Kumano Kodo & Kumano Sanzan

A journey to the place where the Gods have lived...

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For tourists in general, the ultimate destination when visiting Japan are Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto. But because I was an eccentric tourist, since long ago I have desire to take the unpopular path of Kumano Kodo.

Kumano Kodo path

Kumano Kodo is a series of famous ancient pilgrimage route in Japan, even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage with the name Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.

Kumano Kodo stone path

Around the world there are only 2 pilgrimage route included in the UNESCO World Heritage, the Route of Santiago de Compostela (Way of St. James) in Spain and the Kumano Kodo in Japan. It isn't only because of beautiful stone path, nice view and beautiful forests in Kumano Kodo, but also because of it's living culture as sacred sites.

Rocky stairs, green mosh, wild flower, dense forest 

While Kumano Sanzan is 3 Grand Shrines located in Kumano area, Nachi Taisha, Hatayama Taisha, and Hongu Taisha. These 3 sacred temple is the center and final destination of Kumano Kodo long journey.

Kumano Sanzan : Nachi Taisha, Hatayama Taisha, dan Hongu Taisha

Kumano honored as a sacred place where the gods have lived since ancient times. People entrust their future happiness to the gods by traversing rugged paths through wild nature to visit Kumano. 

Definitely not an easy path

For more than 1000 years these routes have been and still are used by pilgrims. Besides praying and other religious rituals, purification plays a big role during the pilgrimage. Some of the trails go through mountainous terrain, thus they are not easy and sometimes even dangerous. However, overcoming hardships like that is part of the religious background of the pilgrimage.

Meoto-sugi, 800 years old husband and wive cedar trees at Daimonzaka

Aware of my own ability, I may not be able to undergo the actual trail of Kumano Kodo, so cut the route, let's directly go to the 3 grand shrines of Kumano Sanzan ^^

What a wonderful world ...