Kumano Sanzan & Nachi Waterfall

"The sacred sites and the pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountain Range, including Kumano Kodo," is designated as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2004. Kumano Kodo, the ancient path, is a generic term of pilgrimage routes leading to "Kumano Sanzan," or the three main shrines of "Kumano Nachi Taisha," "Kumano Hayatama Taisha" and "Kumano Hongu Taisha." People from all levels of society including retired emperors and aristocrats came to pray for the marvels of nature in the Kumano sanctuary from Kyoto and Osaka, and it was described as "ant processions." There are over 3,000 Kumano Shrines across the country and the Kumano Sanzan is foremost among these shrines.

First I would like to take you to Nachi Waterfall (Nachi-no-Otaki). The waterfall is the greatest waterfall with a height of 133 meters, a width of 13 meters, and a depth of 10 meters in the water basin. Kumano represents a place deep in the mountain ranges and has been believed as abode of gods, especially Nachi Waterfall as the sacred body of the deity has been respected and worshipped.

Kumano Nachi Taisha is covered with a thick wooded mountain. It is Nachi Primeval Forest, and all the mountain is designated as a national treasure with a plenty of rare trees and plants.

Seigantoji, located next to Kumano Nachi Taisha, is the first temple of Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. The main hall is built in the hip gable roof style and faces south and east. The view of three-story pagoda and Nachi Waterfall from the foot of the temple is a must-see.

Kmano Hayatama Taisha has the greatest podocarpus nagi which is 20 meters high and 1,000 years old. The original shrine of Kumano Hayatama Taisha is Kamikura Shrine which is located nearly 100 meters up a precipitous cliff of the Gongenyama mountains.

Four deities are enshrined at Kami-yon-sha in Kumano Hongu Taisha while Naka-yon-sha and shimo-yon-sha have been still enshrined together at the small stone shrine in Oyunohara, where the greatest shrine gate with a height of 34 meters and a width of 42 meters stands. Three-legged crow called "Yatagarasu", the symbol mark of Japan Football Association, is printed on the flag in front of the main shrine and is carved on the top of the Oyunohara shrine gate. The crow is believed to be the divine messenger of Kumano.

Thank you.

I'd like to show you two plans.

One (A) is we use JR train and sightseeing bus.

The other (B) is we use JR train and a private taxi.

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(A) JR train and sightseeing bus

7:30 Osaka station

12:00 Shingu station

We visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha (20min), Naci Waterfall (25 min)

Nachi Taisha andSeigantoji (60min) by sightseeing bus

15:50 Kii_Katsuura station

21:00 Osaka station

※we don't visit Kumano Hongu Taisha

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(B) JR train and private taxi

7:30 Osaka station

11:40 Kii_Katsuura station

We use private car (taxi or bus) to visit Kumano Hayatama Taisha (20min), Naci Waterfall (20 min)

Nachi Taisha and Seigantoji (50min), and Kumano Hongu Taisha (50 min).

17:44 Shingu station

22:00 Osaka station

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I'll show you the costs.

(A) plan : about 15,000yen per person.

The details are transportation fee -- about 20,000yen per person and the bus fee 3,200yen per person.

(B) plan : 15,000yen per person plus taxi fee.

The details are transportation fee -- about 20,000yen per person.

The private taxi fee depends on the number of people.

If you are less than 3 people, the cost will be about 32,000yen.

If you are 3 to 8 people, the cost will be about 46,000yen.

If you are more than 8 people, please ask me.

Thank you.