Kumano Pilgrimage Route

The Kumano Kodo is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Peninsula, the largest peninsula of Japan.

These mountainous trails are used by pilgrims to the "Kumano Sanzan" - the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. These three shrines are the holiest sites of the ancient syncretic Kumano religion.

The Kumano Gongen are the deities that are revered by the Kumano faith. As a syncretic religion, the Kumano faith carries elements of Shinto, Shugendo, mountain worship, and Buddhism, among others, and is sacred to each of these religions.

Shugendo monks (Yamabushi) have served as guides on the trail since ancient times and form an integral part of the religion of the area. Mount Tamaki and Mount Omine are just two of the sacred mountains with significant Shugendo presence in the region.

Kumano Pilgrimage Route map.
The Kumano Kodo has been used for more than 1,000 years for the purpose of Kumano worship, which flourished as the largest sacred site in Japan during the Middle Ages.

The area around Kumano was a place of nature worship. The three Kumano mountains were worshipped by people from all walks of life, from emperors to aristocrats and commoners.
The three great shrines which enshrine each of the Kumano Gongen are the guiding destinations of the pilgrimage. Each shrine has a particular focus for the benefits that the gods convey and the fortunes they bestow on the past, present, and future respectively.

Kii Mountains (Kii Sanchi).
Kii Mountains (Kii Sanchi) is a mountainous region covering most of the Kii Peninsula. The mountains are arranged roughly northeast to southwest.

During the Heian period, Shugendo flourished in these mountains.
In the Northern regions of the mountains, Yoshino and Omine have the oldest sacred traditions where followers of Shugendo, have been practising their faith within the forests since the seventh century.
Kumano Sanzan is in the Southern area of the ranges and has three significant shrines devoted to nature worship.
Around Koyasan, 117 temples represent over one thousand years of worship and are linked by networks of pilgrim routes through the steep peaks and glades of the Kii mountains.
See more at Kii Mountains - Wikipedia.

Starting hiking Nakahechi route.
The Nakahechi route is the most popular of the surviving Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails. It’s safe, accessible, (relatively) easy, and above all, gorgeous.

The web of trails comprising the Kumano Kodo has lead pilgrims between Japan’s most holy sites for over 1,000 years. Travelers who wish to immerse themselves in Japanese traditional and spiritual culture without the hardships of a more strenuous hike are sure to fall in love with the Nakehechi trail.
The Nakahechi route is well-marked so don’t worry about getting lost. The signs along the Imperial Route are clearly marked and written in both Japanese and English (other trails on the Kumano Kodo are missing signage in places). Simply follow the brown signposts with white lettering, even when they seem to guide you through strange places.