The sun rising from the mountains brightens the hot spring town amid the crisp, early morning air. While hearing the story of Nagato Yumoto hot spring's divine origin, enjoy this special time to refresh your mind and body.

■The legendary origin of Nagato Yumoto hot spring.

About 600 years ago in 1427, Zen master Jo-an of Taineiji Temple, near Nagato Yumoto hot spring town, discovered Nagato Yumoto as a hot spring gifted by the gods. He was tipped off by the god Sumiyoshi Daimyojin. Nagato Yumoto has the longest hot spring history in Yamaguchi Prefecture. During the early morning walk to the shrine, the KAI Nagato guide will take you along a route related to the origin of Nagato Yumoto hot spring and explain about the history.

■Visiting Sumiyoshi Shrine After learning about the history of Nagato Yumoto hot spring, we visit Sumiyoshi Shrine dedicated to Sumiyoshi Daimyojin, the god who spurred the discovery of the hot spring. We also have goshuin seal stamps as proof of your visit. The seal stamp is rare because it combines two Buddhist temples Taineiji and Koanji and a Shinto shrine, Sumiyoshi Shrine. A nice souvenir of your refreshing morning walk.

*The goshuin seal stamp requires a fee.