Alena Eckelmann

@alena.eckelmann

Founder of Kii Monogatari, my story and the story of the Kii Peninsula of Japan. Originally from East Germany, I came to Tokyo, via Berlin and London, in 2005. In summer 2011 I moved by choice to remote Kumano in the south of the Kii Peninsula where I live, work and play now, and explore every day.

The whole of the Kii Peninsula is a Healing Hub for me with its abundance of forest, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, the ocean, friendly rural communities and sacred places. This is where nature meets spirituality, and tradition meets sustainability, the new paradigm for travel post-pandemic.

My deep interest is in Japanese nature & spirituality. I love being in nature, in the forest and in the mountains, and I love spending time at temples and shrines. I am building my life and my work around these two passions.

I am a Licensed Forest Therapy (Shinrin Therapy) Guide and a Licensed Kumano Kodo and Koyasan Guide. I am also a Licensed Retreat Facilitator and I am planning retreats on the Kii Peninsula.

Last but not least, I have been the Japan Travel Partner for Wakayama and Yamagata from the conception of the platform in 2011 to mid-2022, and remain a Japan Travel expert for these two prefectures! Wakayama and Yamagata are close to my heart because they are the centers of Shugendo, a spiritual tradition of mountain ascetism. I am a Shugendo Practitioner for over ten years now and received Tokudo in 2016 at a Shugendo temple on Yoshinoyama.

Please kindly connect via my Facebook Page Kii Monogatari.

Take care, keep well, stay safe!

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The Green Pheasant - Japan's National Bird

Did you know that the Green Pheasant is Japan's National Bird? This pheasant is endemic to Japan and one can still see it roaming..

Wakayama 2 4

Activities

Iriomote-Okinawa Adventure Island

Iriomote-Okinawa Adventure Island

Okinawa 1

Culture

Bladesmiths of Sakai

There are 75 families members of the Sakai blade-making guild. Their workshops are located in the old part of Sakai, a stretch of..

Osaka 4 2

Activities

Forest Therapy

Forest Therapy has gained popularity internationally in recent years as a recognized health management practice. The roots of ..

50 7

Activities

Waterfall Hike and Meditation with Ancient Roots

Combining nature appreciation with spiritual experiences on your holiday is emerging as a post-Corona trend. Visitors to Japan..

Mie 15 5

Activities

Japan in Summer 2013 - My Coolest Trip Ever

Virginia from Spain was amongst the selected applicants for the Japan Travel Photojournalism Internship in summer 2013. She came..

Wakayama 3 7

Accommodation

Temple Camp in Kumano

Temple Camp or Temple Hotel, staying at Daitai-ji temple in Kumano, Wakayama, you can enjoy sauna and Zen near the famous Nachi..

Wakayama 20 6

Activities

One Day in Nachi-Katsuura

In Kii-Katsuura Town in the south of the Kii-Peninsula there is a tuna auction rivaling Tsukiji and a bay cruise rivaling Matsushima...

Wakayama 5 3

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Alena's Japan

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Culture

Homma Museum

Hannah Warren

A large Japanese house and garden in Sakata, with a museum of local art attached.

Yamagata 1

Culture

Togashi Candle Shop

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A nice way to get crafty with candles in Tsuruoka.

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Activities

Sunflowers in Haguro

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These fields in Haguro are bursting with beautiful sunflowers.

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Shopping

Hirashimizu Shichiemon Pottery

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Shichiemon in the Hirashimizu pottery district is a beautiful place to get creative or do some shopping.

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