Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range

Kumano Kodo Ise-ji Route〜ＰａｔｈｏｆｔｈｅＰｉｌｉｇｒｉｍｓｆｒｏｍＩｓｅｔｏＫｕｍａｎｏ〜

Walking Guide Map

□ UNESCO World Heritage, Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range…… P . 1□ O v e r v i e w o f t h e K u m a n o K o d o I s e - j i R o u t e …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 , 3□ K u m a n o K o d o I s e - j i R o u t e W a l k i n g G u i d e M a p …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 4 , 5□ Meki-toge Pass…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 6□ Misesaka-toge Pass…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 7□ Nisaka-toge Pass…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 8□ T s u z u r a t o - t o g e P a s s …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 9□ Kiinagashima streets…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 1 0□ Ikkoku Hirakata Miura-toge Pass…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 1 1□ Hajikami-toge Pass…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 1 2□ M a g o s e - t o g e P a s s …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 1 3□ O w a s e s t r e e t s …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 1 4□ C r o s s i n g Y a k i y a m a M o u n t …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 1 5□ Miki-toge Hago-toge Pass…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 1 6□ S o n e - j i r o z a k a - t a r o z a k a P a s s …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 1 7□ N i g i s h i m a - t o g e O k a m i z a k a - t o g e P a s s …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 1 8□ H a d a s u - n o - m i c h i P a s s R o u t e …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 1 9□ O b u k i - t o g e P a s s …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 0□ Kannon-michi Pass Route…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 1□ Matsumoto-toge Pass…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 2□ K u m a n o S t r e e t s …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 3□ Yokogaki-toge Pass…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 4□ F u d e n - t o g e P a s s …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 5□ T o r i - t o g e P a s s M a r u y a m a - s e n m a i d a …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 6□ H o n g u - m i c h i K a w a b a t a - k a i d o R o u t e …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 7□ Hama-kaido Route（North）…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 8□ Hama-kaido Route（S o uth）…… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 2 9□ D i s t a n c e a n d w a l k i n g t i m e …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 3 0 , 3 1□ A c c e s s G u i d e …… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … P . 3 2 , 3 3

UNESCO World Heritage, Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii
Mountain Range
The Kii Peninsula is home to three ancient religious centers, Omine of Yoshino, The Three Grand Shrines of Kumano (or the
Kumano Sanzan) and Koyasan, world headquarters of the Kōyasan Shingon sect of esoteric Buddhism. These centers andthe network of pilgrimage routes which link them were recognized as UNESCO cultural world heritage sites on July 7, 2004.
Japanʼs native Shinto religion which originated from nature worship accepted Buddhism which was introduced from the
Korean peninsula in the 7th century. Here, that acceptance lead to a blending of the two religions, which can be seen in
the architecture of religious buildings and how they harmonize with the natural environment. This played a factor in The
Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range being recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Kii Mountain Range has from times forgotten been considered to be a special place, a place inhabited by the divine.
In the case of Buddhism, pilgrims used the tough mountain paths as a training ground to become closer to Buddha. The
Goddess of Kannon and the Amitabha Buddha have the ability of deliverance from sin and worldly passions believed to be
the source of all human suffering. By undergoing this hard, arduous training, pilgrims hoped to gain this same ability.
Though the sacred centers of Omine of Yoshino, Kumano Sanzan and Koyasan differ in origin and belief, the network ofpaths that connects them was born and took on its own role linking this trinity.
The Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range which span
Wakayama, Nara and Mie prefectures are blessed with deep remote mountains andraw nature without which the religious centers never could have been founded. It isthe natural and cultural surroundings that emphasize the role of each of the threecenters and the “PATH” linking them that shares their message with the world. This
combination is like none other in the world. We hope you can sense this for yourself
as you walk these holy routes.

1

An old saying goes, “Three out of seven trips to Ise, be sure to continue
on to Kumano.”
The Iseji Route of the Kumano Kodo
The Iseji Route of the Kumano Kodo ( “Ancient Pilgrimage Roads” ) links Ise Shrine and the region of
Kumano. This is the route which pilgrims from eastern Japan walked on their way to Kumano down theeast coast of the Kii peninsula.
It is a mountainous route crossing many passes, but rewarding as you get a new view of the old stone path
after each bend.
This path was already being used as a pilgrimage route from about a thousand years ago, however theroute from Osaka (Nakahechi) was more popular then. It wasn’t until around the 15th century that Iseji
surpassed Nakahechi when a new pilgrimage route gained popularity. First, visit Ise Shrine, then change
into white burial robes of pilgrims seeking rebirth and come down the Iseji Route to the sacred Kumano
Sanzan. After that, pilgrims would continue on to the 1000km Saigoku
Kannon Pilgrimage through western Japan.

2

Paths of prayer
A new breath of life
Ise – Kumano
Pilgrimage to a sacred land
The idea that we are constantly surrounded by countless deities representing aspects of nature, sometimes
even coming in contact with them, is an intrinsic part of the Japanese way of life. The native Shinto religion
and imported Buddhism respect each other, and coexist as their various relations change through the ages.
It came to be that there was no border between them as they merged into a harmonious coalescence, in
their festivals and rituals. Most people here believed without question that something divine inhabited theocean, forests and fields, mountains and rivers.
This tolerant benevolence is rooted at the base of how Japanese people perceive and sense new ideas like
Buddhism.
Though Mother Nature is sometimes severe, Kumano is blessed with great nature. From times of old, trees,
big rocks and waterfalls have been worshiped, and we have received thislegacy of nature worship.
So we hope that as you travel through this region, you can sense thesource of our faith and to help with that, this booklet introduces you tothe many stone statues, temples and shrines, famous sights and history
which can be found alongside the Iseji route.
We invite you to feel the divine hiding within the mountains, rivers grass
and trees as you walk through the Kumano region.

3

Walking
Guide
Map

I

se

ＰａｔｈｏｆｔｈｅＰｉｌｉｇｒｉｍｓｆｒｏｍＩｓｅｔｏＫｕｍａｎｏ

te

Ku

o
od

ano K
m

-ji R o u

Taki Station

Meki-toge Pass

Misesaka-toge Pass
Nisaka-toge Pass
Tsuzurato-toge Pass

Mie Prefecture

Kiinagashima streets

Seiwa-taki JCT

Taki Town

Misedani Station

Hajikami-toge Pass

Omiya-odai IC

Magose-toge Pass
Crossing Yakiyama Mount

Odai Town

Watarai Town

Taiki Town

Miki-toge Hago-toge Pass

Minamiise Town

Sone-jirozaka-tarozaka Pass

Kisei-Ouchiyama IC

Nigishima-toge Okamizaka-toge Pass
Hadasu-no-michi Pass RouteObuki-toge Pass

Kiinagashima IC
Kiinagashima Station

Tamaki Town

Iseshi
StationIse IC

Ise-jingu
Ise City Grand
ShrineKisei Higｈway

Ikkoku Hirakata Miura-toge Pass

Owase streets

Tamaru Station

Ise Highway

260

Kannon-michi Pass RouteMichi-no-eki
Kii-nagashima Manbou Rest Station

Kihoku Town

Matsumoto-toge Pass

Kihoku PA（Hajikami Terrace）

Kumano Streets

Tori-toge Pass Maruyama-senmaida
Hongu-michi Kawabata-kaido RouteHama-kaido Route（North）

Owase-kita IC
Owase Station

Hama-kaido Route（South）

Owase City

Nara
PrefectureJR

Miyama IC

Michi-no-eki
ＭｉｙａｍａRest Station

Ki

Fuden-toge Pass

se

iL

ine

Yokogaki-toge Pass

Kumano Kodo Ise-ji RouteHighway
National RouteRailway

Owase-minami IC

Kumano Kodo
Main RouteMikisato IC
Kata IC
Kumano-atashika IC

Tategasaki

Yoshinoyama Mountain

Kumano City Kumano-ohdomari IC
Kumano-shi Station

Onigajo Castle
Shishi Iwa - The Lion RockHana-no-iwaya Shrine

Mihama Town

Koyasan-choishimichi Route

Wakayama
Prefecture
TanabeCity

Kumanogawa River

Omine-Okugake-michi
Owase
Route
City

Kohechi

KumanoCity
KumanoHongu

Nakahechi Kumanohongutaisha
ShrineOhechiShingu Station

KihokuTown

KumanoNachi

Kumano-nachitaisha
ShrineKushimoto Town

5

Mihama
Town
Kiho
Town

Hana-no-iwaya
Shrinewa

Wakayama
PrefectureMichi-no-eki
Park-shichirimihama Rest Station
Michi-no-eki
Umigame-koen Rest Station

Mie Prefecture

TamaruStationTakihara-gu Shrine

Koyasan Mountain

ga
no
ma
Ku iverR

Kiho Town

Shic
Seas hiri-mihahore maHongu-michi

Path of the Piligrims
from Ise to Kumano

Kumanohayatama

Kumano-hayatama-taisha
ShrineKumano-nada Sea

Ise
City

Ise-jingu
Grand Shrine

Meki-toge Pass
Tochiga-ike Pond

To Tamaki Town

To Route42

Wagon tracks

Taki Town

Long ago, wagons used to use this partof the route. It is easy to see their tracks
even now.

To Seiwa・Taki IC

To Tamaki IC

Ise Highw

ay

Shin-Meki Tunnel The cut-away
at the pass

The prayer monument andthe goddess of mercy

Wagon tracks
The prayer monument and the goddess of mercy

Site of Tea House
Meki-toge Pass（120m）

A prayer stone with the words, "Namu
Amida Butsu" (a mantra repeated inorder to never forget Buddha's grace). A
statue of a guardian of mercy isenshrined inside the small shine.

The ﬁrst pass of the road from Ise to Kumano（Iseji Route）is surroundedin bamboo. The path is carved into the bedrock to make it easer to pass.

Signpost

Walking RouteThe remains ofOugase Temple

Ougase

The cut-away at the pass

It is said that they carved out 1000 slabs
of graphite to clear the way for this path.
This must have been an enormous
amount of work considering the limited
tools they had for excavation at the time.

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Pond

Satomichi
Signpost ofｔhe trailhead

The remains of Ougase Temple

The temple which stood here long ago
was built by the order of Emperor
Shotoku in the year 766. Roof tiles andother artifacts dating from the Nara
period (710 to 794) were excavatedfrom the area.

Approx. 1.8Kｍ
45mins.

Pilgrims making their way to the Three Grand
Shrines of Kumano would ﬁrst pray at Ise Grand Shrine, after which
they would make their way to Tamaru and change into pilgrimage
clothes. This is the ﬁrst pass they would cross after starting theirjourney to the Kumano San Zan. Even during the day it is quite dark
and you can feel its long history.

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

Meeting place of Ougase
6Misesaka-toge Pass
To Misedani
Takihara Shrine
Myouyakuji Temple

The former
Signpost ferry landing

Guardian
Deity

Miyagawa River

Takihara Shrine

Japanese mythology tells of the goddess
Yamatohime crossing the Miyagawa river
and was guided from there by Managonokami. Her guide is enshrined here. The
quiet atmosphere gives you a sense of
the depth of the history of this place.

Steep of Misesaka-toge PassWinding path

Guardian Deity

Some say that this statue of a guardiandeity was put up and worshiped to protect
travelers while another theory claims that
there was an epidemic here and it was put
up to keep the sickness from spreading.
Which is true is lost in history.

Taiki Town

Misesaka-toge Pass
（265ｍ）
Guardian Deity is
To Odai Twnplaced in a stone hut
Kisei Highway Omiya-Odai IC

Site of Tea House

Joyato lamps

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

To Takihara-no-miya Shrine
Michi-no-eki Kitsutsuki-kan Rest Station
Ｔｏ Ｏｗａｓｅ

Joyato lamps
They say that long ago that this wasused as a road marker for travelers,
while some believe these lamps marked
holy places.

Walking RouteOuchiyama-gawa
River

Pond

Horeki Guardian Statue
The guardian statue in this enclosure
was put up in the 1756.

7

Approx. 2.2Kｍ
1hr.

Pilgrims would cross the river at Mise and say
goodbye to Miyagawa, then make their way towards Misesaka Pass.
At 256m, it is not very high, but the path is quite steep. The sight ofthe old tea house and the guardian statue which is said to have been
put up in 1756 help you feel the deep history of this route. The path
is in good condition, making it a good choice for non-seasoned hikers.

Nisaka-toge Pass
Haiku Monument
To Matsusaka
of Kisyu-ko
Kisei-ouchiyama IC
Ouchiyama-gawa
River
Teraurabashi
Umegadani Station
BridgeHachibashira Shrine
There are guardian deities at
Ouchiyama-gawa River area.
This place is known as abeauty spot for cherry
blossoms in the spring andfor autumn leaves in the fall.

Ikoi Rock

Nisaka Tunnel

Taiki Town
Tsuzurato-toge Pass（357m）

The Viewpoint at Manbou
Okimi-daira（View spot）
AzaleaWalking Route

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Kihoku Town

Kisei Highway
Hana-hiroba（Rest spot）

Site of the Milestone

Ikoi Rock

Nagasima PortIn April and May this grove of azaleas
come in full bloom, accented by theyoung green leaves of spring. You canenjoy any season in this well-lit woodlandwith its many types of trees.

Okimi-daira Viewpoint
This is the perfect place to take a breakwith a spectacular view. Two poems
written by the travel writer Suzuki
Bokushi in the Edo period (1603 - 1868)
are written on boards put up here.

Shishigaki
Just after you leave the forestry road,you should see a short stone wall calleda "shishigaki" paralleling the path. Thiswas built to keep wild boar from ravaging
the crops.

Nisaka-toge Pass Guidepost
Nisaka-toge Pass There is asite of Tea House（241m）
Sanbonmatsu（Site of Chohachichaya Tea House）

Shishigaki
To pass under R42

Hall of Koshin
Michi-no-eki Kii-nagashima
Manbou Rest Station
Magotaro Tunnel
Kii-nagashima IC
Higashi-nagashima Tunnel
Katagami-ike Pond
Line
Kihoku Town Oﬃce
isei
KR
Akaba-gawa
J
River
Fureai-hiroba Mandoro
Kii-nagashima Station

Uomachi
To Owase

Small shrine of Three jizo

The Azalea Path

Travelers always used this rock as abench, so it got the name, "Ikoi Ishi" or
The Rest Rock. The cool wind coming
over this ridge makes it an excellent
place to take a break.

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

To Nishiki

Kumano-nada Recreation City

Approx. 7.5Kｍ ｆrom Umegadani Station to Kii-Nagashima Station
2hrs. and 30mins.

About 300 years ago, these roads werebeing repaired and this route replaced the old steeper
route, Tsuzura Pass making this the oﬃcial entrance to theKii Provence and Kumano. After crossing the pass, there isa deciduous forest, much like you would have seen 300
years ago.

8

Tsuzurato-toge Pass
To Matsusaka
Haiku Monument
Ouchiyama-gawa of Kisyu-ko
Kisei-ouchiyama IC
River
There is the statue ofGuardian Deity
Tsuzurato-toge
Sanjyusan-Kannon on the way.
Pass Guidepost
Nakano-bashi Teraura-bashi
BridghBridghUmegadani Station
Sho-Koen Park
Fire Center（Rest spot）
Tochiko-bashi Hachibashira Shrine
BridghThere are guardian deities at
Tochiko-gawaOuchiyama-gawa River area.
River
This place is known as abeauty spot for cherry

We enter the Kumano Kodo from here.

Forestry Tani-gawa River is one of the Taiki Town
Road upstream of Miya-gawa River.
Tsuzurato-toge Pass（357m）
Stone walls of
Nozurazumi

Stone Statue ofMountain God

Stone Path
Stone Statue ofMountain God
Shiko-oku
Hana-hiroba（Rest spot）

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

ForestryRoad
Signpost
Guardian
Deity

Hall of Koshin

Kisei Highway

Kihoku Town

Michi-no-eki Kii-nagashima
Manbou Rest Station

Kii-nagashima IC
Higashi-nagashima Tunnel

Akaba-gawa
River
Tsuzurato-toge
Pass Guidepost
Higashi-nagashima Community Hall

Uomachi
To Owase

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）
Mago-taro Tunnel

ine

Katagami-ike
L
Pond
Kihokuei
Kis
Town Oﬃce
JR
Fureai-hiroba Mandoro
Kii-nagashima
StationNagashima Port

Tsuzurato-toge Pass
Elevation 357 meters. This is the ﬁrst
point where pilgrims heading to the
Kumano Three Grand Shrines ﬁrst get alook at the Sea of Kumano.

Stone walls of Nozurazumi
Along the valley, you can see stone walls
here and there. Their history goes way
back, and they have protected the roadfrom years and years of wind and rainerosion.

Stone path
The stone path zig-zags its way throughthe plush green of the ferns, it almost
looks like stitching by a seamstress.

Nisaka-toge Pass
（241m）Walking Route

Shiko-gawa
River

Mini Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage Statues

The dethroned Emperor Kazan on a pilgrimage to Kumano
came here and set up a miniature version of the Saigoku
Kannon Pilgrimage of 33 Buddhist temples worshiping deitiesof mercy. The 33 statues of mercy here on this miniatureversion represent each of the temples on the oﬃcial pilgrimage.

Tsuzurato-toge
blossoms in the spring andfor autumn leaves in the fall.
Pass Guideboard
Tsuzurato-toge Pass the trailhead
Nisaka Tunnel

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

To Taiki
Town Nishiki

Kumano-nada
Recreation City

Approx. 9.5Kｍｆrom Umegadani Station to Kii-Nagashima Station
4hrs.

This pass was at one point, the border between
the province of Ise and the province of Kii. About 300 years ago
when Nisaka Pass replaced this path as the main road and gateway
to Kumano, this was only used by locals to get to the next village until
the 1930s. The well preserved stonework makes the steep
switchbacks worth the work.

9

Kiinagashima streets
To Tsuzurato-toge Pass ,Nisaka-toge Pass

Kihoku Town

Michi-no-eki
Kii-nagashima Manbo
Rest Station

Kii-nagashima IC
Kihoku Town Oﬃce
Kisei Highway

Akaba-gawaRiver

Walking Route

Ma

go

-ta

oK

n
ma

Ku

o
aid

Katagami-ike
Pond

ei

Kis
JR
Yokai-in Temple
Kii-nagashima Station

ro

Tu

e
Lin

nn

el

The rest stop, Manbo and Lake Katagami

To Nisakatoge Pass

The rest stop Manbo is at the base ofboth Tsuzurato and Nisaka Passes. Next
to it is Lake Katagami. In winter, it is agreat place to have a bite to eat while
watching the ducks which have ﬂown
here for the winter.

Chorakuji Temple

This was the family temple for the Katoclan, who were the lords of this area.
The family's hereditary succession wasrecorded on many written records foundhere. In the end of winter, the famous
270-year-old "ume" tree (Japanese plum)with red blossoms comes into full bloom.

Nagashima Shrine and the Giant Camphor Tree
Nagashima
TunnelSidewalk
TunnelFire Station
Lift Bridge

Chorakuji Temple
Multipurpose Hall

Nagashima-wan Bay

Fish Market
Bukkoji Temple（Memorial Monument of Tunami）
Townscape of the neighborhood of Uo-machi
Eno-ura-ohashi Bridge

To Ikkokutoge Pass

Nagashima Shrine and the Giant Camphor Tree

The huge trees here in this shrine havebeen designated as Japanese natural
treasure.
They include camphor,
Japanese cedar, Japanese yew and oak.
The huge 1000 year old camphor on
your right as you enter is particularly
marvelous.

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

10

The ﬁsh shop

This part of town is like a time capsule,preserving the old ways of life. Pleaseenjoy the narrow lanes, the store fronts
and the small shrine on the corner in thispleasant ﬁshing village.

Ikkoku Hirakata Miura-toge Pass
Kata-kyokai-mae Bus Stop
Railroad Crossing
Guardian Deity
Guideboard
Ikkoku-toge Pass（73m）

Kodo-no-eki

NagashimatuunnelHall of Koshin Hirakata-toge Pass
Forestry Road
Viewing Spot

Enoura Tunnel

The viewpoint at Point Sabohana

Kaino

Kii-nagashima Furusato-onsen Hot Spring
Hiike Bathing Beach
The Viewpoint

The guardian deity
The guardian statue at the trailhead of
Ikkoku Pass has a round head and isvery charming.

Furusato Community HallWith its breathtaking view of the coast,
ocean and islands and a gazebo, this isthe best place to have lunch.

Furusato Bathing Beach

Kihoku Town
Furusato Sidewalk Tunnel
Furusato Tunnel

Hotel Trace
The viewpoint at Point Sabohana
Stairway
Wakamiya Shrine
Maruyama-ｊima Island
Red Bridge

Kisei Highway
Walking Route

Wakamiya Shrine

Doze Beach

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

You can ﬁnd this peaceful little shrine
just before you reach Doze Beach.

Doze

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Miura-toge Pass
（113m）
WoodenBridgeMiura-toge-michi Road（Kumagaya-michi Road）the trailhead
Doze Tunnel

Miura

Doze Tunnel
Doze Sidewalk Tunnel
Toyoura Shrine

Minose Station
Kaizoji Temple

Doze Beach
If you come in the right season, you can
see a seaweed called "tengusa" being
dried. This neighborhood gives you aglimpse into life in a small ﬁshing village.
Have your camera ready for the view of
the islands ﬂoating on the horizon.

Approx. 7.6Kｍｆrom Kata-kyokai-mae Bus Stop to Minose Station
3hrs.

You cross 3 passes on your way from
Nagashima to Miura, Ikkoku, Hirakata, Miura Passes. The
gentle slopes make this an easy course with stunning vistasof the coastline and intimate views into the way of life in
traditional ﬁshing villages. You can even enjoy a bath in a
hot spring on the way.

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

The Viewpoint
The Viewpoint of Takatsuka-yama
11

Hajikami-toge Pass
To Taiki Town
Kisei Highway
Hajikami-toge Pass Guidepost
Walking Route

Miura

Minose Station

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Retaining Stone Wall
Hajikami-toge Pass
（147m）

Kihoku Town

Masonry from the Meiji period

Water
Pipe

Here and there along this road you cansee excellent stonework from the Meiji
era (1858-1912) .

Restaurant
The trailhead
Hajikami-sakura-hiroba Area Space
Cherry Avenue
Power Station

The Edo roadThe
Juni-magari-no-sekihi Monument
Edoroad
The trailhead
Viewpoint at the pass
Miyatani-ike
Pond
Ofuna-gawa
JR Kisei LineRiver

Hajikami-toge Pass

Elevation 147 meters. There used to be atea house here where travelers could take abreak. All that is left now is the foundation.

The Meiji road

Okochi-gawa River
Ofune-bashi Bridge

Daiichi-byoin Hospital

Viewpoint at the pass

The islands of Kii Matsushima seem be
ﬂoating in the sea of Kumano makes fora spectacular view. On a clear day you
can see all the way to the Shima
peninsula 45km to the NE.

Hajikami-toge Pass Guidepost

Umaze

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Yaguchi-ura

Funatsu Station

Kamizato

To Owase

The Edo road
These steps are only paved with stone on the front edge. On arainy day the road would get muddy and straw sandals (thecommon footwear of the day) would require periodic cleaning. In
several places along the way, you can ﬁnd drainage gutterscrossing the path, which both protected these roads from erosion
and provided a place to wash the mud out of your sandals.

Approx. 3.5Kｍ
1hr. and 50mins.

Hajikami-toge pass is the border of Kihoku-cho
Nagashima and Miyama to the south. You have a choice between the
Edo and Meiji routes, which meet at the pass. While the Edo route isa little harder, they are both comparatively easy routes, and thepanoramic view of the islands on the Sea of Kumano on the Edoroute will make it worth the extra eﬀort.

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

12

Magose-toge Pass
Bin-no-yama
Mount

Aiga
Station

Aiga

Hosenji Temple
Magose-toge
Pass Guidepost

Birthplace ofTanemaki Gonbei

Public Parking Lot

Choshi-gawaRiver

Camp inn
MiyamaMichi-no-eki Miyama Rest Station

Washige Bus Stop（Walk from here）
Kisei Highway
Binshi-yama Mount（599m）The Guardian Statue for Crying Children

This statue was originally put up for
travelers to pray for a safe journey, butlater became known as the place to pray
if your child cries at night.

The Guardian Statue for Crying Children

Site of theMilestone

Stone Path
Forestry Road

Kihoku Town

Inohana-suiheido Road
Monument to the poet Karyoen Toitsu

Magose-toge
Pass（325m）

The stone bridge and path

A big slab of stone serves as a bridgeover this small stream. This is just one ofmany places to take a photo of the stonepath.

Tengura-san Mount（Viewing Spot）（522m）
Sakura Guardian Statue

The Viewpoint at
Magose Park

Owase Station

Iwaya-doMagose-fudoson
TempleMagose-toge
Pass Guidepost
Owase-kita IC

Owase City

Magose Park

Kitagawa-bashi
BridgeWalking RouteInohana-suiheido Road

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Monument to the poet Karyoen Toitsu

Noguchi Ujou Monument Inscribed with Poem
Memorial Monument of Tsunami

At the pass stands a tall rock with a poem
written by the famous poet, KaryoenToitsu on his visit to Kumano in 1852. The
poem reads,Blossoms of the night above asound can be heard ahh, mountain water.

Park
Magose-ya
Association of Sightseeing in
Cooperative Owase Product

Owase City Hall

Owase Port

Owase-wan Bay

Nakagawa River
Owase-mita
Power Station
Yano-kawaRiver
Owase Folk Song Monument
Yaki-yama the Trailhead

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

Osone-ura Station
Mie prefecture Kumano-kodo Center
Yumekodo Owase（Souvenir・Restaurant・Hot Spring）

The viewpoint at Magose park

You can enjoy cherry blossoms andazaleas from spring to early summer, andother wild ﬂowers in fall. This gazebo hasa great view.

Approx. 5.2Kｍ from Michi-no-eki Miyama Rest Station to Owase Station
2hrs. and 45mins.

The city of Owase is one of the rainiest places in Japanbut the large paving stones seemingly woven along this path protect it fromwater erosion. For those who have time and energy for an extra side course, you
can make your way up to the peak, Tengura-san, about 30 min. from the pass, orBinshi-yama about 2 hrs. from the pass. They both command breathtaking viewsof the surrounding mountains and the Sea of Kumano dotted with islands.

13

Owase streets
To Magose-toge Pass
JR Kisei Line

Kisei Highway

Owase City
Owase-kita IC

Memorial Monumentof Tｓunami
Owase Shrine and Association of Sightseeing in Cooperative Owase ProductKongoji Temple （tourist information center ）Owase Shrine and Kongoji Temple

Here you can see a huge camphor tree
estimated to be 1000 years old at theentrance to the shrine and the two Deva
King statues guarding the gate of thetemple next door. Owase's Ya Ya(quarreling) festival is held fromFebruary 1st to 5th. With loud shouts,
groups of men violently ram into othergroups. You can see it on YouTube.

Magose-ya
Fish Market

Owase Station

Nakamura Mount Park and Owase
Owase Port
Astronomical Science Museum
Nenbutuji Temple
Owase-wan Bay
Kumano Kaido
Owase-osakanaichiba-ototo Shop
Doi-kodomo-kurasikan Joseiji Temple
Doike-satokura
Nakagawa River
Sodekata-bashi Bridge andYanohamado
Owase-mita
Power Station
Doi Bamboo Grove

Sodekata Bashi bridge and Yanohamado
The many stone sign posts that can still befound here attest to large numbers of pilgrimsthat came this way. Here at this gateway to
Kumano is told a legend as old as the hills.
When people ﬁrst started settling this area
thousands of years ago, two settlement
appeared on each side of the harbor. Eachsent a young emissary to investigate andthey just happened to meet here. They talked
and became friends, and when it was time togo home, they exchange a sleeve from their
shirt as proof to the people back at theirvillage of the encounter. And thus, Sodekata
Bashi, "one sleeve bridge."

Bezai-ｊima Island
Yano-kawaRiver
Hokyointo Stone Monument

Yanohama-koen ParkMie prefecture Kumano-kodo Center
Yumekodo Owase（Souvenir・Restaurant・Hot Spring）
Owase Folk Song Monument

Doi-kodomo-kurasikan and Doike-satokura

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）
To Kumano City

To Kuki , Haida

Yaki-yama the Trailhead
14

The old western style building and the
traditional storehouse are used todisplay one of Japan's leading exhibits of
antique toys at the "Doi Kodomo
Kurashikan" (by advanced reservationonly). You can also enjoy the atmosphereof the streets of Owase and feel how
things used to be back in the good olddays. The Doi family built an emergency
disaster relief warehouse on high groundsafe from tsunamis.

Bezai-ｊima Island

Just oﬀ the coast from the Mie
prefecture Kumano-Kodo Center is an
island with a red gate called Benzai Jima
Island. There is a shrine dedicated to
Benzaiten. Sometimes on the low tide,
you can walk out to the island and enjoy
observing the tide pools on the way.

Crossing Yakiyama Mount
Nakagawa River
Owase-mita
Power Station

Yaki-yama
Guidepost

Yano-kawaRiver

Parking Lot

Owase-wan Bay

Osone-koen Park
Osoneura Station
Mie prefecture Kumano-kodo Center
Mukai-nisi Bus Stop
（Walk from here)
Yumekodo Owase
Owase Folk Song Monument（souvenir・Restaurant・Hot Spring）
The Trailhead
Gravestones of fallen pilgrims
From these gravestones you can see how widely popular thispilgrimage route was. The ﬁrst grave belongs to a man from Ibaraki(500km NE), the second from Nagasaki on the southern island of
Kyushu (800km W) and the third from Hiroshima (500km W). Sadly,some of the pilgrims couldn't survive the journey, but local people
generously gave them a proper burial.

Gravestones of fallen pilgrims

Site of Palanquin Station
Choseki Stone（From here）
Gotton-ishi Stone
Seijunshonin Tombstone
Memorial Monument of PílgrɪmTenbo-no-oka Hill
Shin-yaki-yama
Forestry Road
Yaki-yama Tunnel
Nanamagari
Kenko-to-yutori-no-mori
Sakura-chaya Milestone
Rengeishi, Eboshiishi Signboard
Kojindo778
To Kumano
Kuki-toge Pass
TempleOwase City Yaki-yama Mount（520m）（647m）
Site of Miki-toge-chaya Tea House
Kumano-Owase Highway
Choseki Stone Miki-toge（Up to here） Pass
The Meiji road
Walking Route

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）
Mikisato IC

Mikisato-cho
Mikisato Station

Yaso-gawa River

Kojindo and the grave of Mampoin
Many pilgrims came here to worship here before starting the Saigoku
Kannon Pilgrimage of 33 Buddhist temples worshiping deities ofmercy. Nearby stands the grave of an ascetic mountain priest whocame to here to drive out the bandits on this stretch of the road.

The Edo The viewpoint at the top（641ｍ）
road
Kenko-to-yutori-no-mori
Site of Jugoro-chaya
Signboard
Tea House

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Site of Palanquin Station

Kutu-gawaRiver
Honenji
TempleThe Milestone of Nagara
Shishigaki
Yaki-yama Guidepost

Mikisato Bathing Beach

15

Nanamagari
This is the steepest slope on this route,the most diﬃcult on the route to Kumano
from Ise. The stone steps seem to keep
climbing on and on endlessly.

The viewpoint at the top

On a clear day, there is a magniﬁcentview up and down the coast. There is anarbor so you can have lunch out of therain when the weather is bad.

Approx. 10.1Kｍｆrom Mie prefecture Kumano-kodo Center to Mikisato Station
5hrs.

This is the most grueling leg of the Iseji. It used to be feared bypilgrims because it was plagued with bandits and wolves. This route is has many Buddhiststone statues along the wayside. There are many historical spots and stunning views, but ata price. Both the ascent and decent are steep, and seasoned hikers can experience ﬁrst hand
how pilgrims felt on their way to Kumano.NOTE that the Meiji course is not safe as a hiking
course, Please take the Edo route which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Miki-toge Hago-toge Pass
The Milestoneof Nagara

Mikisato-cho

Kumano-Owase Highway
Mikisato IC

Honenji
TempleMikisato Station

Yaso-gawaRiver

Mikisato Beach
Mikisato
Bathing Beach

Signpost

Owase City

Yokone-michi
PathWalking Route

The Trailhead

Igadani Tunnel
JR Kisei Line

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Kata-cho

Katahaneﬁve-ringed tower

Kata Elementary
SchoolTo Kata IC・Route 42

Miki-toge
Pass（120m）

Tonosama-michi Path

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

Yaki-yama
Guidepost

JA

Furukawa
River
Site of North Checking
Point in Feudal Japan Kata
StationFire Station

Hago-toge Yamano-kami
Pass（140m） Small Shrine

WauchiTunnelShishigaki

Viewing Spot

Farm Viewpoint near the passRoad
Mie prefecture
aquaculture Center
Aqua Station

Signpost
This stone signpost reads, "Left for the
Kumano-michi."Viewpoint near the passOnce you reach Miki-toge Pass, you can takethe trail towards the sea to the viewpoint.
There are some benches on the top with a viewof the Sea of Kumano and the town of Mikiura.

Shishigaki
The path crosses this stone fence built
farmers about 300 years ago to keep
wild boars from destroying rice paddies.

Katahane ﬁve-ringed tower
This Gorintō ("ﬁve-ringed tower") was put
here about 400 years ago. In Buddhist
thought, the ﬁve levels of this tower
represent the ﬁve elements that make up
the universe. It is thought that this is agrave of a local lord.

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Owase-shinsosui-shio-gakusya

Approx. 6Kｍ from Mikisato Station to Kata Station
3hrs.

Thanks to the locals, this old road has been
excavated in recent years. It is still broken up in places where theoriginal road couldn't be found, but you can catch views of the ocean
through the trees now and then. The stone fences stretches on andon from the pass. This and the abandoned terraced ﬁelds and ricepaddies gives us a peek in to how life used to be.

Kata-wan Bay

16Sone-jirozaka-tarozaka Pass
Furukawa
River
Site of North Checking
Point in Feudal Japan

Kata-wan Bay

Guardian Deity
without a neck
Asuka Shrine（Giant Camphor Tree）
Owase City A Monolith Bridge
Stone Statue Sone jirozaka-tarozaka Guidepost
Traveler's Guardian Deity
Kata
StationFire Station

The grave of Sone Danjo

The Trailhead（Mukaiji Graveyard）
Site of South Checking
Point in Feudal Japan

Site of Sone-jyo Castle
The grave of Sone Danjo

Shishigaki

Site of The Milestone Sone
Kujira-iwa Rock

Kumano City Sone-zaka

Uphill Path

The stone quarry

Not far from the trail, there is a quarry that provided some of thestone to build the grand Edo Castle in present day Tokyo. The
Shogun demanded lords from all corners of Japan to provide thestone to build him the greatest castle in Japan and keep the lords
busy. Idle hands are the devil's tools! They chiseled holes and usedwedges to cut the huge stones, and scraps were used to pave thispath. You can ﬁnd chisel marks in some of the stones around here.

Shishigaki
Gravestones offallen pilgrims

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Sone jirozaka-tarozaka Guidepost
Tarozaka Park
（Viewing Spot）

Christianity Stone Lantern
Nigishima Station

Hobo-toge Pass
（Where Hoji Teahouse once stood）

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Hobo-cho

Whales Monument

The stone quarry

Walking Route

Hobo-toge
Pass（305m）

Site of Hoji-chaya Tea House
Sone jirozaka- Tatemiga-oka Hilltarozaka Pass

Shishigaki
Monument

This stone fence was built to protect ﬁelds
and paddies from wild boars. At the southend, there is a memorial stone commemorating its completion, something that is usually
not seen in other parts of the country.

Gravestones of fallen pilgrims

Sone Tunnel

OhkawaRiver

Shishigaki

About 450 years ago, people in this village were at theend of their rope over the deterioration of public safety
in this area. They asked Sasaki Uemon for help. After
arriving from central Japan (Shiga) took on the name,Sone Danjo and he restored peace and law to the land.

Nigishima-wan Bay
Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

Nigishima-cho
17This teahouse got its name because thiswas the border between the kingdom of
Shima to the north and Kii to the south in
the middle ages (about 600 years ago.)

Approx. 5.7Kｍ from Kata Station to Nigishima Station
3hrs.

This course takes you over Hobo-toge Pass,the border between Owase and Kumano. In addition to its historicalsigniﬁcance, this route also oﬀers beautiful stone paths and the wallto keep animals out amidst deserted terraced ﬁelds. This route is also
lined with graves of pilgrims, perhaps already tired from Yakiyama,
they reached here and couldn't go on anymore.

Nigishima-toge Okamizaka-toge Pass
Shishigaki
Shishigaki
Monument

OhkawaRiver

Kumano City

Sone jirozaka-tarozaka Guidepost
Tarozaka Park
（Viewing Spot）

Nigishima-eki
Bus Stop

Walking Route

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Nigishima-toge
Pass Guidepost
Small Shrine
Nigishima-toge
Pass（240m）
Shogoro-zenkichi Guardian Statue
Stone Path
Shishigaki-Tanada Trace
Minato-gawaRiver
Okamizaka-toge
Stone Path
Pass（290m）
Okamizaka Tunnel
Kumano-Owase
Highway

Nigishima Station

Atashika-cho

Nigishima-cho

Okamizaka-toge Pass
The pass (290m above sea level) is
covered in a forest. Long ago there used
to be a big pine tree with a teahousestanding under it.

Sato-gawaRiver
Site of Futamataan
Trace
Kumanoatashika IC
Atashika
StationYuki-cho

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Atashika-wan Bay

Okamizaka-toge Pass Guidepost
Atashika Bathing Beach

Deserted ﬁelds and the stone wall
These used to be rice paddies, and thestone wall to keep the wild boars out still
remains.

Nigishima-togeguti
Bus Stop

Yuki Fishing Port
Koshindo
Minato Bus Stop

Graves of fallen pilgrims
Near the milepost marker that used to standhere, there stand, 8 graves stones along the sideof the path of pilgrims who died along the way.

Nigishima-wan
Bay

Whales Monument
Christianity Stone Lantern
Gravestones of fallen pilgrims

Approx. 4.6Kｍ from Nigishima Station to Atashika Station
3hrs.

Phonetically, one who knows some Japanesemight think Okami-zaka (wolf-pass) got its name because wolves
often appeared here. But a closer look at the Chinese charactersreveals another meaning, "where deities meet" because this was theborder between the deities of Kumano and Ise. Most of this route iscovered with moss.

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

A stone tablet with a Chora Miura haiku inscribed on it
Pilgrimage Signpost
Atashika Bus Stop
Atashika-ko Bus Stop
Tokushi Shrine
Site of Atashika Junior High School

Koshindo（The view of Atashika Beach）
Shortly after the pass, you can see
Atashika Beach shining in the sun. Thereis a guardian stone to protect thecommunity at the edge of town where
pilgrims prayed and gave thanks for safe
travels so far.

18

Hadasu-no-michi Pass RouteSato-gawaRiver

Atashika
Bus Stop

Walking Route

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Atashika
Bathing Beach

Kumanoatashika IC
Atashika
StationTokushi Shrine
Kumano Kodo around here isa winding road along Route 311.

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）
Site of Atashika Junior High School
Atashika-ko
Bus Stop

Hadasu Tunnel

Atashika-wan Bay

Saigyomatsu Trace
Kamakura period Stone path

Kumano City

Hadasu Shrine

Hadasu-shogakko-mae Bus Stop
Tennyo-za
The Footprint Spring
Site of Otake-chaya Tea House
Jofuku-no-sato Hadasu（Guideboard）
The inscribed stone
Nishi-hadasu
Bus Stop
Kannon-michi Path
Daikan-shishigakimichi Path

Higashi-hadasu Bus Stop
Site of Oji
Hadasu-no-michi Guidepost

Kamakura period Stone path

Jofuku Shrine

The oldest paving stones on the Iseji Route are from the Kamakura
period (1185‒1333). The stones use to pave paths in those days
were much larger than those used in later periods, making it easy
to distinguish from roads paved in the Edo period (1603‒1868) .

2200 years ago, Emperor Qin's doctor, Jofuku came seeking theelixir of life and brought with him knowledge of the advanced
civilization of China. The locals learned new techniques for farming,
pottery, medicine and so on. Even when Japan went to war in China
100 years ago, the locals' reverence for Jofuku never wavered.

Jofuku-no-sato Hadasu（milepost）
Jofuku Shrine
Shorinji Temple
Jofuku-no-sato Hadasu（Guideboard）
Hadasu Station
Gravestones of fallen pilgrims

Hadasu-cho

Obuki-toge
Pass Guidepost

The Footprint Spring

Osaki-hanto
Peninsula

The famous Buddhist monk, Kobodaishi (founder of Koya-san)is said to have passed this way. He left a footprint in the stone
here where this hole is, and magically, holy water sprang forth.
They say this divine water will cure anything that ails you.

Obuki-togeguchi（Hadasu）Bus Stop
The Trailhead
Inai-ura Beach
Noson-koen Park

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

19

The inscribed stone

There is a big rock in front of the house of a lord that ruled here longago. A couple who the lord had wronged before settling here had sought
him out to seek revenge, but the lord's retainers cut them down when
they attacked. The lord reﬂected on this tragedy and had thesecharacters carved on this rock. Kin - diligence, Shin - prudence/moderation
and Nin - patiently endure one humiliation after another.

Approx. 4Kｍ from Atashika Station to Hadasu Station
1hr. and 30mins.

Hadasu is said to be the place where the illustrious Royal
Doctor Jofuku came from China in search the elixir of life by order of Qin, the ﬁrst
emperor of China. The village is spotted with terraced rice paddies and houses
hugging the slope, and with the many legends and historical spots here, you canreally feel the timelessness of this small hamlet. A species of tree that Jofuku
found to have medical properties now grows at Hadasu and Jofuku Shrines.

Obuki-toge Pass
The Footprint
SpringSite of Otake-chaya Tea House

Jofuku-no-sato Hadasu（Guideboard）
Hadasu Station
The inscribed stone

Jofuku-no-sato Hadasu（milepost）

Hadasu-cho

Nishi-hadasu
Bus Stop

Kumano City

Gravestones of fallen pilgrims
Obuki-togeguchi（Hadasu）Osaki-hanto
Bus Stop

Daikan-shishigakimichi Path

Site of Hionzansensuiji Temple

The Trailhead

Stone Statues
Kannon-michi Path The bamboo
grove
Kiyotaki Falls
Stone Statues
Obuki-toge
To Owase
Pass（205m）
Guideboard

Shishigaki（The stone fence to keep animals out）
Just before you get to the pass, you will
see a wall put up about 300 to protect
the rice paddies and ﬁelds from wildboars and deer.

Inai-ura Beach Noson-koen Park

Shishigaki

Exit of Obuki-toge
Cutting Stone Spot

Odomari
StationDiving Resort
Kumano-nada

Obuki-toge Pass

The Obuki Tea House was open for businesshere until about 1950. They would wrap riceballs and sushi in the leaves of plants called"baran" and "hanamyoga" which they planted
here. The tea house is long gone, but theplants are still here.

Walking Route

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Obuki-togeguchi（Odomari）Bus Stop

Kumanoodomari IC

Obuki-toge Pass Guidepost

Odomari-cho

Odomari Bathing Beach

Matｓumoto-toge
Pass Guidepost
The Trailhead
Matsumoto-toge
Pass（135m）
Guardian Deity

Peninsula

Isozaki-cho
The bamboo grove
From Obuki Pass, a gentle slope descends
through a peaceful beautiful bamboo grove. In
February and March you can see the new shoots
and places where the wild pigs have dug up thisdelicacy among people and boars alike. The
steps can be quite slippery, watch your step.

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）
Promenade

Rest Spot

Onigajyo Center

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Odomari Beach

The beautiful sand beach, the islands oﬀ
the coast and the rocky point called "Oniga Jo" or Demon's Castle make for abreathtaking view.

Approx. 4Km from Hadasu Station to Odomari Station
2hrs.

This course provides rare view of the stone
path descending through a extensive bamboo grove. The gentle
slopes, wonderful views and a peaceful atmosphere make this an
enjoyable course. After coming down from the mountain, the view of
the coast will melt away any fatigue you may have from the walk.

20

Kannon-michi Pass Route
Site of Hionzanseisuiji Temple

HadasuOtao-yama Mount Guideboard

Batou kannon Hayagriva

Kumano City

Walking Route

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Stone
Statues

Shorinji Temple

To Otao-yama Mount
Guideboard to Hadasu

Nishi-hadasu Bus Stop

Stone Path
Hadasu Station
There is the statue of
Daikan-shishigaki- Hadasu the Trailhead
Sanjyusan-Kannon
michi
Path
on the way.
Kiyotaki Falls
Viewing Spotine
Signpost
Obuki-togeguchi（Hadasu）Bus Stopei L
Kis unnel
R
J
T
i
k
Obu
The trailhead of the Kannon-michi
Stone buddhist Statues lined up along the Path
Shiba
Obuki-toge Pass
Shrine（205m）
Seitaiji Temple
Odomari Station
Obuki-togeguchi（Odomari）
Bus Stop

Kumanoodomari
IC

OdomariIsozaki

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Approx. 3.8Kｍ
1hr. and 40mins.

Back when the Kannon
Faith was popular, many travelers used thisreligious route with its 33 Kannon statues
instead of Obuki Pass. On the anniversary of
the Kannon's death, many came to pray. They
had stands selling sushi and confections here
and there and there was quite a bustle ofactivity.

At the top of this route stood
Seisuiji Temple which closed
around the time of WWII. Its
beautiful thousand armed
Kannon statue was brought
here to Seitaiji Temple for safe
keeping. The ﬁrst four statuesof this miniature replica of theWestern Japan 33 Kannon
Pilgrimage are in the groundsof this temple.

The Kannon statues of Seitaiji Temple
Statues number 5through 15 of theminiature 33 Kannon
pilgrimage are lined
up here. From hereon, you can ﬁnd thestatues along the sideof the stone path as
you make your way
up. They are here to
The trailhead of the Kannon michi relieve your suﬀering.

At the foot of what
we call the Fukuro
Iwa (Owl Rock), you
can ﬁnd 6 Kannon
statuesandan"Ojizosama," anothertype of guardianstatue.
The six stone statues
21

In the small wood
structure shelters an
uncarved rock that
represents the last of the
33 Kannon's, the Bato, orHorse Head Kannon. To
the right is a Kannon
statue from the last temple
on the Western Japan
KannonPilgrimage,Batou kannon Hayagriva Tanigumisankegon-ji.

Matsumoto-toge Pass
Odomari Station

Odomari-cho

Cutting Stone Spot

Kumanoodomari IC

Obuki-toge Pass Guidepost

Kumano City

Odomari Bathing Beach

Matsumoto-toge
Pass Guidepost
The Trailhead
Guardian Deity
Matsumoto-toge
Pass（135m）

The scenery of Shichiri-mihama is amazing.
Promenade
Rest Spot

Paving stonework from the Edo period

Onigajo Center
Onigajo
Senjojiki

This section was repaved about 300 years ago
by skilled masons. You can really appreciate
their skill if you look at their work from the side.
It looks like a stone wall. No mortar or cement
are used in the traditional Japanese masonry.

Registered in the World Heritage List
Sakura-no-michi Promenade
Site of Onigajo Castle
Matsumoto-toge As of March 2016 ,Pass Guidepost some sections of the road are closed.
Kinan Tour Design Center
Kumanokodo-omotenashi-kan Rest spot

The Trailhead

Kinomoto-cho
Kumano-shi
StationIsozaki-cho

Kumano City Hall

Aeon
Supermarket

Walking Route

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Registered in the World Heritage List
Shishi Iwa - The Lion RockThe view from the top

There is a viewpoint with a gazebo about aten minute walk south from the pass. Shichiri
Mihama Beach stretches 25km to Shingu,
where Hayatama Grand Shrine is located.
The view of the beach and the mountains isbreathtaking.

Kumano-nada Sea

Registered in the World Heritage List
Shichiri-mihama Beach
Arii Tunnel
Hananoiwaya
Tunnel

Ido-choDistance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Registered in the World Heritage List
Hananoiwaya
Otsuna-chaya Souvenir Store

Shichiri-mihama Beach

Arii Station
To MihamaMatsumoto-toge Pass

Once you reach the pass, a large guardian statue is there to welcomeyou. Long ago, a hunter set out early in the morning just before thisguardian statue was put up. On returning at dusk, he saw it in the waning
light and mistook it for a phantom. He shot, and even today you can see
the hole where the bullet hit the very day the statue was erected.

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

22

Paving stonework from the Meiji period

In 1868, the ﬁshermen in this area werearrested after getting into a ﬁght over ﬁshing
territories. Their punishment was to repave
sections of the path in need of repair ascommunity service. It took them two years toﬁnish.

Approx. 4.1Kｍ from Odomari Station to Kumano-shi Station
1hr. and 45mins.

The stone path is still intact for most of this route.
The life-size guardian statue welcomes you at the pass, surrounded bybamboo. Beyond the pass, you can see Beach Route to Shingu, no morepasses to go over. Pilgrims must have been excited with their goal insight, the ﬁrst of the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano, Shingu Hayatama
Taisha. For a shorter (but scenic) course, you can continue on past thegazebo, down through the cherry trees to make your way back to
Onigajo and back to Odomari station.

Kumano Streets
Kumano City
Walking Route

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Mｔ. Hanajiro-yama
Gokurakuji Temple

The inscribed stone at Kinomoto
JR Kisei LineoSite of Okukumano Magistrate's oﬃce
aid
Water Tank Stone of Houreki PeriodoKnmaKumano-shi Station
Ku
Kumano City Hall

5 Ubuta
ShrineArii Station

Kinomoto
Tunnell
Matsumotonne
toge Pass lk Tu
a
w
ide
jo S
l
in ga
ne
O
un
u
Rest Spot jo t Sakura-no-michiaig
OnOnigajo

Onigajo

OnigajoCenter
Site of Onigajo Castle
Kinomoto Shrine
Water Tank Stone of Houreki Period
Kinan Tour Design Center
Hon-machi Boulevard
Kumanokodo-omotenashi-kan Rest Spot
Otsuna-chaya
Inekura-inari Shrine
Souvenir Store
Water Tank Stone of Houreki Period
Registered in theRegistered in the World Heritage List
World Heritage List
ShishiIwa - The Lion RockShichiri-mihama Beach
Registered in the World Heritage List
Kumano-nada Sea
Hananoiwaya
Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）
Kumano Historical Folk Museum

Hananoiwaya

Onigajo has been designated as a National
Natural Treasure for its scenic beauty. Thistuﬀ, formed from hardened volcanic ash wasraised up by earthquakes and then eroded by
the sea and wind to form this magniﬁcentrock formation that stretches for 1km.
Legend has it that a general was sent here todrive out the demon pirates that held up here,
and that he shot an arrow from an island justoﬀ the coast to slay their leader. This isregistered as part of the Unesco World
Heritage of the Kii mountain range.

One of Japan's ﬁrst written records of myth tellsof the goddess, Izanami, who with her husband
gave birth to the many Shinto deities. She
burned to death when giving birth to Kagutsuchi,
the ﬁre god, and he also soon died. They are said
to be laid to rest here. The 45 meter high rock is
Izanami's grave stone, while the one opposite
hers is the graves stone of Kagutsuchi. Because
this predates Shinto, back to the days of Nature
Worship, there is no shrine building. This is also
registered as part of the Unesco World Heritageof the Kii mountain range.

Shishi Iwa - The Lion RockThis huge 25m high rock called "Shishi
Iwa" is a designated National Natural
Treasure for its scenic beauty and isregistered as part of the Unesco World
Heritage of the Kii mountain range. Theysay that this, along with another rock are
the guardians of Kumano's Oma Shrine
up in the mountains.

Kinan Tour Design Center
Built about 130 years ago by one of
Kumano's timber tycoons, Kisaburo
Okugawa for his private residence, it
now serves as a culture center and aplace to take a break and enjoy the
chance to get an inside, close-up look at
a traditional Japanese house.

Grave of Magoichi Suzuki

5This is said to be the place where theabove-mentioned Izanami gave birth to herchildren. From ancient times, religious
ceremonies have been held here to pray
for safe birth and child-raising.

Ubuta Shrine
23

Yokogaki-toge Pass

※As of March 2016 , the road is closed to traﬃc due to landslides.

Closed section

Hiyodori-yama Washinosu-yama
Mount
Mount
812.8m807m
Walking Route

Konogi

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Mihama Town
Kawase-Oku-gawaRiver

Ippoippo
Bus Stop

Washinosu
Pond
The stone lantern of Kameshima

Takachira-san
Mount
Grave of Yakuro Mine
625m
Gandoin Temple

KonogiCommunity Hall
Walking throughHut a tangerine Orchard Yokogaki-toge
Pass Guidepost
Mizutsubo
Jizo
Hut
Yokogaki- To
togeUniting at a
Arima
Forestry Road Nakayoshi noboriguchi
Bus Stop
Saka-no-toge Path
StationKonogi-Sakamoto（Rest Spot）
Rest Spot Forestry Road
Nishi-no-mineMount
593.2mYokogaki-toge
Pass（305m）
Oriyama Shrine

Kumano-kodo-chiiki-centerSagiri-no-sato
TakachiraBus Stop

Sakamoto Guardian
Sakamotogawa
River

Oroshi Hamlet

Yokogaki-toge
Pass Guidepost

DistanceDeity
in 1835

We can see ﬂight
of Asagimadara.
Stone Path
Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

Shin-myojin-dakiTunnelThe Kumano ancient pilgrimage
route from Ise forks at Hanano Iwaya Shrine. The
fork that goes along the beach to Shingu is called
Hamakaido and the fork which leads to Hongu iscalled Hongudo. This route on the Hongudo whichgoes over Yokogaki Pass is well paved with the
Konogi Rhyolite stone characteristic to this area.

Just next to Mizutsubo guardianstatue is a spring whichmagically sprang fourth when
the famous Kobodaishi poked ahole in the ground with hiswalking stick here. Kobodaishi is
Kukai's posthumous name. He iswell known as the founder of Mt.
Koya and there are many stories
around Japan like this one about
how he made a spring simply
Mizutsubo Jizo and the spring by poking a hole in the ground.
In the middle of terraced
rice ﬁeld stands a big
rock called Kameshima(turtle island). It is 5
meters high and 25m
in circumference. Thereis a stone lantern built
on the top of it.

Tectonic activity caused
the magma to harden withripples producing Konogi
Rhyolite, a type of stone
unique to this area. Wild
ﬂowers add color to thestone path through all of
the seasons.

There is a clear viewto the east and thesea of Kumano canbe seen on a clear
day.

Yokogaki-toge Pass

Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Approx. 5.4Kｍ from Yokogaki-toge-noboriguchi
Bus Stop to Takachira Bus Stop
2hrs. and 10mins.

Stone path paved with Konogi Rhyolite
24

The stone lantern of Kameshima

Fuden-toge Pass
Exit of Maruyama Senmaida

Maruyama
Senmaida

ActiveCenterRest Spot
Maruyama-gawa River

Maruyama-bashi
Biridge
The Viewpoint

Koyasu guardianstatueSenmaida-Tori-togePass iriguchi Bus Stop

Tori-toge
Pass Guidepost

Tori-toge Pass（390m）

Takachira-san
Mount

Yanokawa
Walking Route

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
World Heritage Signpost

Fuden-toge Pass
（257m）（Hokai monument）

A local general named
Oroshi built a castle
here, but it was taken
down and a school wasbuilt on the location.
You can see remnantsof the original castle
here and there aroundthe school like the one
in this picture.

625m
Oroshi Shrine
Kumano-kodo-chiiki-centerSagiri-no-sato Store

Ippoippo
Bus Stop

Fuden-chaya
of Kawase-jyo
Tea House Site
Castle Monument

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

Ruins of Oroshi Castle

Fuden-toge
Pass Guidepost

Self Service
Fude
Marketn Tunnel

Ushiroji Bus Stop

Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Kawase-Oku-gawa
River

Road to Tori-toge Pass

Itaya-gawa River

Kumano City

Mihama Town

Water Tank

HousesTo
Doro-kyo Gorge

Distance

Signpost

Big Cedar of
Uwano

TakachiraBus Stop
Ruins of
Oroshi Castle

Guardian
Deity

AroundOroshiThe Trailhead

Uwano

Mile Stone

Site of
Oroshi Sake shop
The moss-covered stone
path leads you througha cryptomeria forest.
This is the same Konogi
Rhyolite stone found on
the previous route.

The stone path
25

Approx. 4.1Kｍｆrom Takachira
Bus Stop to Ushiroji Bus Stop
1hr. and 30mins.

This was the main road connecting the costal region with the mountain villages. The route
starts among the rice paddies and views of the surrounding mountains in the quiet neighborhood of Oroshi. The
moss-covered stone path makes its way up the slope. In
addition to serving as a pilgrimage route, this road was
also important for trade between the mountain villages
and the ﬁshing villages on the coast from long, long ago.

At the foot of Fuden Pass if
you are lucky, you can see anatural phenomenon called
Fuden Oroshi. It occurs
between fall and spring earlyin the morning on days when
there is a big diﬀerence in airpressure between the oceanside and inland side of thispass. This causes a thick fog
that pours over the pass andFuden Oroshi on down the slope.
Just a little way up fromthe road is the pass. This
pass was a strategic
place used many timethrough history fromwhich to base a siege on
Kumano. Among others,
the famous Hideyoshi
Toyotomi who built
Osaka Castle used thisFuden-toge Pass and the Hokai monument point.

Tori-toge Pass Maruyama-senmaida
Active Center

Kumano City

Exit of Maruyama Senmaida
Maruyama Senmaida
Senmaida-so
Auto-camping Sites

Rest
Spot

Maruyama-bashi
BridgeWater Wheel
The Big RockForestryRoad

The stone pathThe
viewpoint

Guidepost ofTori-toge Pass Exit

Maruyama-gawa River

a

aw

-g

ya

Ita

The view point which is perched on thesteep mountain side looks down on 7.2
hectares of beautiful terraced rice paddies.
Records from 1601 show that there were2,240 paddies in all at that time.

Koyasu guardian statue of Tori-toge Pass
Like most passes, there is usually a brisk
wind here. This guardian statue was put
here in 1851. The name "Koyasu" means"child safety."

Right in the middle of the terraced ricepaddies of Maruyama Senmaida stands ahuge boulder which accentuates the view.

Tori-toge Pass
（390m）

r

ve

Ri

ot
Sp
iew
V
d
Roa
Koyasu guardian
awa
k
o
n
statue
o-ya
n
a
Kum

The viewpoint

Though rather narrow, about 800 metersof the stone path remain intact. With
things like the remnants of a charcoal kiln,
you can get an idea of what life was likelong ago.

The stone path
Water Tank
Site of
Yanokawa
Elementary
SchoolTo
Doro-kyo
Gorge

Guidepost of Tori-toge Pass
the Trailhead
HousesDistance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Senmaida-Tori-toge-iriguchi Bus Stop
Ushiroji
Bus Stop

Parking Lot
Restroom（toilet）

The Big RockApprox. 7.9Kｍ
2hrs. and 20mins.

Once you come down from Fuden Pass, the road forks,
left to take the road to Hongu, right to go through Maruyama, to Kitayama and on, all
the way to Yoshino on the other side of the mountains. This route is not registeredas part of the Unesco Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range,
but has been used by the people in this area to get to the neighboring villages formany centuries. A walk through Senmaida will certainly satisfy your desire to see
rice terraces and give you a feel for the Japan of yesteryear.

To
Walking Route Fuden Tunnel

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)

To Route 42
26

Hongu-michi Kawabata-kaido Route Drive Course
To Yoshino

To Tamaki-yama
Mount

To Owase

From Kamase-no-watashi
to Yoshino
Kumano City
Site of
Akagi-jyoCastleMaruyama
Kumano-shi Station
Kitayama-michi
Senmaida
Path
Mine
OnigajyoMuseumTori-toge Yokogaki-toge
Hananoiwaya Shrine
Pass
Souvenir Store
Pass

Doro-kyo
Gorge

Tamakiguti-nowatashi Ferry
Kitayamagawa
River
To
Hongu

To NaraHongu-doRoad
Suisha-daniValleyItaya
The Viewpoint
at Yuhi-no-oka-doHonguadRo
Fuden-toge
Pass

Maruyama Senmaida

Built in the heart of the mountains, terraced rice paddies
march up the slope, one after the other to form thissplendid view covering 7.2 hectares. There is a viewpointwith parking looking down on this window to old Japan.

Hama- Tateishi
Kaido Signpost
Road

Mihama Town

The hall for Yojiyakushi
Kumano-nada Sea
Kawabata（Kawatake）-kaido Road
To
Signpost of
Atawa
HonguShichiri-mihama
Guardian Deity Kiho Town
Stationtaisha Miwa-ohashi Site of
BeachShrineBridgeMimoto-myojin Shrine
Senji-gaeri
Site ofDirve Course
Yoji-no-watashi
Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
Ferry
the UNESCO world Heritage List)
Hisetsu
Falls
Kumano-gawaSite ofRiver
Site of
Asari-no-watashi
Ushihana-no-watashi Ferry
Hongu-do Road andFerry
Kawabata(Kawatake)Site of Narukawa-no-watashi Ferry
kaido Road had bad roadconditions for walking.
Site of Asuka-no-watashi Ferry
Mifune-jima Island
Shingu Stationof
Shingu City Site
Otomo-no-watashi
Ferry
Kumano-hayatama-taisha
ShrineParking Lot
Restroom（toilet） To
Kumano-nachi-taisha
ShrineThe hall for Yojiyakushi

A big willow tree was cut down here to use in theconstruction of the Sanjūsangen-dō Temple in Kyoto.
It is said that a dryad lived in the tree and later amemorial to her was built for the Dryad of the Willow.

To
Nachi-katsuura

Hisetsu Falls
For the people here, this waterfall is aplace to ﬁnd peace and solace. Thereused to be a tea house here for raftsmen
who ﬂoated timber from up stream to themarket down in Shingu. There were a lotof people passing by in the old days.

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

27

The three-sail riverboat

A thousand years ago, the imperial family and otherroyalty would travel between Hongu and Shingu inriverboats on their pilgrimages to the Three Grand
Shrine of Kumano or Kumano Sanzan. This three-sailed
riverboat was a thriving business about 100 years ago.

Approx. 60Kｍ from Hanano Iwaya Shrine to Kiho Town
from 2hrs. and 30mins. to 3hrs.

Starting in Hanano Iwaya Shrine in Kumano, youhead inland along the road to Hongu, then down along the Kumano
River which you ﬁnally cross to reach Shingu. This course has many
famous spots and historical places to visit on the way. You can also
see some of the many faces of Kumano, views of the Sea of Kumano,
the mountains, traditional villages and the Kumano river on this drive.

Hama-kaido Route（North）
Kumano-shi Station
Ido-gawa River

Ubuta Shrine
Arii Station

Kumano City

Kumano City Hall
Shishi Iwa The Lion RockWalking trailon the beachHananoiwaya
Historical Folk Museum
Tateishi Signpost

The signpost in Arima
There is a signpost here marking the fork
in the road from Ise, "left for the Beach
Route to Shingu, right on the Hongu Route,but the road is hard going up to Konogi."

Kumano Kodo Guidepost

Walking trail on the beach
The Milestone of Arima
Ubuta-gawa River
Shiwara-gawa River

Mihama Town

Koshiyama Station

Kumano-UdonoRoad

Shichiri-mihama
Beach

Kumano-nada Sea

The Dragon Deity Tower
Gravestones of fallen pilgrims
Walking Route

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)

The Water Deity monument near the beachThis area was very susceptible to the sea waterﬂooding into the town and ﬁelds. To protect
themselves from these natural disasters, they put
up this monument honoring the Deity of Water.
Later, ﬂoodgates were built for added security.

Walking trail on the beachKii-ichigi Station

Ichigi-gawa River

Midori-bashi Bridge
Sengen-san Mount（209.8m）

Chigo-zuka（Milestone）
Oroshi-gawa River

Atawa Station

Gravestones of fallen pilgrims

In the old days there were no bridges across the rivers ﬂowing
into the Sea of Kumano, so pilgrims had to dash across theshallows at the river mouth between waves. Here at Shiwara
Gawajiri there stands a memorial monument to those who
didn't make it across and were swallowed by the sea.

The Water Deity monument near
the beach

The milestone of Ichigi
Kesho-no-mizu（Kisei-no-mizu）
Mihama Towm Oﬃce

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Shichiri-mihama Beach Promenade
Michi-no-eki Park
Shichiri-mihama
Parking Lot
Rest Station

Approx. 12.2Kｍ from Kumano-shi Station to Atawa Station
4hrs.

From the city of Kumano, along the Shichiri
Mihama Beach, pilgrims made their way towards Hayatama Shrine in
Shingu. There are no passes to cross on this ﬂat stretch of road, butmany pilgrims lost their lives on the treacherous river crossings on
the beach. The distance is long, so it requires a degree of physicalstrength.

Restroom（toilet）※AS of March 2016 , please make a detourthe sidewalk of Route 42 from Mihama town
oﬃce to Michi-no-eki Park Shichiri-mihama
Rest Station because of the typhoon damage.

The milestone of Ichigi
There used to be one of these milestones
on each side of the path, but one of themwent missing during the road construction in 1962.

28

Hama-kaido Route（South）
Shichiri-mihama
Beach Promenade

Atawa Station

Michi-no-eki Park
Shichiri-mihama Rest Station

Mihama Town
Oroshi-gawa River

Kumano-nada Sea

Walk the pavement

The grave of Rokubu

In the woods running along the coast stands a
grave put up in the Edo period (1603 to 1868)
for lives lost on the way to pray at the Kumano
Three Grand Shrines (Kumano Sanzan).

The grave of Rokubu

Ida-gawa River
Small shrine
Michi-no-eki
Umigame-koen Rest Station

Ida-kannon Temple
Oeboshi-yama Mount

Monument Saint Tokuhon
Memorial Monument ofSaint ﬁshing ancestorsKii-ida Station
The Milestone of Ida

Konouchi Shrine
Stone Statue of Michibiki

Iimori Shrine

The former ferry landing
Mifune-jima Island
Kumano-gawa
River
Kumano-hayatama-taisha Shrine

Walking RouteRemnants of the Kajihana Oji Shrine

Kumano Kodo(Area registerd on
the UNESCO world Heritage List)

While Oji shrines are quite common between Kyoto
and Nachi, this is one of the very few Oji shrines on
the road from Ise. The shrine used to be by the rock
bluﬀ from which it gets its name, but it was moved
here after twice being washed away by tsunamis.

Yokote-enmei
Guardian Statue
Remnants of
the Kajihana Oji Shrine

The former ferry landing

After their long journey, pilgrims took aferry across the Kumano River to ﬁnallyreach Hayatama Shrine, the ﬁrst of the
Kumano Sanzan.

By

pa

ss

Kiho Town

Mimikiri-zaka
Kayumori-sama
Small Shrine

Monument Saint Tokuhon and Ebisu

A monument to glorify Saint Tokuhon andanother enshrined with Ebisu, the Japanese
god of ﬁshermen and luck. There used to be
an inn and a tea house here where pilgrims
and raftsmen would stop for a break.

Distance
Walking timeL e v e l
The Course

Udono Station
Udono Port
Kiho Town Oﬃce
Hokyointo Stone Monument
Udono Shrine
Site of Udono Castle
Parking Lot
The former ferry landing
Restroom（toilet）
Kinegatani Shrine

Approx. 14.4Kｍ from Atawa Station to Shingu Station
5hrs.

This course oﬀers some beautiful views of the hills and ends at theriver that was registered as a part of the Unesco World Heritage Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii
Mountain Range, Kumano River. Across the river is the holy land where Buddha manifests in theform of the indigenous "kami" or gods of Kumano. Pilgrims must have felt very excited to ﬁnallyhave Hayatama Shrine in view! After praying at Kumano Hayatama Taisha, they would continue
their journey to the other two grand shrines of Kumano Sanzan, Nachi Taisha and Hongu Taisha.

Shingu Station
29

Distance and walking time（Standard time with English Guide）
3

Nisaka-toge Pass

Approx. 7.5Kｍ,2hrs. and 30mins. From Umegadani Station to Kii-Nagashima Station

4

Tsuzurato-toge Pass

Approx. 9.5Kｍ,4hrs. From Umegadani Station to Kii-Nagashima Station

6

Ikkoku Hirakata Miura-toge Pass

Approx. 7.6Kｍ,3hrs. From Kata-kyokai-mae Bus Stop to Minose Station

7

Hajikami-toge Pass①

Approx. 3.5Kｍ,1hr. and 50mins. From Hajikami-sakura-hiroba Area Space to Hajikami-sakura-hiroba Area Space

7

Hajikami-toge Pass②

Approx. 4.8Kｍ,2hrs. From Hajikami-sakura-hiroba Area Space to Ofune-bashi Bridge

8

Magose-toge Pass

Umegadani Station → 2.8Km 50mins → Nisaka-toge Pass → 1.5Km 45mins. → Starting Point → 1.9Km 30mins. → Michi-no-eki Kii-nagashima Manbou Rest
Station → 1.3Km 25mins. → Kii-Nagashima Station
Umegadani Station → 3.5Km 1hr. and 10mins. → Starting Point (Tochiko) → 0.6Km 30mins. → Tsuzurato-toge Pass → 1.2Km 1hr. → Starting Point(Shiko-oku) → 2.4Km 50mins. → R422 → 1.8Km 30mins. → Kii-Nagashima Station
Kata-kyokai-mae Bus Stop→ 0.8Km 25mins. → Ikkoku-toge Pass → 0.5Km 15mins. → Hirakata-toge Pass → 3.8Km 1hr. and 20mins. → Miura-toge Pass
Starting Point (Doze) → 0.5Km 20mins. → Miura-toge Pass → 1.3Km 30mins. → Miura-toge Pass Starting Point (Miura) → 0.7Km 10mins. → Minose Station
Hajikami-sakura-hiroba Area Space → 0.5Km 10mins. → Edo-michi Road → 1.0Km 45mins. → Hajikami-toge Pass → 1.8Km 50mins. → Meiji-michi Road →0.2Km 5mins. → Hajikami-sakura-hiroba Area Space
Hajikami-sakura-hiroba Area Space → 0.5Km 10mins. → Edo-michi Road → 1.0Km 45mins. → Hajikami-toge Pass → 2.1Km 45mins. → Miyatani-ike Pond →1.2Km 20mins. → Ofune-bashi Bridge

Approx. 5.2Kｍ,2hrs. and 45mins. From Michi-no-eki Miyama Rest Station to Owase Station

Michi-no-eki Miyama Rest Station → 0.6Km 10mins. → Washige Bus Stop → 1.6Km 1hr. And 10mins. → Magose-toge Pass → 0.9Km 40mins. → Magosekoen Park → 2.1Km 45mins. → Owase Station

10 Crossing Yakiyama Mount

Approx. 10.1Kｍ,5hrs. From Mie prefecture Kumano-kodo Center to Mikisato Station

11 Miki-toge Hago-toge Pass

Approx. 6Kｍ,3hrs. From Mikisato Station to Kata Station

12 Sone-jirozaka-tarozaka Pass

Approx. 5.7Kｍ,3hrs. From Kata Station to Nigishima Station

13 Nigishima-toge Okamizaka-toge Pass

Approx. 4.6Kｍ,3hrs. From Nigishima Station to Atashika Station

14 Hadasu-no-michi Pass RouteApprox. 4Kｍ,1hr. and 30mins. From Atashika Station to Hadasu Station

Mie prefecture Kumano-kodo Center → 0.6Km 10mins. → Mukai-nisi Bus Stop → 0.4Km 10mins. → Starting Point → 3.8Km 2hrs. and 20mins. → Miki-toge
Pass → 2.5Km 1hr. and 20mins. → Starting Point → 2.8Km 1hr. → Mikisato Station
Mikisato Station → 1.9Km 45mins. → Starting Point → 0.5Km 25mins. → Miki-toge Pass → 0.3Km 15mins. → Starting Point → 1.6Km 35mins. → Starting
Point → 0.2Km 10mins. → Hago-toge Pass → 0.7Km 25mins. → Starting Point → 0.8Km 25mins. → Kata Station
Kata Station → 1.3Km 30mins. → Starting Point(Sone) → 1.3Km 1hr. → Hobo-toge Pass → 2.6Km 1hr. and 15mins. → Starting Point (Junction of Route311) → 0.5Km 15mins. → Nigishima Station
Nigishima Station → 0.6Km 25mins. → Starting Point (Junction of Route 311) → 0.8Km 50mins. → Nigishima-toge Pass → 0.6Km 30mins. → Okamizakatoge Pass → 1.6Km 1hr. → Starting Point (Atashika) → 1.0Km 15mins. → Atashika Station

Atashika Station → 2.5Km 50mins. → Hadasu-no-michi Pass Route（World heritage part）→ 0.3Km 10mins. → Hadasu-jinjya Shrine → 1.2Km 30mins. →Hadasu Station
30

Distance and walking time（Standard time with English Guide）
Approx. 4Kｍ,2hrs. From Hadasu Station to Odomari Station

15 Obuki-toge Pass

Hadasu Station → 1.5Km 40mins. → Starting Point(Hadasu) → 0.5Km 25mins. → Obuki-toge Pass → 1.2Km 45mins. → Starting Point(Odomari) → 0.8Km
10mins. → Odomari Station

16 Kannon-michi Pass Route①

Approx. 3.8Kｍ,1hr. and 40mins. From Odomari Station to Odomari Station

16 Kannon-michi Pass Route②

Approx. 5.2Kｍ,3hrs. From Odomari Station to Odomari Station

Odomari Station → 1.0Km 15mins. → Starting Point(Kannon-michi Pass Route) → 0.9Km 50mins. → Sensui-ji Temple → 0.9Km 20mins. → Starting
Point(Kannon-michi Pass Route) → 1.0Km 15mins. → Odomari Station
Odomari Station → 1.0Km 15mins. → Starting Point(Kannon-michi Pass Route) → 0.9Km 50mins. → Sensui-ji Temple → 0.5Km 15mins. → Junction of Hadasu Otao-yama
Mount Daikan-shishigaki-michi Path→ 0.8Km 45mins. → Obuki-toge Pass → 1.2Km 45mins.→ Starting Point(Odomari) → 0.8Km 10mins. → Odomari Station

17 Matsumoto-toge Pass ①

Approx. 4.1Kｍ,1hr. and 45mins. From Odomari Station to Kumano-shi Station

17 Matsumoto-toge Pass ②

Approx. 5.6Kｍ,2hrs. and 30mins. From Odomari Station to Ａｒｉ
ｉStation

17 Matsumoto-toge Pass ③

Approx. 4.9Kｍ,2hrs. and 10mins. From Odomari Station to Odomari Station

19 Yokogaki-toge Pass

Approx. 5.4Kｍ,2hrs. and 10mins. From Yokogaki-toge-noboriguchi Bus Stop to Takachira Bus Stop

20 Fuden-toge Pass

Approx. 4.1Kｍ,1hr. and 30mins. From Takachira Bus Stop to Ushiroji Bus Stop

21 Tori-toge Pass Maruyama-Senmaida

Approx. 7.9Kｍ,2hrs. and 20mins. From Senmaida-Tori-toge-irigudhi Bus Stop to Senmaida-Tori-toge-irigudhi Bus Stop

23 Hama-kaido Route（North）

Approx. 12.2Kｍ,4hrs. From Kumano-shi Station to Atawa Station(Michi-no-eki Park Shichiri-mihama Rest Station)

24 Hama-kaido Route（South）

Approx. 14.4Kｍ,5hrs. From Atawa Station(Michi-no-eki Park Shichiri-mihama Rest Station) to Shingu Station

Odomari Station → 1.0Km 15mins. → Starting Point(Odomari) → 0.4Km 25mins. → Matsumoto-toge Pass → 0.3Km 10mins. → Rest Spot → 0.3Km
10mins. → Matsumoto-toge Pass → 0.3Km 15mins.→ Starting Point(Kinomoto) → 1.8Km 30mins. → Kumano-shi Station
Odomari Station → 1.0Km 15mins. → Starting Point(Odomari) → 0.4Km 25mins. → Matsumoto-toge Pass → 0.3Km 10mins. → Rest Spot → 0.3Km
10mins. → Matsumoto-toge Pass → 0.3Km 15mins.→ Starting Point(Kinomoto) → 2.3Km 1hr. → Hana-no-iwaya Shrine → 1.0Km 15mins. → Arii Station
Odomari Station → 1.0Km 15mins. → Starting Point(Odomari) → 0.4Km 25mins. → Matsumoto-toge Pass → 0.3Km 10mins. → Rest Spot → 0.6Km
25mins. → Site of Oni-ga-jyo Castle → 0.7Km 25mins.→ Oni-ga-jyo → 0.9Km 15mins. → Starting Point(Odomari) → 1.0Km 15mins. → Odomari Station
Yokogaki-toge-noboriguchi Bus Stop → 1.2Km 30mins. → Starting Point(Junction of Forestry Road) → 1.5Km 30mins. → Yokogaki-toge Pass → 0.7Km
10mins. → Starting Point(Sakamoto) → 2.0Km 1hr. → Takachira Bus Stop
Takachira Bus Stop → 2.0Km 45mins. → Starting Point(Oroshi) → 0.9Km 25mins. → Fuden-toge Pass → 0.6Km 10mins. → Starting Point(Junction of
Route 311) → 0.6Km 10mins. → Ushiroji Bus Stop
Senmaida-Tori-toge-iriguchi Bus Stop → 0.9Km 10mins. → Starting Point(Yanokawa) → 1.4Km 30mins. → Tori-toge Pass → 0.8Km 25mins. → Ovservation Platform → 0.8Km 15mins. → Tori-toge
Pass → 0.7Km 10mins. → Starting Point(Maruyama) → 1.7Km 20mins. → Maruyama-senmaida Thousand Paddy Field(Big Rock) → 1.6Km 30mins. → Senmaida-Tori-toge-iriguchi Bus Stop
Kumano-shi Station → 12.2Km 4hrs. → Atawa Station(Michi-no-eki Park Shichiri-mihama Rest Station)

Atawa Station(Michi-no-eki Park Shichiri-mihama Rest Station) → 5.0Km 1hr. and 50mins. → Michi-no-eki Umigame-koen Rest Station → 7.6Km 2hrs. and45mins. → Kumano-hayatama-taisha Shrine → 1.8Km 25mins. → Shingu Station31

Access Guide
Kyoto

res

sw

ay
Kameyama Jct

Ise Expressway

Hanwa Expressway

Iseokitsu

Tsu

Ise-nakagawa

Kisei Expressway

Mie Prefecture
Omiya-odai IC

High-speed Craft

Taki

Ise IC
Ise-Jingu Shrine

Toyota Jct
Hamamatsu IC

Handa-chuo Jct

FutamiIse

Nagoya IC

Nagoya-minami IC

Ise-wan Bay

Matsusaka

Seiwa-taki Jct
YoshinoChubu Centrair
International Airport

Ise-seki IC

Yamato-yagi

Wakayama

Takabari Jct
Nagoya Expressway
Isewangan Expressway Odaka IC

Yokkaichi Jct

Hisai IC

Kusunoki JCT Kamiyashiro JctyNishi-meihan Expressway
Matsubara
Tenri IC
Jct

Exp

Nagoya

wa

Nara

hin

ess

Fuse

eis

Nagoya-nishi IC

xpr

Kansai International Airport

SaidaijiHigashimeihan Expressway

n-m

Chita-chuo Highways

HinenoKinki Expressway

Osaka
Osaka-nanba
AirportTennoji

Komaki Jct
To Tokyo
Chuo Expressway
Nagoya Airport

ei E

Shin Osaka
Shi

Komaki IC

Ritto-higashi IC
Meishin Expressway

Kyoto-minami IC Kusatsu Jct

Osaka

For Railways:Kinki Nihon Tetsudo Telephone Center（Nagoya）Tel:
For Buses: Miekotsu Nanki Oﬃce
Tel:

Tom

To KobeFor up-to-date information and further details, please contact the following
For all stations of JR Tokai, contact each station individually.

To TokyoMorozaki
Irako
Ferry
Toba

Hamanako

Umegadani

Kisei-ouchiyama IC

Kii-tanabe

Miyama IC
Owase-kita IC

Owase

Mie prefecture Kumano-kodo Center
Mikisato IC
Kata IC
Kumano-nada Sea
Kumanoatashika IC

Owase-minami IC
Kumano Hongu-taisha Shrine
Kumanoodomari IC
Nanki-tanabe IC
Kumano Nachitaisha Shrine

Shirahama

Kumano City

Kumano Hayatamataisha Shrine

Kyoto Station

Approx. 1hr. and 45mins. by
JR Shinkansen（Nozomi）

Osaka-Nanba Station
Iseshi Station

Nagoya Station

Kihoku Town Kisei-kotsu
Tel:
Tel:
Owase City Owase Hire
Tel:
Crystal Taxi
Kumano City Kumano-daiichi Taxi Tel:
Crystal Taxi
Tel:
Iruka Hire
Tel:
Tel:
Mihama Town Mihama Taxi

ShinguApprox. 1hr. and 10mins. byKintetsu Limited Express

Approx. 1hr. and 15mins. by
JR Limited Express（Wide View Nanki）

Matsusaka Station

Tokyo Station

Higashi Kishu Taxis

Hana-no-iwaya Shrine

Kii-katsuura

Access by Train

Shinkansen
JR（Japan Railway）
Kintetsu Corporation
Expressway
National Roads
Ferry

Kii-nagashima

Kii-nagashima IC

Gobo

Ugata

Approx. 1hr. and 50mins. by Kintetsu Limited Express
Approx. 1hr. and 30mins. by Kintetsu Limited Express
Approx. 13mins. by Kintetsu Limited Express
Approx. 23mins. by JR Rapid Train（Mie）

Kii-nagashima Station
Shingu Station
Owase Station
Kumanoshi Station
Approx. 1hr.
Approx. 20mins.
Approx. 30mins.
Approx. 20mins.
by JR Limited Expressby JR Limited Expressby JR Limited Expressby JR Limited Express（Wide View Nanki）（Wide View Nanki）（Wide View Nanki）（Wide View Nanki）

Access by Bus
Omiya,
Ikebukuro
NagoyaKii-nagashima

Approx. 8hrs. by Mie Kotsu or Seibu Bus Expressway Bus（one overnight bus per day）

Approx. 2hrs. and 30mins. by Mie Kotsu Nagoya-Nanki Expressway Bus

Tsu and
Matsusaka

Owase

Approx. 40mins.

Approx. 30mins.

KumanoApprox. 1hr. and 40mins. by Mie Kotsu Nanki Expressway Bus

Access by Car
NagoyaApprox. 40mins. via Higashi-meihan Expressway

Osaka

Approx. 20mins.
via Meishin Expressway
Approx. 30mins.
via Nishi-meihan Expressway

Iseshi area

Kusatsu Jct
Tenri IC

Kameyama Jct

Approx. 45mins.
via Shin-meishin Expressway
Approx. 1hr. and 10mins.
via Meihan National road

Ise-Seki IC

Approx. 40mins.
via Ise Expressway
Approx. 40mins.
via Ise Expressway
Approx. 30mins.
via Ise Expressway

Seiwa-taki Jct

Kyoto

Kameyama Jct

Kii-nagashima IC
Approx. 30mins.
via Kisei Expressway

Miyama IC

Approx. 15mins.
via Kisei Expressway

Approx. 20mins. via Ise Expressway

33

Owase-kita IC

Approx. 8mins.
via Kisei Expressway

Approx. 10mins.
via Route 42

Owase-minami IC

Kumano-Odomari IC

Approx. 20mins.
via Kumano-Owase Road

Shingu City
Approx. 40mins.
via Route 42

Rules of the Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range
The World Heritage, “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range”, is a cultural heritage symbolizing
the spiritual culture of Japan, in which respect and awe towards nature and universe as the source of life and all things
have been inherited in the shape of prayer-giving to deities and Buddhist gods dwelling in mountains or forests.
We hereby make the following promises in walking the pilgrimage routes in order to ensure that the blessings of this
precious property can be shared by people around the world.
1. We promise to protect Heritage of Mankind .
2. We promise to follow the spiritual footsteps of prayers that date back to ancient times.
3. We promise to exchange greetings and smiles for heart-to-heart communication.
4. We promise not to catch animals, pick plants, or bring them in from outside but to care for them.
5. We promise to plan our trip right and equip ourselves sufﬁciently to be on the safe side.
6. We promise not to stray off the roadway.
7. We promise to be careful of ﬁre.
8. We promise to take trash back home and leave the pilgrimage routes clean.

Mie prefecture Kumano-kodo Center

Higashi-Kishu regional organization

The center commemorates theWorld Heritage listing ofKumano Kodo (Iseji) sacredsites and pilgrimage routes in
the Kii Mountain Range. It wasestablished by Mie Prefecture
to inform visitors about
Kumano Kodo and surrounding
areas, mix with local people
and in turn revitalize theregion.

Information [English Speaking Guide]

Kumano-kodo Iseji Kataribe-tomonokai(Guide Association)
Kihoku Oﬃce
At present (as of March 1, 2016), there are many regis1-1 Sakaba-Nishi-Machi, Owase City, Mie-pref, tered english speaking guides who serve as guides along
Kinan Oﬃce
Kumano Kodo Iseji. If you think you need a guide to walk
371 Ido-cho, Kumano City, Mie-pref,
you through Kumano-Kodo Iseji, apply here.
http://www.kumanokodo-iseji.jp.e.uj.hp.transer.com/ http://www.kumanokodo-iseji.jp.e.uj.hp.transer.com/higashikishu/kataribe̲irai.html

Ｔｈｅ following companies have contributed to conservation of Kumano Kodo Iseji
AEON GroupAEON RETAIL Co., Ltd
MAXVALU CHUBU Co., Ltd

The DAISAN BANK, Ltd.

ASAHI BREWERIES, Ltd.

BANKYOPHARMACEUTICAL
Co.,Ltd