Things to Do in Kumano, Japan

Quick facts: A giant sacred waterfall named Nachi Falls, standing at 133 meters, majestically flows behind the main shrine, creating a dramatic natural backdrop. This site forms part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, which has drawn over 1 million pilgrims yearly for centuries.

Highlights: Visitors step into a spiritual realm where the roar of the waterfall blends with the ancient cypress trees, believed to be the dwelling of ancestral spirits. Unique rituals include adorning the waterfall with shimenawa ropes, symbolizing purification and divine protection through the seasons.

Quick facts: The waterfall drops 133 meters making it one of Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfalls. It attracts nearly 1.2 million visitors annually who come to admire its uninterrupted cascade and misty spray.

Highlights: Spraying water from the falls is believed to bring good fortune and health, inspiring a unique ritual where visitors catch droplets on leaves to sprinkle on themselves. In autumn, the surrounding forest bursts into fiery red and gold hues, framing the waterfall in breathtaking seasonal color.

Quick facts: Ancient paths cross through dense cedar forests and connect three major shrines across 100 kilometers of rugged terrain. Pilgrims have walked these routes for over 1,000 years, tracing footsteps of emperors and monks alike.

Highlights: Walking along moss-covered stone steps, travelers can hear the distant ringing of a bell from Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine, a ritual believed to cleanse the soul. A secretive mountain herb, "kumano-cha," grows only here and locals brew it into a calming tea cherished by pilgrims.

Quick facts: Seiganto-ji is part of a sacred pilgrimage route with roots extending over 1,200 years. Visitors often pass through a waterfall nearby, believed to purify the body and spirit before entering the temple.

Highlights: The temple's vibrant red pagoda stands just 15 meters from a dramatic waterfall, an unusual combination that creates a magical misty atmosphere. Legend says the waterfall was revealed by a monk striking a rock with his staff, adding a mystical aura to the site.

Quick facts: The shrine is part of a network of Kumano Sanzan with three major shrines attracting over 2 million pilgrims annually. Visitors can find ancient cedar trees over 800 years old lining the approach road, creating a majestic natural tunnel.

Highlights: A mysterious ritual is performed every 60 years where priests walk 30 kilometers barefoot over fire to renew the shrine's spiritual power. The shrine's thatched roof, one of Japan's largest, covers an area measuring 39 by 11 meters, creating a stunning architectural silhouette against the forest backdrop.

Quick facts: Imagine walking under a grand cedar tree that is over 800 years old standing at the shrine’s entrance. The shrine houses a precious artifact: the sacred mirror representing the spirit of the sun goddess Amaterasu, a key figure in Japanese mythology.

Highlights: A sacred ritual called the "Fire Festival" lights up the shrine every summer with torchlight processions attracting over 30,000 people. The shrine’s architecture blends harmoniously with the ancient forest surrounding it, creating a serene atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time.

Quick facts: The Treasure Hall houses over 100 religious artifacts including ancient sutras and statues dating back to the 10th century. Visitors can see scrolls and reliquaries that have been carefully preserved through centuries of pilgrimages.

Highlights: Among the exhibits, a 14th-century statue of a deity carved from camphor wood stands out with intricate details on its robes. A quiet room allows visitors to experience traditional Buddhist chanting through ambient audio, creating an immersive spiritual atmosphere.