[Wakayama Sign] Kumano Kodo

What is the Kumano Kodo?

The Kumano Kodo is the general name for the pilgrimage routes that lead from Kyoto, where the capital was located, as well as Yoshino(Nara Prefecture Wakayama Prefecture), and Ise(Mie Prefecture ) to the Kumano Sanzan (Kumano Kumano Motomiya Shrine, Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine, Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, and Mount Nachi Seiganto-ji Temple ) in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula.

Surrounded by nature, Kumano has long been revered as a sacred place where gods reside, and a belief arose that by making a pilgrimage to Kumano one could entrust the gods with happiness in the afterlife. For this reason, many people, regardless of social status, age or gender, from retired emperors and aristocrats to samurai and commoners, crossed the arduous journey to Kumano. The sight of so many pilgrims lining up was even described as "ant pilgrimages to Kumano."

In 2004, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains," and even today it is visited by many tourists from both Japan and abroad.

"Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Toganoki Chaya" Photo courtesy of Wakayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

The main route of the Kumano Kodo

There are several main routes along the Kumano Kodo. Below we will introduce three of the most famous routes.

Click here for the Kumano Kodo map!

"Kumano uma-doji Statue, Nakahechi, Kumano Kodo" Photo courtesy of Wakayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

"Kumano Kodo Ohechi Nagaizaka" Photo provided by Wakayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

"Kumano Kodo Kohechi, Hatenashi Village" Photo courtesy of Kumano Motomiya Tourism Association

Kumano Kodo and the Camino de Santiago

When it comes to world-famous pilgrimage routes, many people probably think of Santiago de Compostela in Spain .

Tanabe City , Wakayama Prefecture and Santiago de Compostela City, Spain have been holding a "Common Pilgrimage" since 2015. This recognizes people who have traveled designated sections of each route as having completed the "Common Pilgrimage."

The number of people who achieved this in 2024 was a record high of 3,272, and in 2025 it is expected to increase at an even faster pace, reaching 10,000 by April 2025. Why not take this opportunity to go on a pilgrimage?

For more information about the "Common Pilgrimage" click here!

Photo courtesy of Wakayama Prefecture Tourism Federation