PRESS RELEASE

Press Release

"Hanare Journey" is a travel style that takes you a step away from the crowded tourist spots and touches the deep charm of Japan. Experience-based program "Musubibito ~ Cycling around the superb views of Yoko Seto and Kuchi Kumano with E-bike ~"

■What is "Musubibito"?

Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe is a hotel located in an area full of unknown charm that can be called "Hanare" in urban areas and tourist centers around Japan. The trip that is familiar with the superb view of nature and the traditions and culture rooted in the region is called "#Hananari Journey" and is proposed as a new style of travel.

The original experience-based program "Musubibito" will make this "#Hanari Journey" more memorable. This is an original experience-based program in which people who protect tradition and culture and disseminate the charm of the region are called “Musubibito” and this “Musubibito” guide introduces the charm of each region.

■#About the journey: https://accor-resorts-japan.jp/hanaretabi/
■About Musubibito: https://accor-resorts-japan.jp/musubibito/

■Background of the program

Grand Mercure Minabe's staff deeply sympathized with Mr. Seto, who serves as the guide for "Musubibito," his warm personality, his passion for cycling, and his passion for "I want more people to visit Wakayama" and "I want you to experience the wonderful nature of Kamitonda."

In addition to enjoying cycling, we also want you to experience the charm of Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage Site, as well as the cooperation and participation of the local guide group "Kuchi Kumano Kamitonda Guide Association". We had you develop a special course to stroll through Kumano Kodo in the middle.

■Musubibito, Yoko Seto Profile

Enchanted by the scenery and cycling environment of Kamitomida, he has been operating a cycle station "KMICH" since 2020. We are actively working to spread the cycling course "Kumaichi" that goes around Kumano. In addition, we have introduced a rental of mountain bikes with electric assists (e-bikes) for those who are not confident in their physical strength and those who want women to enjoy cycling casually.

I am guided by myself so that a wide range of people can enjoy the sense of accomplishment aiming for the goal while sweating and the sense of sprint unique to cycling. By giving lectures not only on the course explanation but also on how to use the E-bike and the traffic rules of bicycles, we will also pay attention to enjoying cycling safely. Musubibito is a popular person loved by cyclists who visit Kuchi Kumano with a bright and friendly personality.

“KMICH” official website https://kmich.jp/

Yoko Seto, who loves cycling and the nature of Kumano, and wants many people to visit this area.

■Point of the program

1.Run through the original course of "Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe" by e-bike

On this cycling tour, you will be asked to use a mountain bike and E-bike with electric assist. It is also attractive that even beginners cycling or those who do not usually exercise much can participate with peace of mind. Not only course explanation, but also operation methods and traffic manners will be taught firmly before the tour, so even beginners can start without anxiety.

This time, we will run about 20km course specially designed by Mr. Seto for "Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe". Although there is up and down of up to about 53m, it is an E-bike, so you can drive comfortably on the slopes. When you get used to it, you can drive at about 15 to 18 km / h, and you can enjoy a sense of accomplishment with pleasant sweat. You can refresh your mind and body by sharpening your five senses, such as scenery, wind, sound, and fragrance, which you can meet only by cycling.

2.Learn the world heritage "Kumano Kodo" from a professional guide

Kumano Kodo, one of the world heritage sites in Wakayama Prefecture, is a pilgrimage route for pilgrims aiming for Kumano Miyama. Usually, we walk on the Kumano Kodo and aim for Kumano Miyama, but this time we prepared a special course around the three ruins of World Heritage Sites during cycling. It is a greedy content that allows you to experience the exhilaration of running through rich nature and the sense of fulfillment that touches the history of ancient times at once.

The guides on the Kumano Kodo are the people of the Kuchi Kumano Kamitonda Guide Association.
A professional guide who has studied Kumano Kodo for many years, is still familiar with the literature, and conducts field surveys, will explain the history and background of each prince trace in an easy-to-understand manner.

 

In front of the last visit Prince Inaba, there is a "water scaling area". The 'water waking' is a purifying ceremony that was held on the Tonda River when visiting Kumano Kodo. It was believed that by bathing in water, removing the impurities of the body and purifying the body, all the sins of the past would disappear. At present, there is a place where you can experience scaling with your feet. After experiencing a part of the sacred practice of "water waking", take a break with Seto and the guides for seasonal sweets. The real pleasure of this tour is the time to talk while feeling the magnificent nature and history up close.

Feel the breath of people who are active in nature, history, and various lands, and the next is a program with the wish of becoming such a special opportunity, where the desire to walk slowly on the Kumano Kodo with their own feet expands.

3.Meet the superb view of "Kamitomida" called Kuchi Kumano

Superb view point 1 diving bridge

A diving bridge over the Tonda River where clear water flows smoothly. You will be healed by a picture-like landscape woven by the glittering water surface in response to the sun's light, with the green mountains spreading behind you as a borrowed view.

 Landscape of Diving Bridge
Nature felt by the five senses

Superb view point 2 Feel the season with the five senses

During cycling, you can feel the rich nature of Kamitomida up close. Looking at the trees where plums, a specialty product of this area, grew steadily, feeling the faint scent, the season when you see the lush rice fields filled with water and planted seedlings, listening to the voices of birds and cicada You can run through the rich nature of Kamitomida using your five senses, such as the season.

■Program Outline

Reservations start: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Start Date: Friday, July 4, 2025　※Held on Friday three times a month. Please contact the hotel for the date of the event.
Implementation time: 9:00～13:30
Price: 15,000 yen per person (tax included)
Contents: Mountain bike with electric assist (e-bike) rental + lecture
Seto's cycling guide, guided guide of Oji Shrine, sweets, water
Number of people: Up to 2-6 people
Target Age: Over 13 years old
Reservation & Details https://grand-mercure-wakayamaminabe-resortandspa.jp/plan/musubibito-ebike/

Remarks
・The program will be canceled if there is a light rain, warning announcement, or strong winds.
・If you are a minor, please be accompanied by a guardian.
・Application deadline: Until 14 days ago
・Cancellation fee: 7 days to 4 days before 30% from 3 days before to 100% on the day
※Cancellation due to weather or stormy weather (when the wind speed is 7m or more, rain is 1mm or more) will not be charged a cancellation fee.

 

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