From ancient times to the Middle Ages, the faith instilled by the Kumano Sanzan of Hongu, Shingu and Nachi was at a peak and many believers ranging from emperors and nobles to the commoner made their pilgrimages to Kumano.

In those days, the journey involved much more than crossing steep mountains along tortuous remote trails; it was a path of continual worship along which the traveler cleansed his body and mind in frigid waters of a winter morning and earnestly invoked the help of the Kumano deities and Buddha at every turn.

Now a World Heritage, the Kumano Kodo offers you the chance to imagine what it was like to pilgrimage to Kumano long ago, absorb the history of Kumano and pass it down to future generations.

You will soon arrive at Hosshinmon-Oji, the gateway to the Sacred Land of Kumano. After the hard and painstaking journey, you'll feel purified inside as you climb to Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine.
Come make your journey of faith to Kumano.

The Oji of Hongu Town Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
Inohana-Oji Hosshinmon-Oji Mizunomi-Oji Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
Fushiogami-Oji Haraido-Oji Yunomine-Oji former shrine site Ohyunohara

Let's walking a Kumano Kodo

Required time*
  • Inohana-Oji
    | 0.8km/15minute
  • Hosshinmon-Oji
    | 1.8km/30minute
  • Mizunomi-Oji
    | 1.9km/40minute
  • Fushiogami-Oji
    | 3.0km/1hour
  • Haraido-Oji
    | 0.1km/3minute
  • Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
    |
  • Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
    | 2.0km/1hour?iDainichi Trail?j
  • Yunomine-Oji

Tips on Planning Your Trip
  • The given walking times do not include breaks. Take rest time and your physical condition into consideration when planning your trip.
  • In winter, it gets dark early, therefore it is wise to set out on the above courses in the morning.
  • Coin-operated lockers are available in front of Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine.

Travel by Car, Bus and Taxi
  • Bus service is provided between the hot springs and Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine.
  • IThere is no parking available at Hosshinmon-Oji or Fushiogami-Oji.
    One possibility if you come by car is to park at the Sanson-Kaihatsu Center in front of Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine and catch the bus to these spots.
  • If you miss the bus, you can take a taxi (Kumano Daiichi Kotsu: 0735-42-0051).
    Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine - Hosshinmon-Oji? - Required time: Approx. 15 min, Price: Approx.3,000yen


*Destination: Hosshinmon-Oji of Kumano Kodo
(Timetable revised as of March 19, service up to September 30)
  First bus Shimoyunomine Yunomine Hot Spring Watarase Hot Spring Kawayu Hot Spring Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine Michi-no-Eki Fushiogami-Oji Hosshinmon-Oji
Ryujin Bus Kii-tanabe 7:51 7:57 8:03 8:04 8:13 8:18 - 8:31
Benri Bus Urarakan *communicate with the Nara traffic bus by way of the hot spring 9:30 9:35 9:43 9:55
Ryujin Bus Kii-tanabe 10:57 11:03 11:09 11:10 11:19 11:24 - 11:37
Ryujin Bus Kii-tanabe 13:00 13:06 13:12 13:13 13:22 13:27 - 13:40


*Hosshinmon-Oji of Kumano Kodo - Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
(Timetable revised as of March 19, service up to September 30)
  destination Hosshinmon-Oji Michi-no-Eki Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine Kawayu Hot Spring Watarase Hot Spring Shimoyunomine Yunomine Hot Spring
Ryujin Bus Kii-tanabe 9:03 9:13 9:20 9:30 9:31 9:35 9:38
Benri Bus

Urarakan

 10:00 10:10 10:15 - - - -
Ryujin Bus Kii-tanabe 12:13 12:23 12:30 12:40 12:41 12:45 12:48
Ryujin Bus Kii-tanabe 14:03 14:13 14:20 14:30 14:31 14:35 14:38

* For year-end and year-beginning bus services, please contact General Affairs Section of Hongu Town Hall.
(0735-42-0070)


Helpful links
Hongu Storytellers Circle
Walking together, storytellers guide you along Hongu Kumano Kodo. Some guides use sign language.		 Hosshinmon-Oji and Fushiogami-Oji Route Map
Traffic closed for construction work has been temporarily opened. New construction work will be noticed on this webpage.		 Popular Kumano Kodo Routes
The campaign has been ended. Public transport timetables must be checked beforehand.
Kogumotori Trail
This is part of Kumano Kodo that connects between Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine and Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine.		 Wakayama Prefecture Road Map "Kumano Kodo"
This map covers all the Kumano Kodo routes in Wakayama Prefecture.		 "Kumano Kodo"Photo Collection
The collection contains the photographs by Yoshio Yamashita, an amateur photographer.

Rules at World Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range"
The "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" were named a World Heritage on July 7, 2004, because of the vast historical assets covering the three prefectures of Mie, Nara and Wakayama, and the cultural landscape that has been nurtured on the bonds between mankind and the natural environment.
Rules have been set on walking the pilgrimage routes in order to preserve this irreplaceable heritage and pass it down to future generations. Please observe these rules while walking the trails so that people all over the world can enjoy and come closer to the wonders of this exceptional heritage.
  1. Protect the area as a "Heritage of All Mankind".
  2. Respect the faith of worshipers of long ago.
  3. Greet others with a smile and warm heart.
  4. Protect the local wildlife. Do not remove or introduce animals or vegetation.
  5. Plan your trip and equip yourself with ample leeway so as to avoid accidents and mishaps.
  6. Stay on paths
  7. Prevent forest fires.
  8. Keep the paths clean. Carry all waste back with you.
Click here for a printable version of these rules. Provide a copy to all persons in your group.


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