Kumano Sankeimichi
Located in the southeastern part of the Kii Peninsula, Kumano Sanzan is far from the capital Kyoto and other regions, so three routes were developed according to the starting points.
The first one goes through the West coast of the Kii Peninsula and was written as "Kiji" in "Ryojinhisho" written in the 12th century. This route is divided into two on the way to "Nakahechi" which goes through the mountains and "Ohechi" which goes along the seacoast.
The second one is the route that goes through the East coast of the Kii Peninsula and was written as "Iseji". The third one is the route connects Koyasan and Kumano Sanzan and is called "Kohechi".
Pilgrimage to Kumano Sanzan began in the mid-Heian era and continued with developing zeal until the Muromachi era. Since so many people passed along this route on pilgrimages, and the pilgrims often formed a long line, it was described as an ant procession.
Pilgrimage routes to Kumano frequently used during the ancient times and medieval ages were continually used as the route for the West Pilgrimage including Kumano in the modern ages.
Nakahechi
Tanabe City, Shingu City, and Nachikatsuura Town
This pilgrimage route was mostly used for the pilgrimage from Kyoto or West Japan to Kumano Sanzan and it turns to East at Kiitanabe to the Mountains. Boats were usually used between Kumano Hongu Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha, however, the rest of the route was steep mountain road. It's characteristic is the fact that there are "Oji" which enshrine the child god of Kumano and their remains.
Law protection: Historic Site
Ohechi
Shirahama Town, Susami Town Nishimuro County, Wakayama Prefecture
This pilgrimage route goes along the seacoast from Kiitanabe to Kumano Sanzan. Longer than the Nakahechi, the Ohechi was the route for those who undertook mountain ascetic practices called Okugake and the group pf religious practitioners who repeated the Saigoku pilgrimage 33 times. However, after the Edo era, people began to appear who came to visit for the mixed purposes of worship and tourism. Although not all parts of this section of the route remain in good original condition, it is still valuable as a pilgrimage route characterized by distinctive beautiful cultural landscapes that are formed by the combination of the sea and mountains.
Law protection: Historic Site
Kohechi
Koya Town Ito County, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture and Nosegawa Village, Totsukawa Village, Yoshino County, Nara Prefecture
Running through the central part of the Kii Peninsula from south to north,
this pilgrimage route is the shortest route connecting Kumano Sanzan and
Koyasan.
As pilgrims had to go through 1,000m high passes such as Obako Toge three
times, this is the toughest one in the Kumano Pilgrimage Routes.
Law protection: Historic Site
Iseji
Owase City, Kumano City, Taiki Town of Watarai County and Kihoku Town of Kitamuro County, Mihama Town and Kiho Town of Minamimuro County, Mie Prefecture; Tanabe City and Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture;
This pilgrimage route runs down to the south along the east coast of the Kii Peninsula, mostly used by those on a pilgrimage for Kumano Sanzan from the eastern part of the country.
Iseji had been established as a pilgrimage route by the mid-Heian era, however, it was not until Edo era when Pilgrimages to Ise Jingu and the saigoku pilgrimage starting with Seiganto-ji became popular that the number of people using this route increased to a significant level. The Iseji starts form Tamaru, where it connects to the Ise Honkaido, a pilgrimage route to Ise Jingu, and forks at the "Hana no Iwaya" into the "Shichiri mihamamichi" leading to Kumano Hayatama Taisha and "Hongumichi." The inland course leads to Kumano Hongu Taisha.
Law protection: Historic Site
Hana no Iwaya
Kumano City, Mie Prefecture;
As, according to Nihonshoki, this is the place where Izanami no Mikoto
was buried, this shrine has been worshiped.
The main object of worship is huge rock approximately 45m high, which reminds
the viewer of the ancient worshiping style at a time when there were no
such religious constructions for enshrining deities or giving prayers as
can be seen in contemporary shrines.
Law protection: Historic Site
Kumano no Oniga-jo tsuketari Shishi-iwa
Kumano City, Mie Prefecture;
The Onigajo shows natural landscapes formed by the upheaval of Kumano acid rock and the erosion by sea and wind with the ups and downs of the sea level, and forms unique rocks and landscapes with a series of terraced caves. Having a lion head look view from the south, the Shishi-iwa is also a wind-eroded cave of Kumano acid rock.
Law protection: Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument
Introduction to the properties