I will answer some simple questions that come up when walking the Kumano Kodo, based on my experience.
Q:
I’m doing the KK mid October and wondering if it’s easy enough to buy energy bars in Kyoto prior or should I bring that sort of thing from Australia. Hate them super sweet and thought local ones might be.
A:
I don’t know what Australian energy bars are like, but I think Japanese ones are pretty sweet too.
There are also energy bars at the 7-Eleven in Kii-Tanabe station, but they are few in number and variety, so we recommend that you buy them in Kyoto in advance.
In Kyoto, it is available at convenience stores and drugstores.
On the Kumano Kodo trail, it is difficult to find energy bars because there are very few stores, but you may be able to find them at A-COOP (grocery store) in Chikatsuyu, although they are not as plentiful.
There are also small convenience stores in the Hongu area.
The first is near the torii gate of the Hongu Taisha shrine and the second is near the Ukegawa bus stop which is close to the trailhead of Kogumotorigoe.
Both are called “Yamazaki Y Shop”.
They are closed on Wednesdays, but please note that they may be closed on other days as well.