Kumano Kodo

三重県

4.2

Tourist Information of This Area

general.prefecture.

Kumano Sanzan pilgrimage route

The Kumano Kodo is a general term for pilgrimage routes that lead to the Kumano Sanzan and is registered as a World Heritage Site under the name "Kumano Pilgrimage Routes". It is perfect for enjoying trekking, with multiple routes and different attractions on each course. Beginner courses are also available, so you can enjoy it even if it's your first time or you come multiple times.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic ActivityNature

Highlights

Point 1

Experience the History and Culture of the Kumano Kodo Trail

The Kumano Kodo Trail is a path that conveys ancient Japanese culture and faith, stretching from Wakayama Prefecture to Mie Prefecture. Walking the Kumano Kodo Trail allows you to feel both nature and history. There are many shrines and temples such as Kumano Sanzan, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Hongu Taisha, which you can visit. Additionally, the Kumano Kodo Trail has abundant nature such as mountains, clear streams, waterfalls, and hot springs, offering activities such as hiking, trekking, and hot spring tours. The Kumano Kodo Trail is a place where you can experience Japanese culture.

Point 2

Enjoy a Natural Walk to Admire the Beautiful Scenery of Kumano Kodo

Kumano Kodo is a place rich in nature, with beautiful scenery stretching out before you. In particular, spots such as Nachi Falls and the Yoshino-Kumano National Park are famous for their breathtaking views. Additionally, there are many hot springs in the area, making it a great destination for combining a natural walk with hot spring hopping. This is a recommended spot for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts, as you can walk while feeling the beauty of Kumano Kodo's nature.

Point 3

Discover the Charm of the Kumano Kodo at the Kumano Kodo Center

At the Kumano Kodo Center, you can learn about the Kumano Kodo. There are also history and culture courses, lectures, and other events related to the Kumano Kodo. In addition, there are experience classes that anyone from young children to adults can easily participate in. The center is located on a hill overlooking Owase Bay, offering a magnificent view. If you want to learn more about the Kumano Kodo, be sure to visit the center.

Point 4

Enjoy a Journey of Delighting in the Gourmet Food of Kumano Kodo

There are many exquisite gourmet foods around the Kumano Kodo. Local seafood, mountain vegetable dishes, and Japanese sweets are famous in the Kumano Kodo. Kumano beef is also one of the specialty products and can be enjoyed deliciously. Furthermore, as it is also a hot spring area, it is recommended to try the local cuisine of Kumano Kodo in the hot spring town. It is also recommended to travel around the Kumano Kodo while enjoying dishes made with local ingredients.

Point 5

Seasonal Events are Held

At Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine on the Kumano Kodo, various seasonal events and festivals are held. On New Year's Day, the Kumano Hongu Shrine Kaishin-sai Festival is held, where you can open the doors of each main shrine and greet the gods for the new year. It's popular because you can receive blessings from the beginning of the year. In November, a lively event called the Kodama Festival is held, where you can watch shows and dances. Why not participate in the events at Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine and receive blessings? For more information on events, please check the website.

Point 6

Healing Tiredness with a Hot Spring Trip on the Kumano Kodo

Kumano Hongu Onsen, located in a part of the Kumano Kodo, is a hot spring resort that has been loved by many people since ancient times. Please enjoy a moment of healing and revival from the inside out, after a long journey here. In particular, Yunomine Onsen, located at the center of the hot spring resort, is attractive with its public bath and "tsubo-yu" registered as a World Heritage Site. The public bath has general baths, medicinal baths, and family baths, and it's also possible to take home hot spring water at the hot spring collection site. Tsubo-yu is a valuable hot spring that can be used in a natural rock bath, with a 30-minute rotation system. The spring quality of Yunomine Onsen is a sulfur-sodium-hydrogen carbonate spring, which is effective for rheumatic diseases, neuralgia, skin diseases, diabetes, and more. Let's refresh our minds and bodies by soaking in the hot springs of Kumano Hongu Onsen during a journey on the Kumano Kodo.

Point 7

The Beautiful Kumano Kodo All Year Round

Kumano Kodo is a nature-rich spot that offers beautiful scenery all year round. In spring, the cherry blossoms at Kumano Hongu are in full bloom, creating a stunning sight. In autumn, the trees are dyed in beautiful autumn colors, and many people visit to hike under the beautiful foliage. Additionally, the sunrise and sunset are also very beautiful, so they are highly recommended. Kumano Kodo is a perfect spot to experience the beauty of nature.

Point 8

Numerous Beautiful Waterfalls that Evoke a Sense of Nature

There are several beautiful waterfalls along the Kumano Kodo. "Otaki-san" in the Seikawa valley, a tributary of the Kumano River, is an elegant waterfall standing 20 meters tall. There is a spacious basin near the waterfall, where a Jizo (a Buddhist statue) is also enshrined. The sound of the waterfall echoes off the 50-meter-high cliff behind it, creating a mystical atmosphere. This waterfall is also a hidden gem that can only be seen from the mouth of the falls. The Ota Canyon, starting from Mt. Ota (1,112m), offers a beautiful natural landscape with a view of the Kumano Sanzan Mountains, featuring unique rocks and cliffs. According to an old legend, two large cedar trees grew from the branches of a tree that Kobo Daishi, a famous Buddhist monk, stuck into the ground for his lunch here. Come and visit the waterfalls of the Kumano Kodo, where you can feel the beauty of nature.

Access

Access to Kumano Kodo

Access to Kumano Kodo is available by taking a flight from Haneda Airport to Nanki Shirahama Airport (70 minutes), followed by a direct bus to Kumano Hongu (140 minutes). If traveling via Nagoya, take the Shinkansen to Nagoya, then the JR Limited Express "Wide View Nanki" to Shingu (about 210 minutes), and finally a local bus to Kumano Hongu (about 60 minutes). If traveling via Shin-Osaka, take the Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka, then the JR Limited Express "Kuroshio" to Kii-Tanabe Station (about 130 minutes), and finally a local bus to Kumano Hongu (about 120 minutes). Access is also available from Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo, so please come and visit!

History

A Moving Pilgrimage to an Ancient Sacred Site

The Kumano Kodo is a pilgrimage route known as "Kumano Mairi" since ancient times, which visits the three shrines of Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha. During the Heian period, the Kumano Gyoki, which was carried out by emperors, empresses, and court ladies, including Emperor Uda, was carried out dozens of times, and many people visited Kumano. For this pilgrimage, visitors started from Kyoto and went down the Yodo River, landing around Temmabashi, then walked along the coastlines of Tennoji, Sakai, Kishiwada, Wakayama, and Gobo. They then went down to Tanabe and headed for Hongu Taisha via a road called "Nakahechi." After that, they went down the Kumano River by boat, visited Hayatama Taisha in Shingu, and then visited Nachi Taisha along the Nachi River while following the coastline. Finally, they returned to Hongu Taisha by going up the Kumano River again, passing through Shingu once more, and then headed home. This pilgrimage journey covered a round trip of about 600 km and took about a month. The Kumano Kodo has historical value as a path to experience a moving pilgrimage to an ancient sacred site.

Recommended attire

Preparing to Walk the Kumano Kodo

Proper equipment and preparation are necessary when walking the Kumano Kodo. As it is a mountainous area, it's important to be aware of the weather, which can change quickly. In particular, summers can be hot and winters can be cold, so appropriate clothing is necessary. Please prepare comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Additionally, please be mindful of your manners so as not to inconvenience the locals. Joining a guided tour is also recommended. Let's enjoy the beautiful Kumano Kodo, a world heritage site, while following the rules and feeling the nature and history.

Basic Information

	Address	12-4 Mukai, Owase-shi, Mie 519-3625
	Business Hours	The general term for pilgrimage routes leading to Kumano Sanzan.
	TEL	0597-25-2666
	Web Site	https://kumanokodocenter.com/