Top 5 most beautiful temples and shrines in Kumano

Walking the Kumano Kodo path can be a very spiritual experience as it is part of a World Heritage site known as the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. On that walk, there are some of the most beautiful temples and shrines you will encounter like the Kumano Nachi Taisha and the Tafukeoji Shrine. Here are a few of the most beautiful temples and shrines in Kumano.

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.

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.

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.

Tafukeoji Shrine

One of the many subsidiary Oji shrines remaining in Kumano, it is said to be the last such shrine. When visiting Kumano Grand Shrine, the small Tafukeoji Shrine located alongside the road was the place to pray or give thanks for safety during travel in the area.

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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