Osaka Kumano Kodo Day Tour | Kumano Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha & Shirhebi Benzaiten Shrine Pilgrimage | Small Group of 9 with Chinese Service

-Attraction Introduction-

【Kumano Hongu Taisha】

Kumano Hongu Taisha is the head shrine of approximately 3,000 Kumano shrines throughout Japan and the leader of the 'Kumano Sanzan'. It is dedicated to Ketsumiko-no-Okami, with a history dating back to before the Heian period. In 2004, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside the Camino de Santiago in Spain, making it one of only two pilgrimage routes in the world to receive this honor. Unlike other shrines, the main hall retains a low-key, rustic natural wood tone without vermilion lacquer, and the roof is covered with 30 cm thick cypress bark, creating a solemn atmosphere that embodies Japanese Shinto aesthetics. The belief in the three-legged crow 'Yatagarasu' originated here, and it is also the origin of the emblem for the Japan national football team.

【Oyunohara Great Torii】

After the original shrine site, 'Oyunohara', was relocated due to a major flood in 1889, a 33-meter-tall vermilion wooden torii gate was built on the original site. It is currently the largest wooden torii gate in Japan, standing amidst lush green fields with a striking visual impact, making it the most iconic photo spot of the trip.

【Kumano Nachi Taisha】

Kumano Nachi Taisha is one of the Kumano Sanzan, originating from the nature worship of Nachi Falls and dedicated to Kumano Fusumi-no-Okami. In Japanese, the name 'Fusumi' is a homophone for 'knot' or 'connection', making this a famous shrine for matchmaking in Japan. It is highly popular among visitors for praying for good relationships, career success, and family harmony.

【Seiganto-ji Temple】

Located right next to Nachi Taisha, Seiganto-ji is a renowned temple of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism. Its history dates back over 1,300 years to the Nara period, and it is the first temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, serving as the starting point for the entire Japanese Buddhist pilgrimage. The two stand side-by-side, with the shrine and temple coexisting in one place—a rare example of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism in Japan that preserves its complete form from before the Meiji-era policy of separating Shinto and Buddhism. Within the grounds, there is a sacred camphor tree nearly a thousand years old with a natural hollow in its trunk, which is considered a powerful energy spot.

【Hiro-jinja Shrine】

Hiro-jinja is the okumiya (inner shrine) of Kumano Nachi Taisha. Its object of worship is extremely rare: the Nachi Falls themselves are the deity, rather than just a natural landscape. Since ancient times, practitioners and pilgrims have traveled from afar to worship here, and it is said that drinking the sacred water of the falls can prolong life.

Nachi Falls has a drop of 133 meters, a width of 13 meters, and a basin depth of 10 meters. The water cascades down from a sheer cliff, shaking the valley with its majestic power. With a flow rate of over 1 ton per second, it is the tallest single-tier waterfall in Japan and is counted among the 'Three Great Waterfalls of Japan' alongside Kegon Falls and Fukuroda Falls, and is also listed as one of the '100 Landscapes of Japan'. By paying a 300 JPY entrance fee, you can access the observation deck for a close-up panoramic view of the falls.

【Shirhebi Benzaiten Shrine】

Located on Benten Island, an isolated island in Nachi Bay, Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture, this is the most mysterious energy spot in the area. The island is dedicated to the White Snake Benzaiten; in traditional Japanese belief, the white snake is considered the divine messenger of the goddess Benzaiten, symbolizing wealth, rebirth, and longevity. There has been a saying since ancient times that 'those who see a white snake will have great financial luck'. Standing on the shore and looking out, the vermilion torii gate stands on the rocks in the sea, with the deep blue Pacific Ocean of Nachi Bay as the background, creating a visually stunning scene.