Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range

Sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii mountain range is a UNESCO world heritage site and on this list, are all the sites that are part of it. This route goes through Mie, Nara and Wakayama prefectures. The route is full of beautiful forest trails and going over and next to waterfalls. shrines, Temples, streams and rivers. This religious pilgrimage has both Shinto and Buddhism religions mixed together with temples of both religions. The Pilgrimage was added to UNESCO world heritage sites on 2004 but some spots were added to the list along the years.

Jison-in

This is a Buddhist Temple that is the start for Koyasan pilgrimage route. It is located near the Mount Koya.

Address:

832 Jisonin, Kudoyama-cho, Ito-gun 648-0151, Wakayama Prefecture

Website http://jison-in.org/

 

Kōyasan chōishi-michi

This is one of the paths along the pilgrimage routes, it is a 24-kilometer trail that is marked by stone markers, The path starts from the bottom of mount Koya and leads over to Danjo Garan

Route: http://eng.shukubo.net/upfile/stupa-route.pdf

Niukanshōfu Shrine

This is a Shinto shrine that is a part of the sites. It has been pat of Sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii mountain range from 2004.

Address: 835 Jisonin, Kudoyama-chō, Ito-gun, Wakayama-ken 648-0151

Website http://niujinja.sakura.ne.jp/index.html

 

Niutsuhime Shrine

This is another Shinto shrine that is part of the Heritage sites.

Address:

230 Kamitenno, Katsuragi-cho, Ito-gun 649-7141, Wakayama Prefecture

Website: http://www.niutsuhime.or.jp/history.html

 

Fudarakusan-ji

This is another Buddhist Temple that is part of the list. It is said that the Temple was founded by a Buddhist monk from India around 4th century.

Address:

Hamanomiya, Nachikatsura-cho, Higashimuro-gun 649-5314, Wakayama Prefecture

Website: http://www.niutsuhime.or.jp/

 

Ōminesan-ji

This is a Temple of the Shugendo religion. Shugendo is a shaman kind of religion that mixes Buddhism and Shintoism with shamanistic believes like mountain worshipping. The Temple is considered sacred and the sactuary at the peak of the mountain the Temple resides at it is forbidden for women to enter. There is a mountain near by that the sacred area has been opened up for women as well.

Address:

638-0431 Nara Prefecture, Yoshino District, Tenkawa, Dorogawa

Kumano Nachi Taisha
Kumano Nachi Taisha
Nachi Taisha is one of the red lacquer-painted temples that glisten among the trees. It appears out of the forest along the beautiful stone steps of the Kumano Kodo route. Here, close to Nachi Falls, you will experience the impressive nature of Kumano.
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Kongobuji Temple
Kongobuji Temple
Kongobuji temple is the headquarters of Mount Koya Shingon Buddhism. This is the place to experience Japanese culture through your five senses. Encounter the beauty of Japan by walking through the great variety of rooms, listening to the Buddhist sermons given by the monks, and participating in a meditation session.
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Kumano Kodo Path
Kumano Kodo Path
During the medieval period of Japan, people used to walk the Kumano Kodo path to reach the sacred Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine. This gorgeous trail through the forest still retains the atmosphere of those days and has been listed as a World Heritage site. Hiking the Kumano Kodo path is a truly special experience.
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Kumano Hongu Taisha
Kumano Hongu Taisha
Kumano Hongu Taisha is a gracious shrine with “hinoki” (Japanese cypress) bark thatching. The shrine possesses the largest “torii” gate in Japan. Located near the shrine is a hot springs area listed as a World Heritage site and a hot springs bath in the river, one of Japan’s largest open air baths.
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Kumano Hayatama Taisha
Kumano Hayatama Taisha
Kumano Hayatama Taisha is one of the Kumano Sanzan shrines, and the head shrine of the many thousands of Kumano shrines throughout the country. The highlights include the massive evergreen trees and the sacred National Treasures. We also recommend visiting Kamikura Jinja, a detached precinct of the main temple, located on a steep cliff.
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Mt. Yoshino
Mt. Yoshino
Mt. Yoshino which is a World Heritage site enshrining its cherry trees has a superb April scenery when it is covered in cherry blossoms. You can enjoy some elegant trekking while viewing the mountain, flowers and old temples.
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Nachi Falls
Nachi Falls
The nature surrounding Kumano Kodo and Nachi is carefully protected as an object of worship. Nachi Falls is registered as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.
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Kinpusen-ji Temple Zao-do Hall
Kinpusen-ji Temple Zao-do Hall
This head temple of the Shugendo sect was founded by En-no-Gyoja on the ancient and sacred mountain of Kinpusen. Within the temple grounds, the National Treasure, Zao-do Hall soars as a grand wooden structure. The honorific mountain name for Kinpusen is “Kokujikusan” which means “the mountain at the center of the universe”.
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Yoshimizu Shrine
Yoshimizu Shrine
Yoshimizu Shrine has the oldest shoin, or drawing room, for a residence in Japanese history. Articles from historical heroes including Emperor Go-Daigo, Generals Yoshitsune Minamoto and Hideyoshi Toyotomi are on display here. In early April, you can enjoy the view of splendid cherry blossoms all over the mountainside.
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Kinpu Shrine
Kinpu Shrine
This is a shrine dedicated to Kanayamahiko-no-Mikoto, the local deity of Mt. Yoshino. Located in Oku-Yoshino, the old main shrine surrounded by ancient and tall cedars and cherry trees has a mystical quality. Next to the shrine is Yoshitsune Kakure-to, a small building associated with General Yoshitsune Minamoto.
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Nachi Seiganto-ji Temple
Nachi Seiganto-ji Temple
Seiganto-ji Temple has been registered as a World Heritage site as part of the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range”. From the temple grounds, you can fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of the bright vermillion three-floor pagoda soaring into the sky with Nachi Falls in the background.
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Yoshino Mikumari Shrine
Yoshino Mikumari Shrine
A shrine dedicated to Ame-no-Mikumari, the chief goddess in charge of administering water. Along with the main building which consists of three structures under one roof, you can observe the impressive architecture of the Momoyama era. It has been worshiped for good fortune in rain, children and childbirth.
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