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 since the conception of the platform in 2011! These two prefectures 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!

Following Follow

Reports

Popular
Latest

Activities

Trekking on Mount Zao

Zao Mountain - Trekking across a volcanic landscape in summer and skiing in winter, plus winding down in hotspring waters.

Yamagata 3

Activities

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 1 4

Culture

Ginzan Onsen in Winter

Taisho era-style Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture let's you travel back in time

Yamagata 67 10

Activities

Zao Snow Monster Festival

Early Feb

The Zao Snow Monsters rival Nagano's Snow Monkeys in popularity and they are one of Japan's winter attractions not to be..

Yamagata 1 3 Free

Food

Making Kakinoha-zushi at Kuwaraku

Kuwaraku restaurant in Kudoyama Town at the base of Koyasan has specialized in Kakinoha-zushi. Enjoy a sushi-making experience here..

Wakayama 4 5

Culture

Tono Furusato Village in Autumn

To learn more about the culture and tradition in the Tono area of Iwate Prefecture, a visit to the Tono Furosato Village is highly..

Iwate 6 2

Accommodation

Meeting Friends at the ANSA Okinawa Resort

ANSA Okinawa Resort is a hotel in Uruma City, Okinawa, where locals and visitors meet. Come here for workation, for a family outing..

Okinawa 2 2

Transportation

Road Trip to Kimino

Surprises on a road trip to the secluded Kimino area in the north of Wakayama Prefecture: a rural scenery with empty roads, less..

Wakayama 3 6

View All Articles

Gallery

Alena's Japan

Liked by Alena

Culture

Meet a Traditional Lacquerware Craftswoman

Yoshi Hirasawa

Kanagawa 7 7

Culture

Tono Furusato Village in Autumn

Alena Eckelmann

To learn more about the culture and tradition in the Tono area of Iwate Prefecture, a visit to the Tono Furosato Village is highly..

Iwate 6 2

Activities

Kumano "Off The Map" hiking trails

Virginia Gonzalez

Kumano, in the Wakayama prefecture, counts with numerous "off the map" hiking trails which, due to the lack of tourism flow in the..

Mie 1

Culture

Kyushu Travel Guide: Video

Japan Travel

Kagoshima 5 4

View all

Start writing for Japan Travel and become an influencer!

Share your experience and passions with Japan’s biggest community and increase your point mileage for every article that you write! Read More

Start Writing Now!