Kumano Kudo - Nakahechi Route

Kumano is the ancient name for the south eastern region of the Kii Peninsula. This lush, rugged environment has nurtured a profound form of nature worship in which mountains, rocks, forests and rivers are deified and revered as objects of worship. The landscape is believed to be the otherworldly abode of the gods - a focus for pilgrimage and spiritual training. When Buddhism arrived from China in C6 unique forms of Buddhism and the indigenous Shinto faith blended leading to the designation of local deities as manifestations of Buddhist entities. For centuries the two religions merged creating complex layers of symbolism and ritual.

From C10 the 68 km Nakahechi Trail was considered the Imperial Route, leading from Takijiri on the western edge of the peninsula and stretching to Shingu on the east coast. It has UNESCO World Heritage status and was known as the ‘pilgrimage of ants’ as at one time retired Emperors would bring up to 300 on their journey.Read more