Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage
Kumano Kodo is
the road leading from all over Japan to three large shrines called Kumano Sanzan (Kumano Hayatama Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hongu Taisha), and refers to the "Pilgrimage Road" that pilgrims who aim for Sanzan walked. It is said that many people, regardless of their social status or age, visited Kumano, which eventually was called the “Kumanono Pilgrimage of ants." It has been believed that visiting Kumano will provide the peace of the past, present and future. For this reason, Kumano Kodo is called the "land of resurrection" and many pilgrims still walk along this road. It was listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
Nakahechi route is
Starting from Tanabe City in Wakayama Prefecture, it is a mountain path from Takjiri-oji to the east through the mountains of Kumano, connecting Kumano Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha, and Hayatama Taisha. It is the route that the largest number of pilgrims walked. From the Heian period to the Kamakura period, it was used as an official pilgrimage route in "Kumano Goko," which is said to have been repeated more than 1,000 times by the emperor and nobles aiming for Kumano sanzan. On the way, there is a shrine called Kujuku-oji, which is said to have healed the fatigue of the trip by taking a break and singing.
How to enjoy the route
Along the Kumano Kodo, there is a shrine called Kumano Kujuku-oji. There are places with only stone monuments and some shrines with torii, so you can visit each oji and walk while purifying your mind and body. It will also be fun to visit famous places along the road, such as the "Tainai Kuguri" which goes through rocks and the "Nonaka-no-Ippo-sugi," an 800-year-old giant tree.
Takijiri-oji
から
TAKAHARA
After a short walk from Chikatsuyu, Tsugizakura-oji and Nonaka-no-Ippo-sugi appear. After that, there are three steep mountain paths, but after the last pass, Hosshinmon-oji, which was considered the sacred area of Kumano Honomiya Taisha, will greet you. After following an old road with stone paving, you finally reach Kumano Honmiya Taisha, the center of Kumano pilgrimage.
TAKAHARA
から
CHIKATSUYU
Once you get out of the mountain village in the plateau, you will go back to the slower mountain road.If you go over the Hahsioritouge where the Gyubadouji, which represents the Pope's pilgrimage, you will see a spacious village in Chikatsuyu. Chikatsuyu once flourished as an inn town for visiting Kumano, and it takes about 10 minutes to walk from Chikatsuyu-oji to the center of the town to arrive at CHIKATSUYU.
CHIKATSUYU
から
Kumano Hongu Taisha
After a short walk from Chikatsuyu, Tsugizakura-oji and Nonaka-no-Ippo-sugi appear. After that, there are three steep mountain paths, but after the last pass, Hosshinmon-oji, which was considered the sacred area of Kumano Honomiya Taisha, will greet you. After following an old road with stone paving, you finally reach Kumano Honmiya Taisha, the center of Kumano pilgrimage.
Kumano Hongu Taisha
から
WATAZE
After visiting Kumano Hongu Taisha, he also visited Daisaihara, a former shrine site. Walk the main street along the Kumano River and walk for about an hour toward Watase Onsen, one of Kumano Hongu Onsen village, and you will arrive at WATAZE. You can relieve the fatigue of your trip by taking a hot spring bath, or you can actively enjoy fishing and playing in the river.
WATAZE
から
KOGUCHI
Take the road from Kumano Hongu Taisha to Koguchi, "Kogumotorigoe." It takes about 13 kilometers to cross the mountain, but the height difference is smaller than that of "Ohgumotorigoe" and you can enjoy hiking comfortably in cedar trees and cypress trees. The view of mountains and the setting sun, which can be seen from the superb view point "Hyakumagura," is overwhelming.
KOGUCHI
から
Kumano Nachi Taisha
Proceed along the road from Kouchi to Kumano Nachi Taisha, " Ohgumotorigoe."It's a tough mountain path like going through clouds, and it's the hardest part of the Nakahechi route. We aim to visit Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine while visiting famous places such as "Waroudaishi," a large rock that the gods of Kumano chatted and laughed while sitting in a circle, and "Kusuno no Kubo Hatago ato," which once flourished in Hatago.
Kumano Nachi Taisha
から
Kumano Hayatama Taisha
If you take the Kumano Gobo Nankai Bus, you will arrive at Kumano Hayatama Taisha in the Shinguu-shi area in about an hour. If you stop over, you can also walk along the "Koya-zaka" part of the Nakahechi route. You can walk around Takano-zaka while looking at the sea of Kumano-nada, You can enjoy a different atmosphere from Kumano Kodo, which runs through the mountains.
