Kumano-kodo ー
熊野古道
Kumano-kodo is a road of pilgrimage around the Kii Peninsula in Kansai region and considered a World Heritage. There is deep forest where it is said that the God lives, shrines surrounded by fog, small villages, and the shore full of changes await for you with their beauties. The Japanese believe that gods dwelled in the mountain, the waterfall, the huge tree, the huge rock for a long time and worshiped them. Because three shrines called Kumano Sanzan(three mountains),Kumano Hongu-taisha, Kumano Nachi-taisha, and Kumano Hayatama-taisha play key roles of belief. There are few accessible routes. You should decide a departure spot in consideration of schedule.
Access and Getting Around
There are various routes and different transportations going around the Kii Peninsula accordingly, anyway it is necessary to take a bus to the entrance of the Kodo and staying a night is essential because it is not easy to get.
Features
-Shrines
There are many Kumano Shrines all over the country and this one is the head temple.the shrine itself is relatively new as a rebuilt building,but all the approach to a shrine spreading out from the biggest Torii in Japanmake in the atmosphere of the shrine in the forest....
-Shrines
It is a hallowed ground built for nature worship of the waterfall of Nachi nearby as the Godwhich is located in Nachikatsuura-cho at the south end of the Kii Peninsula.There is a three-storied tower painted in red at the end of stairs and the scene of the waterfall of Nachi viewedfrom the tower are an atmosphere appropriate for the hallowed ground.A bus gets to Nachi shrine, but what we want to re...
-Specific Nature
It is a waterfall with a fall of 133 meters, the width of 13 meters and the depth of the basin of 10 meters.It is the biggest fall of waterfall in Japan and what is the best one is its flowing through the forest.Hiryu Shrine is in the opposite of the waterfall which is the observing spot of the waterfall.It is such a beautiful waterfall that it helps people know the reason why it is admired as God...
-Shrines
It is in Shingu City neighboring Nachi-katsuura and it is the only one in the downtown among three shrines,whose green makes a different feeling that it is in the downtown....
-Shrines
It is shrine where a huge rock called Gotobiki is worshiped as the Godand it is accessible from Hayatama-taisha on foot, so you are recommended to stop by here.Though you have climb steep stairs, you may feel pleasant spirituallyand the view of the sea from here is splendid....
-Outdoor Activities
Nakahechi Route:The most commonly-used route among the five.Kohechi Route:A steep long mountain route connecting Koyasan with Kumano Ohechi Route: A shore line route connecting Tanabe to Nachikatsuura.Omine-okugake:A route opened as an ascetic practices ground formerly, and the steepest, most rugged route among the five routes.Iseji Route:A downtown route connecting Ise Shrine with Hayatama-taisha...
From Kobiro Pass to Kumano Hongu
-Outdoor Activities
A representative route and highlight of Nakahechi Route.The 7-8-hour route of 18 km goes through three mountain passes in the remote forest far away from the houses and roads.If you choose one route among the five routes, it is recommended in consideration of accessibility....
From Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu
-Outdoor Activities
It is a route on the way from Kobiro Pass to Hongu-taisha which is suitable for those who do not have enough time.It is the most popular of all routes. It is 7 km long and takes 3 hours....
From Totsugawa to Kumano Hongu
-Outdoor Activities
It is a 15 km long route as a part of Kohechi Route passing over mountain passes, which takes 5 hours.There is a village called “Hatenashi” the Village of the Heaven on the way,you may feel the original scenery of mountain village of Japan while walking on the trail,which may be called the Essence of the Kumano-kodo.Totsugawa-mura is a village along a deep valley in the mountain.The scenery of the...
From Kumano Hongu to Kumano Hayatama
-Outdoor Activities
It is a route called "the Prayer Way of the River “going down the Kumano River,and go down to Kumano-hayatama-taisha by boat.Taking a bus bound for Kumano Kawabune Center(Kumano River Barge center), Hitari Bus Stop,then going down the river by boat is commonly used now....
Accommodation around Kumano-kodo
