Kumano Sanzan

The Kumano Sanzan encompasses the entire region on the southern tip of Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. It is a mountainous area with deep valleys and rugged mountains. While most of the region is covered with virgins stands of broad leaf evergreens, areas here have been settled since time began in these islands of Japan.
The Kumano Sanzan is in the middle of the five pilgrimage

The Kumano Sanzan is in the middle of the five pilgrimage areas designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2004 on the Kii Peninsula. It is a unique peninsular area encompassed by rugged mountains. The Chinese characters, 三（san) 山 (zan) is literally speaking, "three mountains." The three mountains which are set like jewels among the southern peaks of the Kii Mountains have been sacred areas in Japan from time immemorial. It is said that the Japanese gods of creationist mythology came here to create the Japanese islands from cosmic morass.

UNESCO World Heritage Pilgrimage Routes

In 2004, the residents of the Kinan region rejoiced to learn of the finalization of listing the sacred areas and pilgrimage routes of the Kii Peninsula area of Japan. Many residents have always been aware of the pilgrimage routes and may have even walked them as students on school excursions. However, now residents have finally awakened to the many-faceted heritage which has existed running through our backyards and along the myriad paths of the pilgrimage routes. Sometimes it takes an outside influence as well-known as the UNESCO World Heritage Site's committee's interest.
The most frequently walked paths leading to the Hongu Kumano Grand Shrine (Hongu Kumano Taisha本宮熊野大社）are in the city of Tanabe.

There were four areas designated as World Heritage sites - officially known as Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. The areas include Mie, Nara, and Wakayama Prefectures. The designated sites are the sacred areas of 1. Yoshino and Omine 2. Kumano Sanzan and 3. Koyasan, and 4. the pilgrimage routes linking the sacred areas.
The area embodies the fusion of Shintoism (the ancient indigenous belief system of Japan) and Buddhism (introduced into Japan

What to Expect on a Guided Hike

A hike or walk with a guide enriches your understanding on many levels. Guides come from many walks of life and all ages. A guide's goal is to guide visitors (in our case, in the English language) and interpret the cultural, historical and natural heritage of an area with area-specific qualification usually issued or recognized by an appropriate authority.
Good guides are lifetime students of their particular field of expertise - continually studying for a deeper understanding.

****************************

Guides on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes must have a grasp of history, the natural environment, literature, local legends, mythology, and the relationship of the fusion of religions. In addition, an ability to be a story-teller, a sense of humor, and a deep understanding of Japan are necessary. All these qualities are not enough though. A thorough knowledge of the trails and precautions for hiking as well as physical stamina are also necessary.

For a guided hike please contact us.

TIEGA guides are certified through
recognition of Wakayama Prefecture government. Tourism Bureau

Five routes to Kumano

Kii-ji

The Kii-ji route begins in Kyoto. In ancient times, court nobles and their entourages boarded boats and floated down the Yodo River (Yodogawa) to Osaka. From Osaka, people traveled by a variety of methods. Some went by ship along the coastline to Tanabe, and other walked. Some rode horses. Nobility were often carried by porters in covered litters somewhat like miniature stagecoaches built for one person. But, once pilgrims reached Takijiri-oji on the Nakahechi route, all pilgrims had to walk through the sacred mountains to the three grand shrines to worship before the gods. Along the way there are shrines called oji (王子）which literally means a "child prince." They vary in size and importance. There were 99 oji from Osaka to Kumano Nachi Taisha, but some have fallen to ruin and little more than markers remain in some cases. Among the oji, five were important places for holding religious and cultural ceremonies and activities. They are called Gotai-oji.



Nakahechi

The starting point of the Nakahechi route is in the city of Tanabe. The city has flourished in commerce and culture since ancient times. Many pilgrims came from Osaka by ship and began their pilgrimage from Tanabe. Two routes developed at different times in history, hence the first section of the orange lines shows two paths of the routes. In the Heian era (9th to 12th century), the path wound through Tanabe towards the Tonda River (Tondagawa) passing by several ojis. In the reign of the Tokugawa shoguns, pilgrims bypassed the lower area of the Tonda River by crossing over Shiomi Pass (Shiomi-tōge). The orange lines on the right are not two separate routes. They are a loop starting in Hongū, progressing to Shingū and on to Nachi then returning to Hongū.


Kohechi

The Kohechi route is the path between Koyasan and the Kumano Sanzan area. There are few roads into this remote area, so it is less frequently traveled than other paths. Of particular note is the route over Mt. Hatenashi (Hate-nashi-san). Thirty-three small shrines mark the path from Hongū to Totsukawa. The mountain is 1,114 meters high with steep ascents and descents. These days, hikers should be in good condition before tackling it. Unlike most of the other routes, there are few places to get water or lodging, so most people opt for camping along the way and carrying a large supply of water.

Ōhechi

The Ōhechi route was often chosen by people involved in the arts such as poets. The route was longer than the Nakahechi route and therefore was more costly. There are many headlands, and the most southern area of the main island of Japan, Honshu, is located here. The views of the ocean along the way were, and still are, quite spectacular. This has been the fodder of countless poems. Only three sections of it have been declared world heritage sites; Tonda-zaka, Hotoke-zaka, and Nagai-zaka. Nagai-zaka lives up to its name as a long, long upward slope. It is wise to avoid it during hot summer months.

Iseji

The Ise route starts at Ise Grand Shrine (Isejingū) and runs along the coast of Mie Prefecture and diverges at Kumano City to go to Hongū Taisha (Grand Shrine) into the mountains or to Shingū's Hayatama Taisha by continuing along the coast. Travelers from the northern part of Japan often came on this route after making a pilgrimage to the grand shrines of Ise.

Buddhism in Japan

Buddhism was introduced in the 6th century.