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Kumano Kodo Hongu Loop and Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
Joined 2019
Kumano is an important part of the World Heritage site “the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains”. Kumano is in Wakayama Prefecture and I worked for Wakayama Prefectural Government as a general manager of Cultural Heritage Division and I was also in charge of the World Heritage Project. I know this sacred site very well.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At JR Kii-Tanabe station (or at your hotel in Osaka, JR Osaka station, JR Tennoji station or JR Wakayama Station, ask for details)
JR Kii-Tanabe Station
I will meet you at JR Kii-Tanabe station ( I can meet you at your hotel in Osaka, JR Tennoji station, JR Osaka station or JR Wakayama station early in the morning. Ask for detail).
Kumano is a sacred site for both Japanese indigenous religion Shintoism and Buddhism. Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes connect ancient capital Kyoto and Kumano. People make a pilgrimage to Kumano from all over Japan. In this tour, we will walk on Kumano Kodo to make a pilgrimage to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine from Hossinmon Oji.
Why is Kumano so sacred? Why Kumano is a sacred site for two different religions? How had it become so? I will answer to these interesting questions on the spot.
Hossin-mon Oji on Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route
Hossinmon Oji marks the entrance to the most sacred area of Kumano.
Pilgrims who walked through Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route renewed their spirit here and continued their pilgrimage to Kumano. We also walk on the pilgrimage route for 4 km from here to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine.
On the way, you will be able to have a distant view of the former site of Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine from Fushiogami Oji.
Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine
After following the same route as the ancient pilgrims, we will arrive at Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine which is one of the Three Shrines In Kumano (Kumano Sanzan). It was once simply called the Deity of Kumano. It is said that it enshrines the spirit of the sun, water, or trees. Legend has it that it was founded 2,000 years ago, and it had been strongly influenced by Buddhism after the 7th century.
Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine former site Oyunohara
Kumano Hongu Taisha was on the sandbank of a river until the shrine was washed out by a flood in 1889. After the flood, the survived four shrines buildings were relocated to the current location. Remaining here are the foundation of the shrine buildings which has a dignified atmosphere. Also, standing at the entrance to this place is the highest torii gate in Japan.
Ending Point
At the starting ponit
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guiding fee
Insurance
Bus ride 5,000JPY round trip plus the same amount for guide
Food and drinks
Tour Important Information
As we will walk for about three hours, comfortable shoes are recommended.
Tours are NOT covered by insurance. Make sure to be covered by your own insurance.
Transportation fare, entrance fees and lunch are NOT included in the guide fee.
Direct payment will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
Bus ride Kii-Tanabe-Kumano (round trip) 5,000JPY per person plus same amount for guide.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2019
About Tour Guide Hiroyuki T.
Hi!
I had been working for Wakayama Prefectural Government for 38 years, mainly in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am a national certificated English guide and I have a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations.
I am very good at cultural heritages.
And Koyasan and Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture are inscribed in the World Heritage List as parts of “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". I was a project manager of "the Koyasan and Kumano World Heritage Inscription Project” at Wakayama Prefectural Government. I know inside and out of Koyasan, Kumano, Wakayama and other places in the Kansai area.
I have a lot of experience of guiding as I was also in charge of international relations for a long time at the government.
I will be able to provide interpretive guiding service for you around Koyasan, Wakayama, Osaka and other places in the Kansai area as I am a cultural heritage management and international relations professional.
I am sure you will be able to get deeper understandings on Japanese culture and that your trip with me will be memorable one.
Reviews
Judith S.
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
“Best Guide We Had In Japan”
We spent a delightful day with Hiroyuki doing his Kyoto Temple Tour. He was personable, spoke excellent English and was a font of information. I highly recommend him and will be passing his name on to our friends who are planning to travel to Japan.
Rowena S.
Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka
“Excellent Guide in Osaka”
Thank you, Hiroyuki san for the smooth planning with you about this tour and for taking good care of our guests.
Hiroyuki T.
(144 reviews)Thank you very much for reviewing the tour. They were really a nice family. It was very nice for me as well to spend time with them. Please give my best wishes to them. Hiro
Marc K.
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
“Hiro san: A perfect host”
We hired Hiro for two tours in Kyoto. One for “must sees” and another tour where we freestyled and visited less common places. Hiro was prompt and easily switched gears as we needed. He has a complete grasp on the cultural, religious, and artistic under-pinning of all things Japanese. A virtual encyclopedia and wealth of knowledge. Awesome awareness of our needs and answered our questions endlessly. We loved going to lunches and one dinner with him. As non-Japanese speakers, it was so relaxing to have him help us understand meal customs and menus! Excellent guide and highly recommended!!
Hiroyuki T.
(144 reviews)Thank you very much for your kind message. It was so nice spending time with you in Kyoto. And thank you very much for wonderful meals, Ramen, Okonomiyai and Kaiseki. I was happy that you liked them very much. Do you remember the location of that Ramen restaurant? You will have to come to Kyoto to have it again! Please take good care of yourself. Hope our lines will cross again sometime in the future.
$388/ per group
Reserve
