The ancient Kumano region is nestled in the verdant mountains of Wakayama Prefecture—the spiritual heartland of Japan. Worshipped for centuries, this lush and rugged area has been considered the abode of the gods.

The Kumano area (熊野) is located around the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula, about 100 kilometers south of Osaka and Kyoto. It spans Wakayama and Mie prefectures, although most of the attractions and religious sites are in Wakayama.

Walking the ancient Kumano Kodo is a fantastic way to experience the unique cultural landscape of Kumano’s spiritual countryside. In July 2004, the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes were registered as UNESCO World Heritage as part of the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” property.

Kumano is a spiritual region of Japan located in the southern reaches of the mountainous Kii Peninsula blessed with a rich pilgrimage tradition, isolated hot springs, and welcoming countryside hospitality.

Kumano Kodo (熊野古道, Kumano Kodō) refers to a network of pilgrimage trails through the southern Kansai region. The Kodo ("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 Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route is one of the world’s premier spiritual roads. Winding through the mountains of Honshu’s Kii Peninsula, an area straddling Wakayama, Nara, Osaka and Mie prefectures, it’s been tread by pilgrims on their quest for enlightenment for over a millennium.

Kumano City (熊野) is located in Mie Prefecture, about 20 kilometers from the Wakayama border. Although it shares its name with the greater Kumano region, with a population of only 20,000 it is by no means the principal center of activity. It is still of considerable interest to travelers for its trails, rock formations and shrine.

2019年9月28日 · Things to Do in Kumano, Japan: See Tripadvisor's 1,251 traveler reviews and photos of Kumano tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in April. We have reviews of the best places to see in Kumano. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

2021年2月4日 · One of only two UNESCO World Heritage trails in the world—the other being the Camino de Santiago in Spain—the Kumano Kodo in Japan has been a pilgrimage route since 800 AD. Just south of Osaka in Wakayama prefecture, the trail has been described as a "pilgrimage of ants" due to the huge number of pilgrims that would walk the trails in the ...

2022年11月30日 · Japan’s Kumano Kodo, a network of trails that traverse the mountains of Wakayama prefecture’s Kii Peninsula, is a superlative place to access your source, no matter how you define it. It’s also a wonderful workout and visually interesting as well; you don’t need to have a higher purpose for going than…well, going.