The Kumano Kodo (熊野古道)
Kumano Kodo (熊野古道) refers to a network of pilgrimage trails through the southern Kansai region (関西地方). The Kodo (古道 "old ways") are a key part of the region's World Heritage designation and have been in use for over 1000 years. They are the only pilgrimage routes besides the Camino de Santiago to be designated a World Heritage site.
The Kii Peninsula (紀伊半島)
The pilgrimage routes developed as a way for people to move between the sacred areas on the Kii Peninsula (紀伊半島). At the center of this religious area are the three Kumano shrines: Hongu Taisha (熊野本宮大社), Hayatama Taisha (熊野速玉大社) and Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社), collectively known as Kumano Sanzan (熊野三山) .
Hongu Taisha (熊野本宮大社)
Hayatama Taisha (熊野速玉大社)
Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社)
By the 12th century, the Kumano Sanzan were well known shrines in Japan, drawing pilgrims from Kyoto (京都), Osaka (大阪) and beyond. More than just a means to reach the three shrines, the pilgrimage trails were designed to be a religious experience in themselves and often pass through difficult, even dangerous, mountain terrain.
Koyasan (高野山)
Elevation of Ise. Mie prefecture.
JP: 伊勢の標高。 三重県.
CN: 伊势海拔。 三重县.
Ise-Shima – Ise Jingu and the scenic coastline-city of Shima
JP: 伊勢神宮–伊勢神宮と風光明媚な海岸線-島の街.
CN: 伊势志摩 – 伊势神宫和风景秀丽的海岸线城市志摩.
Today, most of the coastal trails have disappeared with development, but several mountain trails and passes remain. The trails are as follows:
Nakahechi trail (中辺路町)
Minshuku (民宿)
Nakahechi ((中辺路町) is well preserved and relatively easy to walk, leading through hilly, forested landscapes and occasional villages. The section between Takijiri Oji (outside central Tanabe) and Hongu (本宮町) is about 30 kilometers, and can be done in a comfortable two days' walk with an overnight stop in Chikatsuya Oji, where there are a few minshuku (民宿). The trail ends with a descent into Hongu Taisha, offering a spectacular view of the shrine's massive torii gate.
Ohechi (海池)
Ohechi (海池) follows the coast from Tanabe to Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社). This trail has virtually disappeared due to development and the construction of modern roads. At the height of its use between the 10th and 15th centuries, Ohechi, along with Nakahechi and Kohechi, is estimated to have seen the passage of over 30,000 people each year.
JR Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Pass
Iseji (伊勢路) connects Kumano with Ise Shrine (伊勢神宮) in Mie Prefecture. Like Ohechi, much of Iseji's coastal trail has been covered by paved roads and towns. Only short, isolated sections remain as stoned or earthen trails today. Among them, the Magose Pass (馬越峠) in Owase City and Matsumoto Pass (松本峠) in Kumano City are some of the most picturesque.
Kohechi (高知市)
Kohechi (高知市) connects Kumano with Koyasan (高野山). This mountaintop route is long and challenging, and consequently should not be undertaken without careful preparation. Inns are rarely found without zigzagging up and down the mountainsides into valley towns, greatly increasing the distance traveled. Kohechi was used mainly by Buddhist monks from the temple complex of Mount Koya (高野山).
Omine Okugake (大峯奥駈道) connects Kumano with Yoshino (吉野) via Mount Omine (大峰山). Like Kohechi (小辺路), Omine Okugake (大峯奥駈道) is a long, difficult and dangerous route that follows high mountain ridges and barely passes any towns for much of its duration. This route was used primarily by followers of the Shugendo mountain worship sect.