World Heritage
“Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” on May 7, 2004 the three sacred sites on Kumano Sanzan, Koyasan and Yoshino & Omine, as well as the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes that connect them, were registered as UNESCO World Heritage. It is a diverse cultural landscape that extends over the entire Kii Peninsula and us a spiritual place of self-discovery, purification and healing.
History
More than a thousand years ago, a retired emperor and his followers visited the Kumano Grand Shrines. This was the start of the so-called Kumano Faith.
Since then, many pilgrims from nobles to commoners have visited Kumano.
Walking the ancient Kumano Kodo is a fantastic way to experience the unique cultural landscape of Kumano’s spiritual countryside.
Kumano Nachi Taisha is a Shinto shrine and part of the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range of Japan. The Kumano Kodo route connects it to other sites under the same classification, which are primarily located in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, is one of the best-known waterfalls in Japan. With a drop of 133 meters (and 13 meters wide), it is the country’s tallest water fall with single uninterrupted drop; however, the tallest waterfalls with multiple drops in Japan are Hannoki Falls, at 497 m (seasonal), and Shomyo Falls, at 350m (year round).
Kumano Hongu Taisha was named an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1995.
Regardless of social rank or wealth, the faithful flock to the Kumano Sanzan on pilgrimage like a train of ants. There were hundred-odd visits from emperors and other nobles visited from the Emperor Uda period.
As you climb the 158 stone steps to the main building, you sense the endless history in the fluttering streamers and towering cedar trees. Once through the main gate, you come upon the main hall with its magnificent thatched roof of cypress shingles. The present structure was relocated here from Ohyunohara after the original structure was destroyed by floods in 1889.
Kumano Hongu Taisha enshrines Izanagi-Okami, the deity who gave birth to Japan, and Ketsumimiko-Okami, a benevolent deity who strives to help mankind. Many people come here to pray for safety on the road, abundant catches (of fish), harmony in the home, happy marriage and long life.
Kumano Kodo Tips
Plan your trip and equip yourself properly, you are entering a mountainous environment. Bring water with you. Water available along the route is mostly non-treated natural water.
Good, sturdy footwear is recommended. The ancient moss covered stone lined trails and staircases can be very slippery-especially when wet. Be careful.
Be prepared for changing weather-especially rain. This area of Japan is famous for its precipitation. Bring an umbrella or rain jacket. Umbrellas are useful as rain jackets are often very warm.
There are many steep climbs and descents. If you have bad knees try using a walking stick to take some of the pressure off them. They are available at most trailheads.
Triplisher.com Recommended Course:
・Kii Ise/Kumano Kodo/Wakayama 5days