What to know
Kumano Kodo (熊野古道) is a network of ancient pilgrimage trails crossing the southern Kansai region. These 'old ways' have been used for over a thousand years and are a core part of the area's UNESCO World Heritage status. Along with Spain's Camino de Santiago, they are the only pilgrimage routes recognized as a World Heritage site.
The trails were created to connect the sacred sites of the Kii Peninsula. At the heart of this spiritual landscape are the three Kumano shrines: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha, and Nachi Taisha, collectively known as Kumano Sanzan.
By the 12th century, Kumano Sanzan were famous shrines across Japan, attracting pilgrims from Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond. The trails were designed not just as a means to reach the shrines but as a religious journey in itself, often traversing challenging mountain terrain.
Besides linking the three shrines, the Kumano Kodo connects the region to Kyoto, Koyasan (headquarters of Shingon Buddhism), Yoshino and Omine (centers of mountain worship), and Ise (Japan's most important shrine).
Today, most coastal trails have been lost to development, but several mountain routes remain. The main trails are:
Nakahechi is well preserved and relatively easy, winding through hilly forests and occasional villages. The section from Takijiri Oji (near central Tanabe) to Hongu is about 30 kilometers, comfortably walkable in two days with an overnight stop at Chikatsuya Oji, where a few minshuku are available. The trail ends with a descent into Hongu Taisha, offering a stunning view of the shrine's massive torii gate.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Closed
- Admission
- English name
- Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau
- Original name
- Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails
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