The sacred sites and pilgrimage routes running through the Kii Mountains are renowned as some of the most powerful spiritual spots in Japan: places where you can feel in harmony with some of the country's most awe-inspiring nature. The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes have inspired pilgrims for millennium. They lead to three sacred sites, offering them a chance to sense the very origins of spirituality in Japan, connecting the Kumano Sanzan, the three Grand Shrines at the heart of Japan's spiritual culture—harmoniously blending the indigenous Shinto beliefs and Buddhism. The Kumano Kodo passes through lush forests and isolated villages with panoramic mountain vistas. Sites such as the Hana-no-iwaya shrine and the Daimonzaka stone staircase which overflow with spiritual energy. In the Kii Peninsula you can trace the steps of pilgrims past. Travelers can soothe their mind, body, and soul in the unique onsen (hot springs) along the way. These thermal springs are a source of purification and miraculous healing powers.
Dorokyo is a grand canyon designated as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty. You can take a Japanese-style boat and listen to the boatman's guide as you cruise through the beautiful scenery.
Feel the ancient nature of the cliffs, huge rocks, crystal clear water, and majestic mountains.
The Nanki-Kumano Geopark features three different geological bodies created as a result of plate subduction. The unique landscapes created by these geological bodies, the wide variety of flora and fauna due to the warm and humid climate, and the Kumano worship that was born from these landscapes, allow visitors to experience a great deal of nature and culture.
